catalyst, formerly known as the northern ireland science park, was established in march 1999 to create a self-sustaining, internationally recognised, knowledge-based science park in northern ireland offering a commercial and research driven centre for knowledge-based industries. the park is headquartered in the titanic quarter, queen's island, belfast and hosts a range of international and local technology related companies. it currently has seven buildings in operation offering of workspace belfast's titanic quarter. 2700 engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs and executives work across the four catalyst sites in belfast, derry and ballymena. the longstanding chief executive dr norman apsley retired in november 2018 and was replaced by steve orr. 2008 marked the first year of commercial independence from government. the park was re-branded catalyst inc in 2016 and catalyst in 2019.