The Oxford Trust has submitted plans to Oxford City Council for its new Aspen Building to be built at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford, to provide additional laboratory and office grow-on space for science and tech start-ups.
The Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, named after the Trust’s late founder Sir Martin Wood’s favourite tree, has been designed in response to the increased demand for grow-on laboratory space in Oxford, particularly within the globally significant Headington Science Cluster. It will enable the Trust to further its mission and support for scientific research, discovery and education.
The Wood Centre for Innovation, which was opened in 2019 and is also the Trust’s HQ, totals 19,500 sq ft,including 14,961 sq ft of CL II laboratory and workspace across two floors and is home to pioneering science and technology companies, and Advanced Oxford.
“All our Wood Centre for Innovation companies are pushing the boundaries of research and development with breakthroughs in biotech and deep tech, driving positive change.
This multi-million pound investment funded by the Trust underlines our commitment to the Headington Science Cluster. The Aspen Building will mean we can continue expanding our support of science and tech start-ups by providing high-quality R&D lab and office space for grow-on companies to further scientific research and discovery, create local jobs, and contribute to Oxfordshire’s impressive wider innovation ecosystem.” – Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust
Under the Trust’s charitable business model, the funds generated from leasing the laboratory and office space will be reinvested in our innovation and STEM education and engagement programmes.
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