Irwin Grayson Associates
Incubators & managed workspace

Practical experience of developing & managing incubator workspace

Irwin Grayson Associates undertakes feasibility studies for local authorities, governments and others for incubator and managed workspace as well as providing support to implement workspace projects and raise funds.

David Irwin was Chairman, until March 2000, of Project North East's workspace subsidiary, North East Workspace Ltd which has refurbished a number of redundant buildings and brought them back into use as incubators targeting small and growing businesses, providing 10,000 sq m divided into 200 units, including the redevelopment of a key site within the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Whilst at PNE, David was commissioned by the Burton Group to prepare ideas to bring back into use a redundant building in Gateshead. He developed and researched ideas, eventually culminating in £1.75m conversion to create Design Works.

He supported Swaziland Small Enterprise Development Company with the development and management of their managed workspace as part of an enterpise support programme undertaken in partnership with Enterplan (now Coffey International Development), for DFID, 1997-1999

Feasibility studies

David was commissioned by the Gates Foundation to undertake a review of incubator workspace, especially focusing on agricuture and agri-processing, in Africa. (Undertaken in partnership with Annabel Jackson Associates, 2009)

David has also undertaken incubator assignments for:
  • West Oxfordshire District Council, with Annabel Jackson Associates, 2005
  • Uganda Gatsby Trust, 2004
  • Gravesham District Council, with Annabel Jackson Associates, 2004
  • Wychavon District Council, with Annabel Jackson Associates, 2004
  • Stratford on Avon District Council, with Annabel Jackson Associates, 2004
  • British Council, Egypt, 2000
  • Darlington Borough Council, with Annabel Jackson Associates, 1999
  • Res & Co, review of factory of 35,000 square metres previously housing one of only two facilities in the Soviet Union making heavy duty agricultural trailers, for TACIS, Moldova, 1997