Allia Future Business Centre unveiled plaques in memory of Gerald Avison and Simon Dazeley and launched the Avison-Dazeley Impact Accelerator Programme to support the next generation of social and environmental impact ventures.
Allia Foundation, the Cambridge-based charity behind the Allia Future Business Centre and Allia Impact, yesterday honoured two of the individuals credited with making the Centre possible, unveiling named meeting rooms in memory of Gerald Avison and Simon Dazeley and launching a new accelerator programme carrying their names.
Gerald Avison, former Managing Director and Chairman of Cambridge technology and product development consultancy TTP Group, and Simon Dazeley, a long-standing director at Cambridge property agency Januarys (later acquired by Carter Jonas), were both instrumental in the creation of Allia Future Business Centre – a flexible workspace for innovative businesses driving positive social and environmental impact in Cambridge that has supported hundreds of businesses since opening in 2013. Both died after illness.
Gerald was among the earliest backers of the concept, leading TTP to invest £2.5 million in a zero-interest charitable bond in 2010 – a commitment that encouraged chip designer Arm to invest alongside it. He later added a further £1 million in low-interest secured bonds when the Allia Future Business Centre opened in 2013 and personally invested in and donated to Allia.
Simon, a property specialist, secured a seven-figure surplus for Allia on its first property, ran the architectural and developer competitions that enabled the Future Business Centre to be built, and secured the donation to Allia of the Papworth Printworks site.
Family, friends and colleagues of both men gathered at the Allia Future Business Centre for a celebration event, including speeches from Allia Foundation Chair Tim Jones, Carter Jonas Partner and Head of Planning and Development Colin Brown, and former TTP director Dr Chas Sims. Two of the Centre’s meeting rooms were renamed the Gerald Avison Room and the Simon Dazeley Room in their memory.
The event also launched the Avison-Dazeley Impact Accelerator Programme, Allia Impact’s flagship Cambridge-based accelerator supporting high-potential social and environmental impact ventures. Each year, a cohort of early-stage founders will receive structured venture support, mentoring, strategic connections and investor readiness guidance, helping to scale organisations creating meaningful impact across Cambridgeshire.
Tim Jones, Chair of Allia, said:
“Gerald and Simon are two of a small number of people where we can genuinely say we would not be where we are without them. Gerald’s early and generous backing of our bond funding gave others the confidence to follow, and Simon’s expertise and dedication turned an ambitious vision into a building. Naming these rooms in their memory and launching an accelerator that continues the work they championed, feels like the most fitting way we can thank them.”
Businesses and individuals who knew Gerald and Simon, or who share their belief in innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact, are invited to support the future growth of the programme. The Avison-Dazeley Impact Accelerator is expected to cost around £15,000 per year, Company contributions may qualify for a 25% tax rebate through Allia’s status as a Department for Business and Trade Local Enterprise Agency, and individual donations are eligible for Gift Aid.
Those interested in supporting the programme can contact Martin Clark, CEO of Allia Impact on martin.clark@allia.org or donate via this link.
