There were important benefits for each stakeholder.

Strategic Objectives for UniS

• To create a source of independent income. In 1979, the senior management team of the University recognised that public funding for UK universities was likely to be cut. Without a new source of funds, declining government support for higher education and research would eventually constrain Surrey's development as a research based residential university.

• To raise the University's profile as a major British Technological University. It was recognised that, in international terms the University of Surrey was a relatively small but smart university, and needed to raise its profile to strengthen its position.

• To assist in the process of technology transfer. UniS saw the need to support the shift in UK production patterns towards exploiting knowledge, skills and creativity. The definition of technology transfer adopted was "the means by which intellectual capital and know-how pass between organisations with a view to creating and developing commercially viable products or services". The plan recognised that technology could be transferred to companies on the Park likely sources such as the University, regional Government laboratories and from other commercial organisations. In defining this objective the University was also aware that technology transfer was just part of the process of moving technology up the added value chain of commercialisation, from laboratory to market. This process was defined as "that series of linked activities by which know-how or the results of research was converted into products and services that meet defined market needs" and it was considered that the Park would go beyond simple technology transfer and support the whole process of commercialisation.

Strategic Objectives for the local and planning authorities

• To assist in the region's economic development by the creation and growth of knowledge based, high value added companies. The emerging Science Park concept provided this vehicle.

Strategic Objectives for tenant companies

• To assist European centred companies develop a competitive advantage through their location on The Surrey Research Park and access to the intellectual infrastructure created by UniS. These strategic objectives led to a range of development objectives, based on a Master Plan and Development Manual agreed with the planning authority, Guildford Borough Council. These documents derived from the core concept of dividing the development into three zones, small, medium and large, for companies of different sizes, with different origins and likely to be working in widely varying technologies.

• To assist in the region's economic development by the creation and growth of knowledge based, high value added companies. The emerging Science Park concept provided this vehicle.

Strategic Objectives for tenant companies

• To assist European centred companies develop a competitive advantage through their location on The Surrey Research Park and access to the intellectual infrastructure created by UniS. These strategic objectives led to a range of development objectives, based on a Master Plan and Development Manual agreed with the planning authority, Guildford Borough Council. These documents derived from the core concept of dividing the development into three zones, small, medium and large, for companies of different sizes, with different origins and likely to be working in widely varying technologies.

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