CUTP NEWSLETTER SECOND EDITION
OCTOBER 2025
We are a hub of innovation and development situated in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc – the perfect location for businesses working in the technology sector.
We are home to almost 60 science, technology, and knowledge-based businesses. From start-ups to internationally recognised brands, our Tech Park offers exceptional quality office spaces alongside the University’s distinctive expertise and skills base.
WELCOME TO THE SECOND EDITION OF THE CUTP NEWSLETTER
SITE NEWS
A Sizzling Success: Our CUTP End of Summer BBQ Brings Tenants Together!
On Wednesday 10th September, the rain clouds cleared, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of sizzling burgers and sausages and the cheerful sounds of conversation, as 150 tenants from across the Cranfield University Technology Park site, gathered for our end of summer BBQ event. The gathering was a huge success, fostering connections and creating a vibrant, supportive atmosphere for all attendees.
The event provided a wonderful opportunity for new and established tenants to meet, strengthen bonds, and share a great meal in a relaxed setting. The food was absolutely delicious and we must thank Anna, Zai, Layton and Martyna, from Café Noir, our newly established onsite café, for all their hard work.
Further exciting developments in the menu are planned in the coming months.
It was wonderful to see so many tenants connecting and having a great time," said Julie Probert our Centre Manager "Events like these are crucial for building a strong, supportive community, and we are so pleased with how well-received it was".
Thank you to everyone who came and made the BBQ such a memorable event. We look forward to hosting more community events in the future!
CUTP Breakfast Networking Event:
We held our quarterly breakfast networking event on Wednesday 17th September 2025. This event provided a dynamic environment for the 55 attendees, to forge new connections, share industry insights, and foster collaborations over coffee and a pastry. The informal focused setting allowed for quality face time with peers, offering a productive start to the day and the opportunity to build valuable relationships with like-minded individuals and potential referral partners.
TENANT INTERVIEW
SMS LTD
Who are SMS Ltd?
SMS Ltd was founded in 1999 by three experienced microwave engineers; Andrew Dewey, Nigel Mead and Steve Jenkins. Andrew is involved in engineering innovation and product development and ensures SMS’s solutions meet the demanding standards of aerospace and defence clients. Nigel is instrumental in shaping SMS’s administrative and engineering frameworks, managing corporate governance while managing technical development and client relations. Steve brings decades of engineering expertise to SMS and contributes to strategic planning and oversees administrative and financial matters. Together, they have steered SMS Ltd from its inception, into a respected leader in hybrid microwave solutions. Their combined experience and leadership have been central to the company’s success and reputation in the RF engineering space. and agencies.
What do SMS Ltd do?
Specialist Microwave Solutions Ltd (SMS), a leading UK-based designer and manufacturer of hybrid microwave components, continues to solidify its reputation as a cornerstone of the RF and microwave industry. It has carved out a niche by supporting aerospace, defence, industrial, and telecommunications sectors with precision-engineered solutions.
Founded in 1999, SMS emerged to fill a critical gap left by traditional microwave suppliers who pivoted toward commercial wireless technologies. The company’s mission: to preserve and advance the specialised design and manufacture of microwave components and assemblies, including support for heritage and obsolete systems.
SMS has broadened its design and manufacturing portfolio to include cutting-edge microwave components and subsystems for both domestic and European clients. This includes advanced PIN diode and GaAs FET-based switches, amplifiers, mixers, and synthesised sources2. Through partnerships like the UK Electronics Skills Foundation, SMS has supported student placements and skill development in RF and microwave engineering. Students work on real-world projects involving power supply design, digital programming, and mechanical integration.
By focusing on hybrid microwave assemblies and subsystems, SMS fills a critical niche that many larger firms have abandoned in favour of digital and wireless technologies. SMS Ltd has become a linchpin in the microwave engineering ecosystem—preserving the past, enabling the present, and quietly shaping the future.
Why was CUTP chosen, as a location for your offices?
SMS Ltd started life in the Innovation Centre at CUTP and subsequently broadened via various offices on the Technology Park before arriving at its newly expanded offices in Derwent House. The technology focus of CUTP was a major factor when selecting the location as well as the central position and modern outlook. The proximity to Cranfield University, provides a rich link between academia and industry.
