Inspiring! Rapid growth prompts move from York Science Park to new premises for i2i

Five years after taking incubation space on York Science Park, training services provider Inspire 2 Independence (i2i), are now spreading their wings and moving to larger premises in Millfield Lane, York.  

Launched in 2004 by James Gore, Kent Mayall, Matthew Gore and Shaun McKenna, i2i started out on York Science Park as a micro enterprise with just one room in the Biocentre.  Over the last five years the company has grown rapidly and as it developed its range of services, it moved to the Innovation Centre where it took four rooms totalling 2500 sq. ft. to house its 20 Head Office based staff.  

The company now turns over £6 million, which is forecast to rise to £12.2 million within the next year, and in addition to its York Head Office operates 14 training centres employing close to 200 people in five regions, Yorkshire and Humber, the North East, Greater Manchester and the East and West Midlands. 

i2i provides training services and solutions to job seekers across a wide range of industries, and works extensively with employers to provide specialist training to help develop and improve the skills of their employees.  Its funding partners and clients include the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning Skills Council, Further Education Colleges, service provider Serco, blue chip companies and SMEs throughout the UK. 

Shaun McKenna, Director of i2i said:  “Starting out on York Science Park has proved hugely beneficial to the development of the company.   It provided us with flexible, high quality office facilities that we have been able to expand as we have developed, it is a vibrant community to work in and the opportunities for collaboration and networking with other residents on the Park has been really useful.”

One of i2i’s most recent collaborations has been with fellow Innovation Centre resident Fenton and Simpson Financial Services, who has provided both business and personal financial support to i2i.

Mark Fenton of Fenton and Simpson said: “We have known i2i since they set up and have watched them grow rapidly over the last five years.  We are delighted to have been able to assist in their move, and wish them every success for the future.”

Tracey Smith, General Manager, York Science Park commented: “i2i are a perfect example of how choosing to locate a new business on York Science Park results in much more than just having great office space to start your company in.  It provides both formal and informal networking opportunities and a dynamic working environment which often results in joint projects and collaborations. We look forward to hearing about their future success.”

Whilst i2i are moving from the Park, Fontaine Industries, one of the world leaders in the field of flow control devices, is settling in to its new office on York Science Park. The move comes as part of the company’s drive to expand existing operations and target new and growing business opportunities across the UK and Ireland.

The UK branch, Fontaine UK Ltd which was launched in 2003, supplies state-of-the-art flow control equipment to Utilities and major contractors across the UK in the sewage and water treatment sectors.  The company is now poised to expand into the growing flood defence and energy markets across the UK and Ireland. 

Francois Bedard, Vice President of Fontaine Industries and Fontaine UK Director Alister Willins visited several sites in the region before choosing York Science Park. From here, technical consultation and assistance, estimating, sales and project management support will be provided to customers throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as to a number of international clients.

Alister Willins, Director of Fontaine UK said:

“The next few years are going to be an exciting and challenging time for Fontaine UK as we continue our drive to expand into the growing flood defence and energy sectors.   As part of this growth drive we needed to expand our offices, but wanted to stay within North Yorkshire. We visited several sites, but in the end York Science Park, with its prestigious address, great location and professional community was our first choice.”