Southampton Science Park Appoints New CEO
The University of Southampton Science Park Board is pleased to announce that Michael Aston has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1st July 2026, following the retirement of Dr Robin Chave.
Mr Aston is both a chartered surveyor and a chartered accountant, with a deep understanding of the strategic and commercial aspects of developing real estate and an impressive track record of delivering major capital projects. Further, his understanding of the life sciences sector is particularly relevant as the Science Park continues to lead the way in equipping scientific enterprise in the south of England.
Professor Mark Spearing, Chair of the Board said, "I am delighted that Michael Aston has accepted our offer to become the next Chief Executive Officer of The University of Southampton Science Park. Michael has a wealth of highly relevant experience as well as being an authentic and highly capable leader with an excellent fit with the culture and values of our organisation. The Board is looking forward to working with him to realise the next phase of the development of the Park for its continued success.”
He continued, “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Robin Chave for his excellent leadership of the Science Park for seven years. Southampton Science Park has thrived under his tenure, and he leaves a very strong legacy for Michael and the team to build on.”
Mr Aston said, “I very much look forward to joining The University of Southampton Science Park and working with a wonderful team. It's a great credit to the current CEO, Robin Chave, that the Park is so well positioned for the future, and I look forward to strengthening its status as the pre-eminent hub of commercial innovation and R&D for the Central South region. An immediate priority will be to welcome cutting-edge technology companies to Infinity Labs, currently under construction.
“Following my previous roles at the University of Cambridge and Cushman & Wakefield, I am mindful that successful campuses like Southampton Science Park are founded not merely on high quality real estate assets, but on the wider ecosystems of knowledge exchange in which they are situated. With this in mind, I look forward to working closely with relevant faculties at the University of Southampton and the regional innovation networks to ensure that the Park will continue to be a special place where commercial ideas derived from world-class academic research are nurtured into successful companies that have impact well beyond the city and the region."
Mr Aston will take up his new post on 1st July 2026.
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