Show Notes 176: Cambridge Science Park at 55: How a Trinity College Farm Became the UK's Most Influential Innovation Hub

When Trinity College decided to transform a former farm—complete with redundant railway sidings and stored US Army tanks—into the UK's first science park in 1970, they took a calculated risk that would reshape Cambridge's entire innovation ecosystem. Fast forward 55 years, and Cambridge Science Park remains a masterclass in how to build thriving communities for deep tech and life science companies.

We caught up with Jane Hutchins, Director of Cambridge Science Park, on the Cambridge Tech Podcast for an illuminating conversation about what makes science parks tick, why green space matters more than ever, and where the sector is heading next.

The Weekly Headlines: Cambridge's Innovation Pulse

Before diving into the main interview, the podcast opened with some brilliant news from the Cambridge ecosystem:

1. Six Cambridge companies featured in the Sunday Times 100 Tech listing with five more on the 'ones to watch' list.

2. Syndicate Room launched the SR Carryback EIS Fund1 to address the scale-up gap in UK startups

3. Leadership moves at HutanBio - new CEO Manshu Agarwal, who previously raised $100M for sustainable aviation fuel.

4. Code Club launches monthly Saturday coding sessions at Bradfield Centre for young people.

5. TechNation's UK Founder and Investor Survey now live, with a £1,000 prize draw for participants

Why Science Parks Still Matter

Jane's perspective on science parks is refreshingly practical. They're not mystical innovation factories—they're specialised property assets with a crucial difference:

"A science park is fundamentally a property asset... but it will always have some sort of policy filter on it, so that the companies based on it have to be operating in a certain sector."

The real magic? Lower failure rates. Companies on science parks succeed more often because they get access to business support, mentoring, and investment in a supportive community of like-minded innovators.

The Cambridge Difference: 25+ Parks, Zero Competition

Cambridge is delightfully mad—it has around 25 science parks and innovation spaces. Rather than compete, they collaborate through the Forum for Place, sharing challenges and best practices. As Jane puts it:

"We're a very collaborative bunch. We share ideas, we share what's worked for us in Southampton, in Cambridge, in Leicester, in Scotland, wherever you might be."

Opening Up: From Closed Parks to Public Spaces

Here's what's genuinely exciting: science parks are evolving from gated communities into genuine public assets. Cambridge Science Park's partnership with Cambridge Science Centre has brought over 35,000 visitors in just 18 months—families, school groups, and curious minds exploring STEM.

Jane's vision? A "park of science" where young people can see themselves in the future workforce, where wildlife walks happen monthly, and where innovation isn't hidden behind closed doors.

The Next 30 Years: Growth Without Losing Green Space

The newly minted master plan is ambitious: growing from 2.3 million to 10 million square feet over three decades. The clever bit? The built area will still only occupy a third of the land. Green space, biodiversity, and public access remain sacred.

"We will cherish it and we will enhance the biodiversity... and we want to make it more overtly welcoming to the local community."

Why You Should Listen

Whether you're a founder scouting locations, a VC understanding how ecosystems work, or simply curious about how institutions like Trinity College think long-term, this episode delivers genuine insights. Jane's 18-year journey from Southampton to Cambridge—plus her frank discussion of what actually makes companies succeed—is unmissable.

Listen to the full episode on the Cambridge Tech Podcast and discover why a 55-year-old farm transformation still holds lessons for building the innovation spaces of tomorrow.

Subscribe to the Cambridge Tech Podcast to hear the full conversation.

To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.