What does the future look like for Guestia Ltd?
SMS Ltd have been growing progressively for over quarter of a century and is looking forward to increasing its participation in future developments in the microwave and radio frequency world.
Could CUTP do anything better?
SMS Ltd is pleased to be a part of the growing community that is Cranfield University Technology Park.
SITE NEWS
New Café Operator:
Cranfield University Technology Park are very pleased to announce that we have a new operator, for our onsite café. Anna Ozog and Zai Hussain, of Café Noir, took over on Monday 14th July 2025, they are also joined by their chef Layton. We wish them all every success in their new business venture.
Anna brings with her a wealth of catering experience, as she has been working for the last ten years on the Cranfield University campus. Please pop in and say hello, and try the delicious hot and cold food, coffee, cakes, and pastries. Café Noir can also cater for any breakfast or lunchtime buffets that you may require, for your onsite meetings.
Trent House Boiler Replacement Project:
We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Trent House Boiler Refurbishment Project.
This significant upgrade will provide improved reliability and energy efficiency to lower operating costs.
The project, which involved the decommissioning and replacement of the previous boiler system, has successfully delivered three new Valliant high-efficiency boilers, modern BMS controls, a new flue and pumps.
This modernisation is expected to result in a significant reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions, a substantial decrease in repair callouts, and a more comfortable and reliable environment for the occupants of the building.
CUTP ARE PLEASED
TO WELCOME
EcoStyle Ltd
We’re EcoStyle Ltd, and we’re delighted to announce our move to Cranfield Innovation Centre!
We specialise in creating interactive educational models for use in the academic and environmental sectors. Our mission is to inspire learning and behaviour change through hands-on experiences. Our product range includes educational Renewable Energy Kits (Wind Turbine, Solar PV, and Solar Water Heater), flood risk/prevention education models, and water efficiency models. We also create bespoke interactive models to meet specific customer requirements.
We chose Cranfield Innovation Centre for its reputation as a hub for technology businesses and its strong connections with Cranfield University. This environment aligns with our values as a design- led technology business focused on creating innovative solutions. Our product design process integrates the latest advances in 3D design software, 3D printing, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
EcoStyle’s Managing Director Simon Hall explains: ‘I am confident that the move to Cranfield Innovation Centre will help EcoStyle reach its full potential. The opportunity to scale up, collaborate
with like-minded innovators, and access emerging technologies aligns with our growth ambitions and design-led ethos.’
We’re excited to join the centre community and look forward to connecting with other tenants, developing partnerships, and contributing to Cranfield’s culture of innovation.
Thank you for the warm welcome!
AND
AVG Windscreens
to Innovation Centre
We're AVG Windscreens, and we're thrilled to announce we've moved our operations into the vibrant Cranfield Innovation Centre!
We’ve built our reputation on quality, specialising in the expert repair and replacement of vehicle glass across the UK. Our mission is to provide fast, reliable, and professional service, ensuring all vehicles are safe and back on the road with minimal fuss.
This move is much more than just a change of address; it’s a commitment to our future. We are actively focused on integrating new technology and innovative service models into every aspect of our work. By establishing a presence here, we are positioning ourselves at the heart of an engineering and tech-focused ecosystem to drive significant change in how we deliver our services.
We chose Cranfield because we believe proximity to its world-renowned heritage and vibrant community will help fundamentally change our mindset. This environment encourages collaboration, pushes boundaries, and demands innovation. We are looking to adopt the spirit of this centre to explore new service technologies, improve operational efficiency, and cement our position as a forward-thinking leader in the vehicle glass industry.
We are incredibly excited about the opportunities to connect with the diverse and talented organisations right here at the Innovation Centre. We look forward to sharing ideas, exploring potential partnerships, and engaging with a community that values progress. Thank you for the warm welcome—we can't wait to be an active part of Cranfield's innovative ecosystem!
Thrilled with Our Move to Cranfield Innovation Centre – A Brilliantly Run Shared Office Facility!
