Survey highlights HWIC growth

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The Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre (HWIC) is celebrating its first anniversary with the news it has supported the creation of more than 33 jobs and achieved growth of 46% for the growing Cornish companies based there, boosting their turnover by almost half a million pounds in the last year.

The purpose-built business acceleration centre, based at Treliske in Truro, is one of three Cornwall Innovation centres which have supported the creation of more than 100 new jobs since 2010.

Karen Murray and Bernard Curren at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre
Karen Murray and Bernard Curren at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre

Since opening in January 2013, HWIC has become home to a current total of 18 fast-growing companies working in the health, lifestyle, well-being and medical fields.

A recent survey carried out by the SERIO research unit found that companies based at the centre have grown by 46% in the last year – with the majority stating this growth would not have been achievable without the support of the HWIC team.

The report found HWIC businesses had increased their turnover by an estimated £492k between March and December 2013 – and 33 new full-time jobs had been created by the 17 companies surveyed.

The results have been welcomed by the HWIC team. Cornwall Innovation director, Bernard Curren, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the SERIO report and the positive feedback from our clients, and to know that we are helping these fantastic Cornish companies to grow their businesses in a sustainable way.

HWIC manager, Karen Murray, added: “We are now a third full which was our target for the end of the first year, and are involved in many new discussions with potential clients who can benefit from the facilities and add to our community.”

The HWIC centre is the third of the Cornwall Innovation Centres to open, after Pool Innovation Centre launched in 2010 and Tremough Innovation Centre in Penryn followed in 2012.