Equinox, the Oxfordshire-wide partnership connecting business, universities, investors, government and communities, has appointed Dr Olga Kozlova to the newly created role of chief executive officer to drive delivery of its Strategy 2035.
Launched at the House of Commons on 19 October 2026, Equinox Strategy 2035 aims to build on Oxfordshire’s world-leading research and enterprise strengths to create a more connected, investable and inclusive innovation economy. Over the next decade, the strategy targets 20 unicorn companies, more than £1 billion a year in venture and growth investment and 30,000 net new innovation-linked jobs.
Its ambitions also include attracting investment from 10 Tier 1 US venture capital funds and 10 UK pension funds, securing a permanent Oxfordshire presence for six global corporates and ranking the county among the world’s top three innovation-intensive clusters per capita.
A new role to turn ambition into action
As CEO, Dr Kozlova will work with partners to turn these ambitions into action, strengthen Oxfordshire’s global investment proposition and extend the benefits of innovation-led growth across the county. She will take on the role alongside her position as director of innovation and engagement at the University of Oxford.
Professor Irene Tracey, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and chair of the Equinox Council, said: “Oxford and Oxfordshire have an extraordinary concentration of talent, research excellence and entrepreneurial ambition. But our success must be measured not only by what we discover and create, but by the difference it makes to people’s lives and the opportunities it opens up across our communities.
“Equinox Strategy 2035 sets out an ambitious vision for achieving this together. Olga’s appointment as CEO is an important step in turning that shared ambition into action. Her leadership will be invaluable in bringing partners together, strengthening our innovation ecosystem and ensuring that Oxfordshire’s success delivers lasting benefits locally, nationally and globally.”
Dr Olga Kozlova said: “Oxford has an extraordinary global reputation for research, discovery and innovation. Our opportunity now is to connect those strengths more effectively, unlock their full potential and ensure that the benefits reach further across Oxfordshire.
“Strategy 2035 gives us a shared direction and a clear ambition for the future. I’m delighted to take on this role at such an important moment for Equinox, working with our partners to turn that ambition into action and build an innovation economy that is globally competitive, locally connected and inclusive by design.”
A broad partnership behind the strategy
The University of Oxford provides the Equinox secretariat, with the Equinox Council, Operational Board and wider partnership across public and private sectors providing strategic oversight and supporting delivery. More than 100 organisations have signed the Equinox Charter, with over 200 people participating in workshops and events.
The Equinox Strategy 2035 is available at www.oxfordequinox.com/strategy.
