Fraser Black, former Global Services Solutions Director with GE Life Sciences has been appointed as Managing Director of BioCity Scotland, the centre for life science businesses in Newhouse, Lanarkshire. He takes over from Ian Webster, acting Managing Director since the organisation's launch in January of this year. Mr Black took up his post on 2^nd July 2012.

Fraser Black brings extensive experience in the life sciences sector to his new role; he joined GE Life Sciences UK in 2005 having previously held VP positions with Amersham Bioscience in both Bioscience Services and Sales and Marketing. As President of Hoefer Pharmacia Biotech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amersham Biosciences, he re-engineered the company to achieve significant growth and profitability. Between 2005 - 2011 Mr Black held positions in the Life Science Services Division as Global Director of Business Development, General Manager Scientific Asset Services and Global Services Solutions Director, and his work has taken him to the United States, Germany and UK.

As Managing Director of BioCity Scotland, Mr Black will oversee the population of the 23 acre site with new and fast-growing bioscience and life sciences companies. He will continue the relationship-building with corporate partners and embed further links with the North Lanarkshire community. In just six months, BioCity Scotland has signed seven tenancy contracts, seven corporate partner agreements, and hosted several gatherings including the visit of HRH the Princess Royal in February. The recent BioCity Dalziel High School Science Awards demonstrates how the organisation seeks to encourage the next generation of scientists.

Commenting on his appointment Mr Black said, "It is a real privilege to have been appointed to work alongside an incredibly talented BioCity team whose impact is evident in both Nottingham and in Scotland. In Newhouse, we have the resources and exceptional facilities to build a world class hub of successful life science businesses in the central belt of Scotland, and I believe the potential to add real value to the economy is enormous. This is the goal I will work towards as we collectively build the BioCity community here."

Dr Louis Nisbet, BioCity Scotland Chairman said, "We are delighted that Fraser Black will lead the next stage of development at BioCity Scotland. In Fraser we have a truly committed individual whose enthusiasm for our work is already infectious. He brings business development experience honed in the international life sciences arena, as well as world-class team-building skills so we are in very good hands.

"Ian Webster's excellent early-stage work has provided the perfect platform for our organisation to grow as a leading provider of incubation facilities and services to start-up and fast growing life sciences companies. We intend that Ian will remain involved in an advisory capacity and on the BioCity Scotland Board."

About BioCity Scotland

A joint venture between BioCity Nottingham and Roslin BioCentre, BioCity Scotland is much more than a property proposition; it is a state-of-the-art bioscience and healthcare facility, located right in the heart of the Central Belt of Scotland.

In addition to over 130,000 sq ft of ‘pharma quality' fully fitted laboratory and office space, BioCity Scotland provides access to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment, available to rent at very competitive rates.

Housing a unique community of commercially minded, dynamic young scientific companies, BioCity Scotland has networking, collaborating and sharing ideas at the heart of its aims.