David Cameron recently opened the new Williams Advanced Engineering facility in Grove, Oxfordshire. The 3,800 sq m building is the result of an £8 million investment over the last two years.

It will accommodate up to 250 design engineers and features a ground-floor workshop with F1-inspired bays that can be used for one-off projects or low-volume production.

Williams Advanced Engineering specialises in energy-efficient solutions in four key areas: hybrid power systems and electronics, dynamics, advanced lightweight materials and cutting-edge aerodynamics.

Its expertise in energy-efficient technologies began with the hybridisation of F1 cars in 2009, with Williams becoming the only team to develop its hybrid technologies entirely in-house.

At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister said: “Formula One is a world-beating high-tech industry, and I am very proud that Britain and British engineers and designers play such a key role within it. Williams opening their Advanced Engineering facility in Oxfordshire is great news for the local area and a vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan to back business, create jobs and secure a better future for Britain.”

Mike O’Driscoll, Group CEO of Williams, said: “This new building gives our talented and diverse skills base a home. Our diversification programme has achieved much over the past few years, and I expect Williams Advanced Engineering to make rapid progress.”