Landmark Cheltenham cyber project protected by HCR teams

In the summer of 2020, Gloucestershire College was awarded almost £1m of investment to create a unique new workspace for businesses in the cyber sector in collaboration with Hub8.

As part of the wider high-profile Cheltenham Cyber Central Project, also known as the Golden Valley Development, the investment project will create jobs, support start-ups, and facilitate connections between cyber businesses and students throughout the county.

This new workspace, Hub8 GC, is situated within Cheltenham Campus on Princess Elizabeth Way, neighbouring GCHQ, and opened in early September. The project is made possible through a collaborative relationship between Gloucestershire College and Workshop GC Limited, and this partnership brought the college’s leadership team to HCR. They sought the understanding and documentation to protect their position going forward.

Steve Thomas and Ben Thomas, partners in the commercial and real estate teams respectively, met with Vice Principal and Chief Financial Officer, Andy Bates, and Finance Manager, Paul Sparks, from Gloucestershire College to discuss the problem:

Ben said: “Between us, we prepared a risk matrix for the client, which allowed them to report to their board of governors and establish whether the proposed arrangement worked for them. Then Steve negotiated the operating agreement which will form the spine of the ongoing relationship between the two companies, whilst I drew up the lease of Hub8 GC itself.”

Andy Bates, Chief Financial Officer, Gloucestershire College, said: “Steve and Ben ensured that our new relationship was structured and sound, which gives us the confidence to press forward with this exciting project. We look forward to continuing our work with Harrison Clark Rickerbys, should any further needs arise.”

For more information and to book a tour of Hub8 GC, visit hub8and.co/hub8-gc