Airbus joins Imperial's White City innovation district

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, with Professor David Gann, Vice President (Innovation) at Imperial

Aerospace giant Airbus is to co-locate with Imperial College London’s researchers, fast-growth companies and vibrant start-ups at White City.

Airbus will establish a new office for its Defence and Space division in Central Working White City.

The Central Working facility is located in the Translation and Innovation Hub (I-HUB), which provides space for businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs alongside Imperial’s extensive network of researchers, academics and other corporate partners. 

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59billion (£52 billion) ­and employed a workforce of around 129,000.

World leading research

Imperial is home to world-leading space research. The College’s SpaceLab gathers researchers across all three faculties and the Business School to drive forward research including planetary science, navigation and positioning solutions, remote sensing and space technology.

Our teams are excited by the prospect of developing innovation through networking with students, academia, start-ups, SME's and other industries. Dirk Hoke CEO of Airbus Defence and Space

Examples include The Aerial Robotics Lab, led by Dr. Mirko Kovac, which is developing next-generation robotics for space exploration, and Dr Ned Ekins-Daukes, who is leading research into highly efficient solar cells.

The co-location with Airbus is an important step towards Imperial’s vision for a cluster of Critical Infrastructure specialists at its White City campus, led by the Institute of Security Science and Technology (ISST).

The ISST is an interdisciplinary research hub which envisages, designs and coordinates the application of science and technology to answer pressing security challenges relating to financial systems, climate and the environment, healthcare, critical infrastructure and biosecurity.

Thriving innovation

Professor David Gann CBE, Vice President (Innovation) at Imperial, said: “Imperial’s White City campus boasts a thriving innovation ecosystem where fast-growth technology companies, world leading academics and corporate partners work side by side. Airbus is a natural fit for White City as we strive to create a cluster of critical infrastructure ventures to take up residence alongside Imperial at the campus. We hope that this move will pave the way to new collaborations and partnerships to enhance our work in this area.”

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Airbus is pleased today to build upon its successful relationships with Imperial College London by being part of the Translation & Innovation Hub at White City Campus. Airbus recognises the huge importance of innovation and is always looking at new approaches; especially those that involve working alongside inspirational start-up and small companies. Our teams are excited by the prospect of developing innovation through networking with students, academia, start-ups, SME's and other industries.”

Boosting collaboration

Earlier this year Imperial set out its vision for its White City campus, with co-location at its heart.

The College is developing flexible buildings and facilities which will bring together businesses of all sizes and researchers to support collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of ideas.

This includes Scale Space, a 200,000 sq ft new technology and innovation centre on the south site, being developed with Blenheim Chalcot. The space will provide space for new, high growth technology companies and established businesses as well as Imperial research.