Management changes reflect SOG Ltd’s expansion plansSOG Ltd, the owner and manager of The Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn, has announced changes to its senior management team designed to support the company’s continued growth. Dr Peter Cook, who has served as Managing Director since SOG launched The Heath a decade ago, has taken on the new role of Chairman in order to target business opportunities away from the business park. He will spearhead the so-called ‘Fusion Project’, which aims to replicate The Heath’s successful formula at other locations across the UK. He said: “SOG has recently celebrated its first decade, a phenomenally successful period during which it has transformed The Heath from a single occupancy site into a home for more than 175 businesses and a total workforce exceeding 2,000 people. Replicating our success at other locations across the country is a pivotal part of our growth plans – echoing calls from a succession of high-profile figures including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the new Foreign Secretary William Hague for us to export our expertise more widely across the UK.” Peter has been replaced as SOG’s Managing Director by John Lewis, who was also a member of The Heath’s launch team and has spent the past 10 years as SOG’s Marketing Director. John will now lead the ongoing development plans at The Heath, where SOG has announced ambitious proposals to create 180,000 square feet of new offices and laboratories and to increase the workforce from 2,000 to around 3,000. John said: “The Heath has been widely applauded as an outstanding regeneration success story, largely thanks to the superb leadership within SOG of Peter Cook. I am delighted that Peter is to spearhead the Fusion Project, which seeks to replicate The Heath’s successful formula at other locations across the country. I feel extremely proud to succeed Peter in the role of SOG Managing Director as we press ahead with a hugely significant project to expand the park by 40%.” The management changes take immediate effect. 21 May 2010 About The Heath:The Heath, which was established as a business park in 2000, has attracted over 175 British and international companies, ranging from bio science firms to IT specialists, from food industry consultants to website designers, and from government agencies to telemarketing specialists. Residents have been attracted by the 60-acre business park's vast range of impressive facilities and its flexibility in space management and in attitude. The Heath offers a wide range of office and laboratory space, together with a purpose-built conference centre that includes a 120-seat lecture theatre. Residents can also choose from a wide selection of additional services, including telephone and broadband connectivity, laboratory support services, scientific glassblowing and precision engineering facilities, to name but a few. Residents also have access to The Heath's fitness centre and gym. Combined with 1,700 parking spaces, its first-class transport links - and the ability for residents to select and pay for just the services they require - it's no surprise that the number of companies on The Heath is continuing to grow rapidly. MEDIA CONTACT: PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
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