Penny Mourdant MP to celebrate redevelopment of Portsdown Technology Park.

The MP for Portsmouth North, the Rt. Hon. Penny Mourdant will join QinetiQ and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) at Portsdown Technology Park on Friday 25 January to mark the official start of work on the site. The £23m redevelopment project at Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) will create up to 100 jobs and transform it into a UK Centre of Excellence for Maritime Mission Systems.

Penny Mourdant who is also the Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities will be at Technology Park along with representatives from QinetiQ and the Solent LEP.

The redevelopment project includes the development of a brand new building, increasing the site’s capacity, plus the introduction of an Innovation and Collaboration Hub, that will work with small and medium-sized businesses, attracting the best local talent and developing Maritime Mission System capability for UK and International markets. Solent LEP is contributing £5m to the project via HM Government's Local Growth Fund, alongside QinetiQ's investment of over £18m.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Solent LEP Chief Executive and Board Director, who will be attending the event, says: "This Innovation and Collaboration Hub is an exciting development that will showcase the Solent’s maritime mission systems excellence. This new Centre will bring together the leading edge activity that QinetiQ is undertaking with the pioneering work that our local small businesses are driving forward. It will undoubtedly further cement the position of the Solent as a world-class maritime hub in a world-class location and deliver on our ambition to develop new global markets”

Penny Mordaunt MP said, “The creation of the UK Centre of Excellence for Maritime Mission Systems here in the Solent is testament to the expertise of the people from the area and their ongoing commitment to supporting the brave women and men of the Royal Navy. Attracting other maritime organisations to the area, this development will provide more jobs for local people and boost our economy.”

“This is a significant development for the company, its customers and the local economy as it demonstrates our clear commitment to create a truly world-class centre in the Solent Region for innovation, integration and testing of maritime mission systems.” said Steve Fitz-Gerald QinetiQ’s Managing Director of Maritime, Land and Weapons.