Runway Park: A vision for innovation-led growth takes flight

27th May 2025

A transformative University of Sheffield development designed to attract investment, create high-quality jobs and accelerate economic growth unveils its new look as Runway Park is officially launched to industry.

A transformative University of Sheffield development designed to attract investment, create high-quality jobs and accelerate economic growth unveils its new look as Runway Park is officially launched to industry.

Runway Park, the evolution of the University of Sheffield’s Innovation District, is a 100-acre development that links the University’s world-class research with the real-world challenges faced by a wide range of businesses, from growing companies to household name multinationals.

The development is located on land already owned by the University of Sheffield, specifically the site of the former Sheffield City Airport. This surrounding area is already home to world-leading companies including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, McLaren Automotive and others harnessing the University’s state-of-the-art research and development facilities and collaborating with its leading researchers to advance technology and manufacturing.

Located minutes from junction 33 of the M1, the University of Sheffield Innovation District was initially developed in 2015 when Factory 2050, the UK’s first reconfigurable digital factory, was completed. Since then, a host of other specialist University of Sheffield research centres have been established there, including the Translational Energy Research Centre, Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre, Royce Translational Centre, the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre and more, offering a range of specialist services and facilities to industrial partners. In 2018, Boeing opened its first European manufacturing site nearby, following almost two decades of collaboration between the company and the University of Sheffield.

Now the ambitious Runway Park development is accelerating efforts to advance the development, translate University research into real-world solutions for industry and build on Sheffield and the wider region’s reputation as a leader in innovation-led growth.

Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “The evolution of the University’s innovation district with the launch of Runway Park marks a significant milestone in our mission to help the region reach its full potential, while making an even stronger contribution to economic growth.

“We have seen the impact of innovation-led growth, with the University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) transforming the Sheffield/Rotherham border into a global hub for advanced manufacturing over the last 20 years. As part of the UK’s first government-backed Investment Zone in South Yorkshire, our vision for Runway Park will build on this considerable momentum.

“We look forward to working with partners to deliver bespoke solutions to industry, catalyse growth opportunities and attract the investment the region needs to continue on a path to prosperity.”

As well as providing access to sophisticated facilities, equipment and expertise, Runway Park forms part of South Yorkshire’s wider innovation ecosystem designed to help organisations innovate and thrive as the challenges they face continue to evolve.

Runway Park is shaped around four distinct zones: research, innovation, manufacturing and leisure, with each designed to support focused activity while encouraging collaboration. The development is designed to suit occupiers with their own ideas of custom builds, from small-scale co-working to large-scale manufacturing. Supported by sustainable energy infrastructure, Runway Park is nestled among 87 hectares of woodland, parkland and green spaces.

Linda Goodacre, Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of Sheffield, said: “Runway Park reflects our long-term commitment to creating places that are not only fit for the future, but actively help shape it. Designed with flexibility, resilience and sustainability at its core, the site brings together high-performance buildings and green infrastructure to offer exceptional working and collaboration environments for tenants of all sizes. From our energy-efficient facilities and on-site renewable energy to acres of biodiverse parkland and walkable green space, Runway Park gives businesses the room - and the responsibility - to grow sustainably.”

To find out more visit www.runwaypark.co.uk