Malmesbury-based technology group Dyson is to receive up to £16m from the Government to help finance research and development into next-generation battery technology.
The funding, announced by Chancellor George Osborne in this week’s Budget, will be made through a special regional growth fund which encourages investment in potential job-generating future technologies. 
Dyson, best known for its pioneering bagless vacuum cleaners and a range of other innovative appliances, is developing a £250m technology campus at Malmesbury which could eventually employ upwards of 3,000 highly skilled engineers and designers.
The firm is investing heavily in battery technology and last October acquired US battery technology company Sakti3 in a deal estimated to be worth around $90m (£58m). Sakti3 has produced an advanced lithium ion battery that could be used to power Dyson’s advanced digital motors.
Wiltshire Council said the Exceptional Regional Growth Fund (ERGF) funding from the Treasury would help Dyson create around 570 direct high-value jobs and many more indirect in the supply chain and support functions in the county’s strong advanced manufacturing sector.
It said it had worked very closely with Dyson to help with the expansion of the technology campus – most recently through significant highways improvements.
Dyson founder and inventor James Dyson, pictured, said: “Dyson technology developed here in Wiltshire is driving our growth globally and fuelling UK exports in the process. We’re investing £1bn in our battery technology which will power our future technology and this grant will help ensure the expertise and intellectual property is developed here creating highly skilled jobs.“
Wiltshire Council leader Baroness Scott of Bybrook added: “We are committed to boosting the local economy here in Wiltshire and we have worked closely with Dyson to ensure this world leader in business continues to be a part of Wiltshire.
“The Treasury announcement is very welcome as it will help to unlock further investment by Dyson in addition to the company’s decision to locate its new research and development and technology campus at Malmesbury, creating around 3,000 jobs.
“This news underlines Wiltshire’s position as a high quality business location and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Dyson on the next phase of their plans.”
