Jane Hutchins - Director of Operations and Communications
Jane Hutchins
Cambridge Science Park Director of Operations and Communications
How would you describe your new role as Park Director?
Multifaceted! I’d say that my primary role would be to represent the interests of the members of the Cambridge Science Park community. This could be on a day-to-day basis, helping with practical matters, as well as strongly representing your interests in dealings with external stakeholders. Over my years at Southampton, I loved building open relationships with the occupiers there, sharing their triumphs and brokering introductions both within the community and outside to help overcome challenges and stimulate growth. I’m really looking forward to doing the same in Cambridge, bringing members together to share your experiences and working with you to ensure a strong, sustainable future.
What excites you most about working at the Cambridge Science Park?
Meeting so many new people, learning what makes you tick and drives you mad. Science parks are specialist communities and some truly amazing work takes place within them. Too often, this goes unacknowledged, even on your own doorstep. Busy people are aften so focussed on their own challenges that they are unaware that they may well have neighbours who can help. This is where an active Park Director can add value. I will know you and your neighbours. Sometimes, all it takes is an introduction over a cup of coffee, then serendipity takes over.
What do you see as the biggest challenge ahead for the Park and how do you propose overcoming it?
The world is changing at pace. Innovation and agility are essential if we are to keep up with the giants of the US and China, both as a sector and a national economy. The Cambridge Science Park is perfectly placed to take a leading role in our response but this brings significant challenges. Competing on a global stage requires strong collaboration with external organisations, both commercial and governmental. The UK has recently demonstrated that we are a great place for life science research and commercialisation, declaring its ambition to become a scientific superpower. The associated investment markets are excited about opportunities. But this brings challenges. R&D has a large carbon footprint: the contradiction between innovating to improve health, for example, and contributing to climate change that threatens health, cannot be ignored.
Who is your science/tech hero and why?
This is a tough question. It’s hard to choose, but I think it must be Prof Sarah Gilbert who led the team that developed the Oxford / Astra Zeneca vaccine for covid19. Not only because they developed a vaccine in months that would normally have taken years, thanks to both scientific and administrative innovations, but also because of the commercial deal that they struck. This deal had ESG at its heart, ensuring that the vaccine would be available to poorer countries at cost in perpetuity. I really respect their values.
Where will we find you when you’re not on the Park?
Thrashing a race yacht around the Solent – although now I’m moving to Cambridge, I might contemplate a return to my east coast sailing roots, as that’s rather closer. You can always tell when I’ve had a thrilling weekend because I’m black and blue, wearing my bruises with pride! I’ve raced dinghies since childhood, then took a long break for parenting duties. I returned to sailing and switched to big boats about seven years ago – funnily enough, through the intervention of a CEO on Southampton Science Park. Serendipity in action…
Rather closer to home, I’m also a keen singer. I’ve sung at the Last Night of the Proms (and been hit on the head by a promenader’s flag!) as well as in much smaller chamber choirs and opera groups. Singing took rather a hit during the various lockdowns, so I’m really looking forward to rekindling this passion. Cambridge is, after all, famed for its performing arts culture.