Public service transformation company Mondrem now has brand new office accommodation, after being one of the first businesses to move into Keele University’s Smart Innovation Hub*.

Founded in 2016, Mondrem has seen significant growth in the past three years, with an increasing portfolio of clients including councils and not-for-profit organisations. Mondrem’s experienced experts assess all aspects of their clients’ business operations, helping to create personally and professionally rewarding places to work, a great customer experience and making other improvements and efficiencies.

By moving onto the University’s Science and Innovation Park, Mondrem is looking to build on their existing collaborations with Keele. Company Director, Mike Astbury, is currently participating in the University’s Mercia Centre for Innovation Leadership programme* and also sees the benefits of taking part in the research-led innovation support and knowledge transfer partnership opportunities available at Keele.

Mike commented: “I can’t praise the leadership programme enough. It has provided a great opportunity to step back, share perspectives and ideas with other business leaders and work together to find solutions, the learning from which has already begun to make a difference to Mondrem.

“As well as new leadership techniques, the programme has connected me with other strands of the Business Gateway, including businesses accommodation opportunities. We were invited to a ‘sneak peek’ of the new Smart Innovation Hub and immediately knew it was the right place for our business. We have now moved into our fantastic new office.”

Speaking about their relocation to the Smart Innovation Hub, Lucy Gibbs, Business Support Manager at Mondrem, added: “We are so energised and excited by everything at Keele University.

“The experiences and resources that we have had up to this point have been fantastic for building valuable networks. Building on those networks, we will be taking full advantage of the business support on offer at Keele, linking with students, academics and business advisors.

“The company is currently going through its next growth stage, which is exciting but challenging. Basing ourselves at Keele has come at the perfect time, as we will be able to take advantage of the resources, facilities and support that will help drive the company forward.”

The Smart Innovation Hub offers a unique opportunity for new and innovative businesses and entrepreneurs to grow through collaboration with Keele University’s sector-leading academics and talented students.

Situated at the heart of Keele University’s campus and co-located alongside Keele Business School, the facility has been designed to support the creation and growth of new businesses and encourage more innovation-led business growth. By providing collaborative workspaces alongside office spaces, meeting rooms and social spaces, it aims to stimulate a new more intuitive approach to business and innovation development.

Dr Nick Gostick, Director of the Smart Innovation Hub, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mondrem onto the Science and Innovation Park at this exciting time, as we continue to establish Keele as a leading university for business collaboration.

“We look forward to supporting their ongoing growth and watching them flourish as part of the business innovation community that we are creating here at Keele.”

For more information about the accommodation and support opportunities available at Keele University, please visit www.keele.ac.uk/business.

*Support programmes Mercia Centre for Innovation Leadership (MCIL) programme and Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP) are delivered through Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Ref: 32R17P01691) / Innovation Centre 6 which has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the England Growth Programme 2014-2020, the Midlands Engine and Staffordshire County Council with support from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.