How do you design a physical space that matches the lightning-fast pace of modern scientific discovery? This episode explores the new paradigm for innovation districts with Professor Dame Kay Davies and Victoria Collett of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St. John's College.

The conversation covers the critical transition from academic lab work, where Professor Davies has spent 30 years researching Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, to the intense, milestone-driven world of biotech spin-outs. Victoria Collett, Development Director for the £1.2 billion Oxford North project, explains how its mixed-use, master-planned environment—complete with flexible lab spaces, public art, and community areas—is specifically engineered to foster the "serendipitous moments" crucial for breakthroughs.

Kay and Victoria also discuss the vital importance of connectivity, noting that the UK’s life sciences VC investment has been selective recently, making integrated innovation clusters like Oxford North, which is positioned on the East West Rail corridor, essential for capturing future talent and growth.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:10) - Kay Davies' Journey in Medical Research
• (02:10) - Challenges and Innovations in Drug Development
• (03:11) - The Role of Oxford North in Scientific Advancements
• (06:39) - Victoria Collett on Developing Oxford North
• (08:06) - Designing Spaces for Innovation and Collaboration
• (11:54) - Integrating Science, Art, and Community
• (18:56) - The Importance of Connectivity and Accessibility
• (26:26) - Long-Term Vision and Investment in Oxford North
• (30:10) - Historical Significance and Future Aspirations

Connect with Kay on LinkedIn

Victoria Collett: Development Director at Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St. John’s College, where she led the creation of Oxford North. A chartered surveyor with over 20 years of experience in development and regeneration, Victoria specialises in large-scale mixed-use masterplans, bringing a unique perspective on community, placemaking, and commercial flexibility to the £1.2 billion global innovation district.

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn

Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn / Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for exclusive content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya and Oxford North.

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What if the key to the future of global mobility was found not in isolation, but in a carefully curated community?

Host Susannah de Jager sits down with Dan Geoghegan, CEO of Bicester Motion, the visionary behind the world's largest automotive and future mobility cluster. Dan details his systematic, values-driven approach to turning a derelict RAF bomber station into a thriving, 444-acre ecosystem of 54 businesses—ranging from historic vehicle restorers to pioneers in net-zero fuels.

They discuss the critical benefits of clustering, where like minds and complementary businesses achieve greater efficiency and critical mass. Dan shares the vital lesson that focusing on community, inclusivity, and long-term partnership with tenants actually leads to better business results and high occupancy.

Tune in to hear how his bold vision and "fly the plane as you build it" entrepreneurship has created an economic powerhouse in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, actively shaping the path to net-zero.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:58) - The Birth of Bicester Motion
• (04:15) - From Concept to Reality: Building the Cluster
• (07:40) - Challenges and Naysayers
• (09:43) - The Importance of Community and Collaboration
• (13:36) - Sustaining Growth and Innovation
• (22:52) - The Role of Shareholders and Long-term Vision
• (25:19) - Navigating Geopolitical and Economic Changes
• (27:55) - Showcasing Bicester Motion's Companies
• (37:04) - Sustainability and Future Plans

Dan Geoghegan: The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Bicester Motion, the world-leading automotive and future mobility cluster located on a former RAF Bomber Station. Dan’s vision combines a passion for historic motoring with expertise in private investment and corporate finance to create a dynamic centre for innovation, experience, and heritage. He was honoured with the Outstanding UK Leader Award at the 2022 Autocar Awards for his leadership in "redefining the automotive experience for the modern era through real estate." Recently, he has driven the site's expansion, including the completion of the new £26.8 million headquarters for Mercedes-Benz-owned YASA.

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn / Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for exclusive content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya and Oxford North.

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How do you maintain a strong company culture and team commitment as your organisation scales?

In the third and final part of this series, Professor Robin Dunbar sits down with host Susannah de Jager to explore how social science can provide the answer. Robin explains that maintaining deep relationships with your core team is a huge "time burden" for leaders, but it is essential for fostering trust and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

The conversation delves into the historical context of community-building in business, referencing the practices of 19th-century founders who built social clubs and community centres for their workers. Professor Dunbar highlights the importance of social engagement, from feasting and singing to the simple act of having a pub on-site, as a way to create a powerful sense of belonging. He argues that HR departments should focus less on legal issues and more on creating opportunities for social engagement to cultivate a committed workforce.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:10) - Social Layers and Business Relationships
• (01:49) - Time Investment in Relationships
• (03:26) - Challenges of Management and Social Relationships
• (06:40) - Historical Perspectives on Workforce Engagement
• (08:36) - Modern Examples of Building Community
• (10:17) - The Role of Social Activities in Organisations
• (13:12) - Hybrid Working and Social Cohesion
• (15:38) - Retaining Talent and Alumni Networks

Professor Robin Dunbar: A renowned professor who invented Dunbar's number, the concept that humans can only meaningfully connect with approximately 150 people. As a professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Oxford, his research explores the behavioural, cognitive, and neuroendocrinological factors that influence social bonding. His work in evolutionary psychology and anthropology provides unique insights into how human dynamics influence group sizes and social structures in both historic and modern contexts, including business.

Connect with Robin on LinkedIn

Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn / Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for exclusive content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya and Oxford North.

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.