Willmott Dixon Selected for £15.8m Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub in Transformative Regeneration Scheme

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 11 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Willmott Dixon is set to construct the £15.8 million Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub, a key component of the Telford Station Quarter regeneration. This transformative project, scheduled to open in September 2024, integrates educational and business spaces, partnering with Telford College and Harper Adams University to address the skills gap and offer diverse degrees, while aligning with Telford's broader commitment to sustainability and community development.

Leading construction firm Willmott Dixon has been chosen to construct the Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub, a pivotal element of the ambitious Telford Station Quarter regeneration initiative. The £15.8 million project, commissioned by Telford & Wrekin Council through the Pagabo framework, envisions a five-story hub that will serve as an educational and business hub, hosting Telford College students and offering diverse degrees from Harper Adams University.

Expected to open its doors in September 2024, the hub is a cornerstone of Phase 1 of the Station Quarter project. This phase also encompasses the development of a hotel, townhouses, and apartments, accompanied by enhanced public spaces, fostering connectivity between Telford train station and Telford Shopping Centre.

Collaborating with Telford College and Harper Adams University, Willmott Dixon's appointment underscores the commitment to bridging the skills gap and fostering educational opportunities for the next generation. The development aligns with the broader masterplan for Telford, promoting accessibility, cohesion, and vibrancy in the town center. Embracing sustainability, the Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub will feature solar PV panels and an eco-friendly approach with no gas on site.

Dan Doyle, Director at Willmott Dixon, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its positive impact on the community. He highlighted the focus on providing employment and educational opportunities for local students, reinforcing the project's commitment to leaving a lasting positive imprint on the region.

The Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub not only signifies a significant stride in educational infrastructure but also embodies the broader vision for Telford's sustainable and vibrant future. With its completion, the hub is poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to the town's overall development.

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What's new

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Unlocks Nearly £50M in Private Investment

The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), led by the University of Birmingham, has generated an impressive £49.4 million in private co-investment within its first two years, significantly surpassing its original £14.5 million public funding allocation.

Funded through the Innovation Accelerator programme, coordinated by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Research and Innovation, WMHTIA has become a leading force in advancing health technology innovation across the region.

The majority of the private investment—£36.3 million—was directly committed by investors to enterprises supported by the Accelerator. This achievement represents a threefold return on the initial public investment, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the region’s health tech sector.

Powering Health Innovation Through Collaboration

The WMHTIA brings together 21 partners from academia, industry, and the NHS to help healthtech companies develop, validate, and commercialise cutting-edge medical technologies. So far, companies supported through the programme have also secured an additional £10 million in national public grants from agencies including NIHR, Eureka, and Innovate UK.

Including both public and private contributions, the total investment leveraged by WMHTIA now stands at £67.3 million.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham:

We’re proud to support startups through the riskiest stages of innovation so more life-saving technologies reach patients. This exceptional investment proves what’s possible when academia, the NHS, and industry work together to drive economic growth and better health outcomes.

In March 2025, the Innovation Accelerator programme was extended with a further £30 million, including £4 million for the WMHTIA to continue supporting the region’s innovators in 2025/26.

Backing the Future of Health Tech

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

The West Midlands is leading medical tech innovation—from faster diagnoses to shorter hospital stays. Healthtech isn’t just improving lives; it’s creating secure, high-value jobs that drive inclusive growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director of Place and Global, Innovate UK:

This programme shows how place-based innovation can unlock greater business investment in R&D. By connecting the region’s strengths, we’re creating high-value jobs and building globally significant innovation capability.

The WMHTIA continues to strengthen the region’s reputation as a national hub for health technology, with far-reaching benefits for patient care, job creation, and regional economic development.

By Anushka Malhotra

24 Jun