The new owners of one of Kent’s most successful science parks are “straightforward honest property people” who will forge closer ties with London investors, according to the site’s managing director.

The property consortium that has taken control of Discovery Park in Sandwich will attract investment from companies and universities in the capital, said the business hub’s boss, Paul Barber.

Last month it was announced that Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave, the North East entrepreneurs who bought the site in 2012, have sold their shareholding in the business park to investment company Discovery Park Estates Limited.

The duo took control of the estate four years ago, shortly after Pfizer announced plans to dramatically scale back its operations there, costing thousands of jobs.

The site has since become a leading science and technology park, growing from hosting five business tenants to more than 150 companies employing 2,400 people.

Mr Barber, who runs day-to-day operations on behalf of Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave, said: “The new owners have got links with investors in the London market, and I expect they will seek to have more links with London companies and universities and get more and more investment from there to Discovery Park, which would be great.”

Little is yet known about the new owners. Records at Companies House show Discovery Park Estates Limited is owned by directors Bernard Spitz and Simcha Green.

It is believed the consortium is made up of about a dozen investors, who have each put in their own money.

Mr Barber said: “They are straight-forward honest property people who will put their own stamp on the place in the same way we would if we bought something else.”

The purchase of the site comes at a handy time for Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave, who are also developing plans to build 2,500 homes, commercial space and leisure facilities on the former Manston airport.

Their scheme, named Stone Hill Park, is awaiting the result of an outline planning application with Thanet District Council.

Mr Barber said the former owners had not been looking to sell Discovery Park and were planning to wait another year.

However, he added, they were persuaded to sell for a multi-million pound figure after being convinced the consortium was made up of “the right people”.

He said: “This is not an entirely straightforward property investment. It is not just a parade of shops where you collect the rent. You need to live and breath it.

“They are straight-forward honest property people who will put their own stamp on the place in the same way we would if we bought something else...” - Paul Barber on Discovery Park's new owners

“It is such a dynamic place where lots of interaction happens between different companies based here.

“You need to get involved and understand what different companies do.

“The new owners have got under the skin of it and they have spent quite a bit of time with us getting to know the site.

“We are confident they will take it to new areas.”

Ray Mallon, spokesman for Stone Hill Park, said Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave’s decision to sell was a good thing for the Thanet scheme.

He said: “The reason they sold is because there are only so many hours in a day.

“The worst thing a business can do is over-stretch itself in time, rather than money. Stone Hill Park requires a lot of time.

“The sale means they can concentrate solely on Stone Hill Park.”

He added: “The timing is fortuitous, but they say you make your own luck.”

Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave will continue to be shareholders of Parkserve Ltd, the company that manages Discovery Park on a day-to-day basis.

Parkserve will carry on operating the site for about six months until the new owners have got used to their new surroundings, at which point their management team will take over.

When this happens Parkserve managing director Paul Barber, finance director Kevin Howes and leasing director Anna Stone will find themselves out of a job, but Mr Barber did not rule out the prospect of his team moving over to his bosses’ new venture on the former Manston airport site, Stone Hill Park.

"If Stone Hill Park gets planning permission I think I will be playing a part in making that a reality and I think it would be a great project for east Kent..." - Paul Barber, Discovery Park

He said: “I see my future in this part of the world. If Stone Hill Park gets planning permission I think I will be playing a part in making that a reality and I think it would be a great project for east Kent.

“It is a natural extension of what we have been doing at Discovery Park but on a larger scale.

“As a site for housing which reduces pressure on farm land I think it is a great project for Thanet and east Kent.

“No one has produced a business plan for an airport to reopen so that doesn’t seem a sensible alternative.

“You have got to face facts haven’t you?”

Ray Mallon, spokesman for Stone Hill Park, said: “Discovery Park is now on the up and we see Stone Hill Park as a natural overflow site. There’s a synergy between the big sites.”