We are delighted to welcome Annelise Vuidepot and Stuart Wilkinson to the Advanced Oxford board.
Advanced Oxford has made some changes to the Board this year, reflecting the growth of the organisation. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Annelise Vuidepot and Dr. Stuart Wilkinson, to the Advanced Oxford board. Stuart and Annelise join alongside existing board members: Gillian Burgess (Chair), Jane Galsworthy, Sarah Haywood, Steve Burgess, and Jens Tholstrup.
Annelise Vuidepot, PhD- SVP- CTO, Research and UK Site Lead at Immunocore
Dr Annelise Vuidepot brings over two decades of experience at Immunocore, where she has been instrumental in designing and engineering the ImmTAX platform, a pioneering TCR-based therapeutic technology. She currently leads Immunocore’s drug discovery pipeline and spearheads efforts to expand the capabilities of the ImmTAX platform. As Immunocore’s UK Site Head, Annelise’s leadership extends to shaping cutting-edge research initiatives.
Before joining Immunocore, Annelise was a postdoctoral researcher in the Biochemistry department at University College London. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Paris and a PhD in Biophysics from the Ecole Polytechnique in Saclay, France. We look forward to her contributions to Advanced Oxford and her perspective on driving innovation in the life sciences.
‘I am delighted to have Dr Annelise Vuidepot as a member of Advanced Oxford’s Board. It is fitting that Annelise joins us as Immunocore was instrumental in the work to establish and set up Advanced Oxford in its early days. Annelise brings fantastic experience to the Board, having joined Immunocore shortly after it span out of University of Oxford. She fully understands what it takes to take a company from spin-out to commercial, multi-national company, working within Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem.’- Advanced Oxford’s Managing Director, Sarah Haywood
Stuart Wilkinson- CEO, Knowledge Exchange UK
Dr Stuart Wilkinson joins us as CEO of Knowledge Exchange UK, a global leader in promoting collaboration between universities, businesses, and other organisations. With a career deeply rooted in Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem, Stuart has held pivotal roles in technology transfer, regional innovation, and entrepreneurship. His experience includes setting up spin-out companies, developing incubators, and shaping innovation strategies.
Stuart’s passion for fostering collaboration and his understanding of the interplay between science and technology make him a valuable addition to Advanced Oxford.
‘Stuart has been working with Advanced Oxford for some time, as he was one of our key member representatives during his time at University of Oxford. Stuart has great experience of working with and across Oxfordshire, as well as having been instrumental in spinning out technology from the University. Stuart’s role as CEO of Knowledge Exchange UK is complementary to our work and we will benefit from his experience of running another membership organisation which is also focused on innovation and impact.’ Advanced Oxford’s Managing Director, Sarah Haywood
We are also pleased to share insights from Stuart through a “Get to Know” feature:
How long have you been working within Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem?
Pretty much my whole professional, career – my first job after postgraduate studies was in a local science park connecting businesses and researchers. I then took up roles in technology transfer setting up new spin-out companies, and then moved into roles that supported the development of the Oxfordshire innovation system. This took various forms from setting up new incubators and funds and contributing to innovation strategies for the region. In early 2024 I took up a national role leading an organisation that promotes knowledge exchange as collaboration between universities and partners. From that role it’s clear there is a growing appreciation of importance of local innovation ecosystems across the UK.
What’s kept me here so long is the breadth and diversity of innovation activities here and the creativity and drive to innovate across the county and to do so in ever more sophisticated ways.
What areas of science/technology are you most excited about?
What I am really excited is the about is interplay of different areas of science and technology and the new opportunities and developments that can result. Oxfordshire, and the UK more generally, is well placed to explore those cross-over areas with its world class research base across such a breadth of disciplines, and the continuing development of its innovation ecosystem.
What is your prediction for an emerging sector or area of science which will be the basis for new companies in the next 5 years?
Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t know it yet due to the rapid pace of innovation and commercialisation which looks set to continue as the investment in research, and company growth continues. With growing appreciation and aspirations for innovation potential to address key global and societal problems, it’s going to be important to combine expertise and consider its implications broadly to ensure the most beneficial impact.
If you could wave a magic wand, what one thing would you change about Oxfordshire as a place for innovation and commercialisation of science?
A greater appreciation in Oxfordshire and around the world of the unique potential here for innovation and commercialisation to make a real difference near and far. And for that to result in many more collaborations across the UK and the world in order to harness and connect that potential to address some of the biggest challenges of our times.
What do you see as the value of Advanced Oxford?
Back in 2013, I had the privilege of being on a coach trip to Cambridge to study the innovation ecosystem there with leaders from Oxfordshire in academia, local government and business, which helped to identify the need for the Oxford innovation Engine Report, and the need for a stronger voice from technology and knowledge based businesses in the county to help shape the ecosystem… That trip was the basis for the idea of Advanced Oxford. As the ecosystem matures the challenges change and develop and having Advanced Oxford to identify and articulate them is key for those businesses to succeed and to generate the benefits that brings.
What piece of career advice would you give the younger you?
Follow what looks interesting and fun, back yourself, and enjoy the adrenaline of doing something new and innovative.
