The Company
Meet the Exeter Science Park Board
Exeter Science Park Ltd (ESPL), the park developer, has four shareholders:
We have a strategic partnership with the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone.
Click here to view The Exeter Science Park Annual Report for the year to April 2022
(Web resolution PDF)
Nick Ames
Chair
Chief Executive of the SG Group, which includes Supacat, SC Innovation, Proteum and Blackhill Engineering Services, Nick’s extensive private sector experience will help to steer Exeter Science Park towards achieving its vision of becoming a centre of excellence for 3,500 people working in science, technology, engineering, maths and medical (STEMM) industries by 2035.
Nick qualified as a chartered accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) after graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge. Following his time at PwC, Nick spent five years as a divisional finance director and divisional managing director for Serco Group, responsible for clients such as the European Space Agency, European Southern Observatory and nuclear research centre CERN.
He is also a former Board member of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP).
Keri Denton
Keri is the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills at Devon County Council, and has been in post since 2012. She has overall responsibility for implementing the Council’s strategy on economic growth, including investment in economic activity, enterprise, skills and development.
Keri has been an Exeter Science Park board member since 2012.
Drs. Astrid Wissenburg
Drs. Astrid Wissenburg is Director of Research at the University of Exeter, responsible for the delivery of its Research and Impact Strategy and overseeing major new initiatives, including new research institutes, research culture and integrity, and research infrastructure. She also supports academics in the bidding and delivery of research projects, as well as supporting early stage and post-graduate research students.
She spent a decade at the Economic and Social Research Council, including leading on economic and societal impact strategies for all research councils nationally, as well as in senior management roles at various universities. She brings a sound understanding of the national research landscape to the Exeter Science Park Board, which will help to identify opportunities for alignment with ESPL and University of Exeter’s strategic goals.
An experienced trustee and board member, Astrid is currently chair of the Board of Trustees of CRAC/Vitae, the UK’s leading expert in career development for researchers.
Paul Chivers
Paul Chivers is the Managing Director of Evergreen Capital, and brings more than 30 years’ experience of international corporate finance to Exeter Science Park’s board. Paul will advise on corporate governance and finance. Paul holds an honours degree from the University of Liverpool in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and is also an alumnus of London Business School.
During his career, Paul was Global Head of Project, Structured and Commodity Finance for Credit Agricole Indosuez, worked for Deutsche Bank as a senior Managing Director in Structured Credit Trading, and was Head of Emerging Markets bond origination for BNP Paribas fixed income division.
Jane Dumeresque
Jane Dumeresque is a Chartered Accountant and MBA with a distinguished career in finance and business; having worked as a CFO for public and private companies including Lawshare Ltd, Syndicate Asset Management PLC and later AFC Energy PLC.
Jane was more recently Chief Executive of Folk2Folk, a leading FCA-regulated alternative finance lender. Jane was appointed to the ESPL Board in 2018 and is currently a Non-Executive Director a number of high profile organisations.
Matt Hall
Matt is the East Devon District Councillor for Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh and the current Portfolio Holder for Economy. Prior to this in Dorset he held many positions within Local Government including chairing Audit and Governance for Dorset Unitary Council.
After re-training, a few years ago a Masters degree in Urban Planning was achieved leading to a position as a Planner for Exeter City Council.
Amongst other things Matt has run his own business and worked within the Banking sector.
David Richardson
Lawyer David Richardson is a partner at the Exeter headquarters of Ashfords, specialising in residential and commercial development, compulsory purchase and public law. David has been recognised as a leading specialist by the Legal 500, and in Planning Magazine’s nationwide top 50 list of planning lawyers.
David’s expertise will support the growth and development of Exeter Science Park’s property portfolio.
David Rowe
The founding Director of the University of Warwick Science Park, David looks to bring his experience and expertise to help Exeter Science Park. He believes it has the potential to become one of the leading initiatives of its type in Europe.
In his 29 years as CEO of Warwick Science Park he drove innovative programmes in enterprise development and technology transfer, while increasing the park’s geographical influence and establishing long-term financial sustainability. David received the 2006 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion – Lifetime Achievement, which is awarded annually to just one individual.
Victoria Hatfield
Victoria has worked at Exeter City Council for 20 years, managing a range of services including destination marketing, a wide range of tourist attractions, events and festivals, economic development, inward investment and skills. Victoria led on a wide range of roles as part of Exeter hosting 3 matches as part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Today, Victoria is the Service Lead for Net Zero & Business, leading on delivering net zero for Exeter City Council and managing our extensive car park estate.
Victoria has been a school governor for ISCA Academy for over 4 years and was appointed to the Board of Exeter Science Park 2023 as a Non-Executive Director.