We’ve recently made the move to a shared office facility, and the experience has exceeded our expectations on every level.
The space itself is modern, well-maintained, and incredibly well-organised — it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into creating a professional yet welcoming environment.
The onsite café is a real bonus — great coffee, fresh food, and a comfortable spot for informal meetings or a quick break.
From day one, the reception team has been outstanding — friendly, professional, and always ready to help. They’ve made settling in easy and created a great first impression for our visitors. We also must commend the facilities manager, who is both approachable and highly professional. Their attention to detail and proactive support has made all the difference in ensuring a smooth transition.
We’re genuinely pleased with the move. It’s a fresh, energetic environment that reflects where we are as a business — focused, collaborative, and forward-looking.
A big thank you to the whole team, for making this such a positive step forward!
Holly Marles
Marketing & Key Accounts Manager. Curio Group
Thrilled with Our Move to Cranfield Innovation Centre – A Brilliantly Run Shared Office Facility!
We’ve recently made the move to a shared office facility, and the experience has exceeded our expectations on every level.
The space itself is modern, well-maintained, and incredibly well-organised — it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into creating a professional yet welcoming environment.
The onsite café is a real bonus — great coffee, fresh food, and a comfortable spot for informal meetings or a quick break.
From day one, the reception team has been outstanding — friendly, professional, and always ready to help. They’ve made settling in easy and created a great first impression for our visitors. We also must commend the facilities manager, who is both approachable and highly professional. Their attention to detail and proactive support has made all the difference in ensuring a smooth transition.
We’re genuinely pleased with the move. It’s a fresh, energetic environment that reflects where we are as a business — focused, collaborative, and forward-looking.
A big thank you to the whole team, for making this such a positive step forward!
Holly Marles
Marketing & Key Accounts Manager. Curio Group
WHAT OUR OCCUPIERS SAY
Cranfield University technology Park has played a pivotal role in Guestia’s growth journey since 2021, when we began with a six-person office. Over the past four years, we have expanded beyond what we initially imagined and are now proudly occupying our fourth unit, with a team of over 20 employees. This growth would not have been possible without the support of Julie and her outstanding team. They have been instrumental at every stage—facilitating each office move, managing new leases, and helping us create the ideal working space. We are truly grateful for their dedication and professionalism."
Amy Gatier
HR Manager, Guestia Ltd
Cranfield University technology Park has been foundational to our growth as a company in the last 9 years – the flexibility to scale-up to different office sizes based on our growth has meant we’ve never looked anywhere else for our HQ.
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The location of CUTP has been perfect in terms of hiring, enabling us to tap into talent pools from Leicester to Luton, Oxford to Cambridge, with great access to major commuter routes and trains to London. Having a host of international airports on our doorstep is also a big plus given our international expansion.
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The team at CUTP is one of its biggest assets; hands-on support, always looking out for our company and hugely supportive as we have moved between units or expanded our footprint on the site. Nothing is too much to ask for and Julie and her team have been true “partners” in our growth story.
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The standard of office suites and communal areas has been a big factor for us remaining at CUTP over the last nine years – it is also fantastic to see the ongoing investment in the building and campus.
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Having no restrictions on parking is big a plus for us versus other shared-service offices in the area we have reviewed; with a team spread across Beds, Bucks, Oxfordshire, Northants, Leicestershire and beyond, parking and access to major road networks makes a big difference for us.
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We’ve scaled from a four-person suite to 50-person suite over the course of the last eight years, across five different office suites in CUTP. At every stage, the CIC team has enabled and partnered with us to smooth each move; there really hasn’t been a need to look anywhere else.
The location of CUTP, just a few minutes from the M1 and major rail links is a real value-add for us; even more so the close tie-up with Cranfield University and its Executive Management hub and various events and networking opportunities means the CIC really is a “hidden gem” for entrepreneurs and start-ups in the area.
Steve Holloway
Chief Executive Officer, Signify Research Limited
Julie Probert
01234 756 000 | 07720 469 198
julie.probert@mayfieldproperty.co.uk
Holly Dawson
01908 887 608 | 07917 243 887
holly.dawson@bidwells.co.uk