UKSPA members and stakeholders will gather at Rothamsted Enterprises on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th July, for the UKSPA Summer Conference 2025. The Conference will be hosted by Rothamsted Enterprises, with the plenary sessions taking place at their dedicated conferencing facilities. There will also be opportunities to tour their state-of-the-art facilities.

Throughout the two days, leading speakers from the UKSPA network and key partners and stakeholders will discuss in-depth the challenges, opportunities, and innovative ways the sector continues to engage, inspire, and grow through a series of plenary and best practice sessions.

In addition to hearing from numerous key stakeholders in the South East and nationally, the Summer Conference will be looking at subjects including, Innovation, Science Parks and BBSRC, Life Sciences, Balancing Supply and Demand Innovation, Local Growth and Devolution, Public attitudes to R&D Investment, Talent, Skills & The Innovation sector and much more!

About Our Hosts

Rothamsted Enterprises, Harpenden, is located on the historic Rothamsted Campus, the world leading agricultural research institute. It provides an exceptional environment where business, science, and innovation converge. Rothamsted Enterprises is dedicated to promoting collaboration and driving global impact by offering a range of facilities that cater to the needs of the ever-expanding Agri-tech sector.

The campus boasts office and lab spaces designed to support the growth of innovative businesses. These spaces are tailored to meet the specific needs of companies working in agriculture, technology, and life sciences. The office spaces are equipped with modern amenities that create an ideal environment for productivity and collaboration. The lab facilities are cutting-edge, providing businesses with the tools and infrastructure necessary to conduct high-level scientific research. These labs are designed to accommodate a range of scientific activities, ensuring businesses have access to everything they need to advance their research and development efforts. The campus also boasts a modern Conference Centre and Grade 1 listed Manor House, and all profits return to world-leading agricultural innovation at Rothamsted Research.

Beyond physical spaces, Rothamsted Enterprises offers access to Rothamsted Research’s renowned scientific services. These services include advanced analytical capabilities, data science expertise, and access to decades of agricultural research. Companies based at Rothamsted benefit from the opportunity to collaborate directly with leading scientists, tapping into their knowledge and expertise to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as food security and climate change. Their services are also available to hire to the external business community.

Rothamsted Enterprises is a thriving community where innovation flourishes. With a strong commitment to sustainability and continuous development, Rothamsted Enterprises is poised to remain at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation, providing businesses with the resources and support they need to make a global impact.

Conference Programme

The outline Conference Programme will be available to download shortly.

Directions By Car and Train

Serviced by excellent transport links, Rothamsted is just 10 minutes from London Luton International Airport and 25 minutes from London St Pancras International.

Travelling by Car: Harpenden is about 7 miles north of the M25 London Orbital Motorway and close to Junctions 9/10 of the M1.

From the M1:

– Take J9, follow the signs to Redbourn
– Go past the Hertfordshire County Showground on your right
– At the roundabout take the first exit (left) and follow the B487 until the next roundabout
– At the roundabout take the first exit (left) onto the A1081, Rothamsted

Rothamsted is signposted on your left.

Visitor Parking:

There is a large car park available on-site to all visitors signposted Conference Parking. However vehicles are left on the premises at the owner's risk. Rothamsted Enterprises accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to vehicles or their contents while parked on campus, including overnight stays.

Venue Address:

Rothamsted Enterprises, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire,AL5 2JQ

Travelling by Train:

Harpenden is 28 mins by train from London St Pancras International (adjoined with London Kings Cross).

Taxis are available on arrival at Harpenden station.
Rothamsted is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the station.

Travelling by Air

The closest international airports are Luton, Heathrow and Stansted.

From Luton, take the coach to Luton Airport Parkway train station and take the train line direct to Harpenden. From Heathrow take a Piccadilly Line underground train towards Cockfosters to St Pancras International and take the train line direct to Harpenden. From Stansted, travel by train into London and then onto St Pancras International. Alternatively, take the coach from Stansted to Luton Airport, take the bus to Luton Airport Parkway train station, then take the train to Harpenden.

Luton Airport is 20 mins from Rothamsted Enterprises.

London Gatwick Airport is a 1-hour 15mins train journey from Harpenden station.

London Heathrow and London Stansted airports are approximately an hour’s drive from Rothamsted Enterprises (dependent on traffic conditions).

Drinks Reception and Networking Dinner

A networking drinks reception and informal BBQ will be held on the evening of 3rd July. Please note that we will be arranging coaches to transport delegates back to Aubrey Park Hotel after the BBQ and arranging a return to Rothamsted Enterprises on the Friday morning.

Hotels

Accommodation will be available at the Aubrey Park Hotel, Hemel Hempstead Rd, Redbourn, St Albans AL3 7AF. We have reserved 60 rooms at a preferential conference rate.

Hotel: Aubrey Park Hotel

Booking: Please email reservations@aubreypark.co.uk with your arrival and departure dates, and any bedroom requirements or preferences. Please quote UKS030725 to receive the conference rate. There is onsite parking.

Arrival Date: 3rd July, 2025
Departure Date: 4th July 2025
Room Type: Standard
Single Occupancy B&B: £93 per night

Delegate Places

All UKSPA Members are entitled to up to two free places at the Conference. There is a limited number of non-member places (or for booking additional delegate places for Members) with delegate fees shown in the booking details.

Please be aware of bogus organisations currently targeting our industry, offering data list sales. Under no circumstances do we sell or rent attendee information to any third party. We would strongly advise not working with any company that claims they have this data.

UKSPA Summer Conference 2025: 3rd & 4th July - Rothamsted Enterprises