RICHeS IHQ Launch
On 11 September 2025, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sir Ian Chapman officially opened the new sustainable Infrastructure Headquarters (IHQ) for the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme at the leading science and innovation campus, Sci-Tech Daresbury.
This landmark facility is more than an office; it is a model for future research workplaces, designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising collaboration, innovation and wellbeing. The opening represents a major milestone in the £80 million RICHeS programme, led by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is transforming the UK’s capacity for conservation and heritage science, equipping researchers and practitioners with equitable access to cutting-edge facilities, innovative collection and specialist expertise.
The new RICHeS IHQ, located within the Violet phase 1 development at Sci-Tech Daresbury, in the Liverpool City Region, sets a national precedent for sustainable research infrastructure. Every element has been designed with low-carbon principles in mind, from the recycled and reclaimed materials used in its fit-out to the high-efficiency energy systems that power its day-to-day operations. Its design, which was highly commended at the Pagabo Awards 2025, and is the winner at the UK Fit-Out Awards 2025 for its sustainability and health-focused credentials.