The Catalyst at York Science Park achieves prestigious ICT Active Leading Edge accreditation

The Catalyst, York Science Park’s dynamic new space for Creative, IT, Digital and Media businesses, has passed the ICT Active scheme at the highest level possible; ‘Ready to Occupy Leading Edge’.

This accreditation recognises the premium standard of Information Communications Technology (ICT) that The Catalyst offers its resident businesses over and above the basic facilities expected in offices.

Front L to R - Mick Auker, Facilities Manager and Scott McKenzie, Facilities Assistant, York Science Park Ltd; Back L to R - Ali Shankland, Partnerships Manager, ICT Active and Tracey Smith, Managing Director, York Science Park Ltd.

ICT Active is the national standard for IT and Telecoms (ICT) facilities in office buildings developed with support from Yorkshire Forward. This is the second time that the Science Park has achieved the prestigious ICT Active ‘Leading Edge’ status; in 2009 the IT Centre passed the ICT Active scheme at the highest level, making York Science Park the first UK Science Park to have an ICT Active property on site.

York Science Park Managing Director Tracey Smith says, “I’m thrilled that York Science Park has once again achieved the highest level of ICT accreditation. Our latest development, The Catalyst, was planned and built with an extremely high-specification ICT infrastructure, which is reflected in it achieving this status. Being ICT Active contributes to us being one of the UK’s leading science parks and it certainly attracts new businesses to us.”

Liz Wallis, ICT Active Managing Director, says, “The Catalyst at York Science Park is exactly the kind of office building that ICT Active was designed to showcase; those that make the provision of IT and Telecoms a priority because they know it matters to their business customers – particularly those involved in the IT and creative industries sectors. The award of ‘Ready to Occupy Leading Edge’ reflects the attention to detail that has gone into the planning and implementation and the resulting flexibility and high quality of service that The Catalyst is able to provide.”

Justin Benn of film and video production company Vivo Media says, “Since I recently moved my business into The Catalyst I’ve been extremely impressed by the level of ICT support offered and in particular how swiftly any IT issues are dealt with.”

As York Science Park's IT partner, York Data Services Limited provided the super- fast fibre connectivity and ICT support for the buildings on York Science Park.

Mark Fordyce, York Data Services Managing Director, said, "We are delighted to have helped York Science Park achieve, for the second time, an ICT Active ‘Leading Edge’ status, this time for their latest building, The Catalyst. This ‘Leading Edge’ accreditation is further recognition of the high level of fibre connectivity and IT support we provide to York Science Park and its tenants."