Innovation Centres scoop national award

South West Innovation Centres (SWIC) has been named the 2009 Business Incubation Champion in the UKBI (UK Business Incubation) Awards.

SWIC is a division of Torbay Council's regenerative arm, the Torbay Development Agency and currently has three centres at South Devon College in Paignton, Lymington Road in Torquay, and at the Watermark in Ivybridge. They are funded by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) to boost early stage business growth and economic development. The centres offer over 80 desk and office units as well as business support, mentoring and networking events.

Deputy Mayor and Torbay Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Chris Lewis, said: "This award is a fantastic achievement and is great recognition for the work the centres are doing. Improving the Bay's economic prosperity is our number one priority. If we are to create a Torbay that is truly open for business, it is important that we encourage and nurture investment and new ideas."

SWIC Business manager, Adrian Sheen, said: "The centres have only just celebrated their third birthday, so it was a great honour to be presented with such a prestigious award so early in its development. It recognises the centres for supporting the process of business incubation through regional strategy development. Our support of sectors like electronics was also a contributory factor to the award. Since we took on the management of the Watermark at Ivybridge, we have been trying to identify other incubation areas for fledgling businesses to be able to provide the vital support to help them grow."

The Chief Executive of UK Business Incubation, Peter Harman, said: "We are always overwhelmed by the level of entries to our annual awards and we are particularly pleased that South West Innovation Centres have won this years Business Incubation Champion Award. I'm sure this won't be the last time we see them on the winners podium!"

Dr Gavin Wonnacott, SW Regional Development Agency's Head of Incubation, agreed with Peter and added "it is always a delight to visit Adrian and his team in SWIC. Their enterprise, energy and enthusiasm successfully creates the exciting and supportive environment for ambitious business that our investment intended. This award recognises their excellent work."

SWIC and the TDA are now developing a programme of business support workshops for growing companies, called Business Boost. This will focus on employment, export and management finance to help businesses in the area.