Latest news: Jobs boost from £20m investment

A new synthetic supermaterials research and development facility will be built in the UK, providing up to 50 new jobs. 08/05/2012

The world leaders in synthetic diamonds, Element Six, plan to base the new £20m centre in Harwell, Oxford.

Secretary of state for business, Vince Cable, said, ‘The investment by Element Six, that will bring a world-class research and development facility to Harwell, shows that the UK is a great place for innovative and cutting-edge industries to invest.

‘Along with a real boost to the local economy, providing new highly skilled engineering jobs, the investment shows that the Oxford region is a world leading location for hi-tech research, and that the UK is open for business.’

Cyrus Jilla, CEO of Element Six, said, ‘I am proud we selected the UK as the best location globally for our innovation centre. I am positive it will deliver higher performance products for our customers, disruptive technologies for new applications and markets, inspire and spur new, related businesses in the UK, and provide an extremely rewarding environment for our scientists who are at the forefront of their field.’

The majority of the new positions will be aimed at highly qualified graduate scientists, engineers and physicists. The plant is set to open in spring 2013.