£9 million laboratory hub opens to support Oxford science companies

The Oxford Trust has officially opened its new £9 million Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, providing much-needed laboratory and office space for science and technology companies while expanding opportunities for STEM education across the region.

The 17,000 ft² (1,600 m²) facility has been developed to support science and technology start-ups, SMEs and scale-up businesses, offering high-quality CL2 laboratory and office accommodation within Oxford's internationally recognised health and life sciences cluster. The building also includes a dedicated STEM resources room that will enable the Trust's Science Oxford team to expand its education and outreach activities across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The investment addresses growing demand for flexible, specialist laboratory space in Oxford, where many early-stage science companies face challenges securing facilities that allow them to grow. Once fully occupied, the Aspen Building is expected to support the creation of up to 80 additional jobs, further strengthening Oxford's position as a leading centre for scientific innovation and entrepreneurship.

The development forms part of The Oxford Trust's charitable business model, with income generated from its innovation centres reinvested into STEM education and public engagement programmes designed to inspire future scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

Steve Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of The Oxford Trust, said: 

"The opening of the Aspen Building is a landmark moment for The Oxford Trust and a significant investment in Oxford's innovation future. This facility provides the specialist laboratory and workspace that science and technology companies need to scale successfully, while strengthening the capacity of the Headington Science Cluster and Oxford's wider innovation ecosystem."

He added: "What makes Aspen unique is that every company we support also helps create wider social impact. Income generated through our innovation centres is reinvested into our STEM education and engagement programmes, enabling us to inspire thousands of young people, families and communities. The opening of the Aspen Building strengthens both sides of that mission – supporting innovation today while helping develop the scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow."

Designed with sustainability in mind, the Aspen Building has achieved BREEAM Excellent certification and incorporates photovoltaic roof panels, battery energy storage, air source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and enhanced landscaping to improve biodiversity across the site.

The Aspen Building joins the fully occupied Linden Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, further expanding The Oxford Trust's capacity to support high-growth science and technology businesses. Over the past year, the Trust has supported 28 science and technology companies employing around 350 people across its innovation centres, while Science Oxford has engaged more than 32,000 young people, families and community members through STEM education and public engagement activities.

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Image 1: Rt. Hon. Dame Anneliese Dodds MP cuts the ribbon to open The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation. L-R: Nicki Campling, Director of Innovation and Operations, The Oxford Trust, John Boyle, Chair of Trustees, The Oxford Trust, Rt. Hon. Dame Anneliese Dodds MP, Steve Burgess, CEO, The Oxford Trust. Credit: The Oxford Trust. Photos by Ed Nix

Image 2: Outside The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation for the official opening. L-R: Nicki Campling, Director of Innovation and Operations, The Oxford Trust, John Boyle, Chair of Trustees, The Oxford Trust, Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, Rt. Hon. Dame Anneliese Dodds MP, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Councillor Roz Smith, Vice Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, Steve Burgess, CEO, The Oxford Trust, councillor Chewe Munkonge, Lord Mayor of Oxford, Francesca MacLennan, Director of Science Education and Engagement, The Oxford Trust, Mark Beard, Chairman, Beard Construction. Credit: The Oxford Trust. Photos by Ed Nix

Image 3: Aerial of The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford. L-R: Linden Building, Science Oxford Centre & new Aspen Building. Credit: The Oxford Trust