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Queen’s announces Henry Brothers as contractor for new £37m Momentum One Zero innovation centre

Queen’s University Belfast has today announced Henry Brothers as the appointed contractor to build the £37 million expansion of Momentum One Zero’s new state-of-the-art facility at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

(L-R) Orla Carew – Queen’s Estates Programme Manager, Lucy McCutcheon – Atkins Realis Project Director, Ian Duddy – Queen’s Director of Estates, David Henry – Managing Director, Henry Brothers Ltd, Ian McCully – Senior Contracts Director, Henry Brothers Ltd, Stephen McCabe – Executive Director, Momentum One Zero, Heather Alford – Head of Project Delivery, Momentum One Zero, Shaun Hegarty – Queen’s Estates Manager (Major Projects), Kara Bailie – BRCD Deputy Director of Strategic Programmes

The facility will create a world-class hub for cybersecurity, AI, and wireless innovation as part of wider £70m project led by the University. Construction has just commenced, with full operation of the site expected by the end of 2027. 

This project marks a decisive moment for Momentum One Zero (M1.0), which already operates from Queen’s Titanic Quarter base and will see a significant physical enlargement to house additional labs, co-working zones, and high-performance computing capacity.  

The extension underpins Momentum One Zero’s commitment to Secure Connected Intelligence, innovation at the convergence of cybersecurity, AI, and wireless technologies, and will act as a launchpad for business-led projects in health, agri-food and net-zero to drive commercial value for companies.  

Led by Queen’s University Belfast, Momentum One Zero is an integral component of the £70m Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), aimed at accelerating inclusive digital growth in the region. The expanded facility will enable M1.0 to host over 550 collaborative experts across industry and academia once completed in 2027.   

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said:  

“At Queen’s, we are committed to delivering innovation that transforms lives and economies. Momentum One Zero, alongside our other innovation centres AMIC and iREACH Health, is central to that vision. This new facility will ensure Northern Ireland is at the forefront of secure, connected digital technologies, building resilience for business, creating new jobs, and attracting global investment. It reflects our role as a civic university and our determination to drive inclusive growth across the region.” 

Stephen McCabe, Executive Director of Momentum One Zero, added: This award marks a significant milestone in our journey to make Belfast a global hub for secure, connected digital technologies. Our new building at Titanic Quarter will give industry partners access to the facilities, expertise, and talent they need to innovate with confidence. Building on the success of Queen’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), Momentum One Zero is about creating real outcomes for companies, from stronger cyber resilience to smarter use of AI and wireless, integrating across all of these technology spaces through our in-house engineering team. This new facility will enable us to deliver that impact at scale.”  

David Henry, Managing Director, Henry Brothers Ltd, commented: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Queen’s through the construction of Momentum One Zero’s new facility at Titanic Quarter. This project represents a landmark investment in Northern Ireland’s digital future. Our team is committed to delivering a state-of-the-art building that reflects the ambition and global outlook of Momentum One Zero, while embedding social value by creating apprenticeship opportunities and supporting local employment.”  

This new contract places Momentum One Zero squarely in the company of flagship innovation assets for Northern Ireland, such as iREACH Health and AMIC (Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre).  M1.0 is the centrepiece for digital innovation, driving the infrastructure, talent, and systems that empower intelligent, connected solutions.  

In the coming years, the facility is expected to host world-class testbeds, challenge-based innovation programs, and industry translation projects. The physical expansion also signals a commitment to co-location, enabling companies to embed themselves into the ecosystem now growing in Belfast’s Innovation District.  

Furthermore, this extension aligns with existing infrastructure and research heritage, building on Queen’s institute that has long anchored cybersecurity and wireless research in the region.   

As Momentum One Zero steps into this ambitious phase, it invites NI businesses, entrepreneurs, and collaborators to join the journey. This is more than a building, this is a platform for bold innovation, where partnerships across sectors will bring real-world solutions to life.  

For organisations ready to explore how they can work with Momentum One Zero, contact: momentumonezero@qub.ac.uk 

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