DiPOLE Systems, based at the Harwell Campus, near Oxford, is a spin-out from the Central Laser Facility (CLF).

It aims to commercialise laser technology developed over 15 years at the site for use in defence, security, advanced manufacturing, and energy sectors.

Dr Tom Butcher, CEO of DiPOLE Systems, said: “We have created DiPOLE Systems to harness exceptional UK science and engineering to deliver results in the real world.

“We have been developing this laser technology at the CLF for the past 15 years, now we want to take it out of the lab and into the field.

“We are focused on commercialising proven laser technology – being clear about what is possible today, what requires further testing, and how its capability can deliver real benefit to our customers, from advanced imaging to protecting critical infrastructure.”

The company has secured £3.6 million in the first close of its planned £6 million seed funding round.

The round is co-led by Blackfinch Ventures and Empirical Ventures.

DiPOLE Systems’ technology combines high pulse energy with high repetition rates and has already been installed in major international facilities.

The team includes laser scientists and engineers from the CLF, who have decades of experience delivering complex laser systems worldwide.

Kimberley Hay, Ventures Director at Blackfinch Ventures, said: “At Blackfinch we are always excited to back founders who are redefining what deep‑tech can achieve, and DiPOLE is exactly that.

“Their laser systems unlock capabilities that were previously out ofreach, with applications ranging from industrial inspection to next‑generation security and energy technologies.”

The company will initially focus on markets where near-term value can be delivered.

These include counter-drone technology and advanced industrial imaging.

It is also exploring future applications in security, fusion energy, and semiconductor manufacturing, working closely with industry partners.

Professor Michele Dougherty, executive chair at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the scientists and engineers in our Central Laser Facility whose work over many years developing and finessing this technology has enabled the spin-out of DiPOLE Systems today.

“The new private enterprise creates the opportunity for the continued development of the capability to now be scaled responsibly though a UK-based company.”

The company plans to expand its team over the next year.

It will focus on building commercial, operational, and manufacturing capabilities.

DiPOLE will remain UK-based and operate within a framework aimed at strengthening the UK’s photonics sovereignty, while also pursuing international commercial opportunities.

Oxford Science Enterprises has appointed Antonia Jenkinson as chief financial officer as the investment firm moves towards more portfolio realisations.

Jenkinson joins from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, where she was founding chief financial and operating officer. At the UK government-backed research funding body, she helped deploy more than £450 million into science and technology projects.

Her appointment follows a period of exits for Oxford Science Enterprises, which backs companies emerging from Oxford research. In the past nine months, the firm recorded its first $1 billion unicorn exit with the sale of Oxford Ionics to IonQ, and sold Dark Blue Therapeutics to Amgen for total consideration of up to $840 million.

It added 12 new companies to its portfolio in 2025. A decade after launch, the firm is nearing a phase in which it expects more regular realisations from that portfolio.

Jenkinson succeeds Jim Wilkinson, who stepped down at the end of March after 10 years in the role. He joined Oxford Science Enterprises in 2015 at its inception and oversaw its finances through its early development and subsequent expansion.

Portfolio phase

Oxford Science Enterprises is an investor and venture builder focused on science and technology companies linked to Oxford research. Its portfolio spans deep tech, life sciences and health technology.

In addition, the enterprise has worked with more than 300 international investors, who have collectively invested more than £3 billion in more than 125 companies. That track record forms the backdrop to the finance leadership change as the business shifts its focus from company creation and backing towards exits and returns.

Jenkinson has held executive and non-executive roles across corporate finance, consultancy and board positions. In 2015, she received the Sunday Times Non-Executive Director Award. She is a chartered certified accountant and a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

In a statement on her appointment, Jenkinson said: “I am delighted to be joining OSE at such an exciting stage of its development. OSE has built an impressive portfolio and a clear long-term strategy. I look forward to working with the team to support its continued growth, drive value realisation for its shareholders, and help shape the next chapter of the organisation’s success.”

Chief Executive Officer Ed Bussey said the appointment reflected the firm’s priorities as it approaches a new stage of development.

He said: “I could not be more delighted to welcome Antonia to the OSE leadership team. Antonia’s capital raising and private equity-backed CFO experience, combined with her uniquely deep knowledge of the university innovation ecosystem in which OSE operates, make her exceptionally well-suited to the next phase of our journey, as we approach the point of regular realisations in our portfolio.”

Webtrends Optimize has appointed Samantha Bessant as Customer Success Director as the British conversion rate optimisation company expands its client operations.

Based at the company’s Surrey headquarters, Bessant will lead a team of five across account management, support and onboarding. She also joins the senior management team alongside Chief Executive Officer Matt Smith, IT Director Matt Goodchild, Marketing Director Ben Charlesworth and Product Director Sandeep Shah.

The appointment gives Webtrends Optimize a dedicated executive focused on client relationships and the internal processes behind customer delivery. The role is intended to strengthen client partnerships, increase the value customers get from its software products and create more scalable ways of working.

Founded in 2000, Webtrends Optimize sells software that helps businesses test and refine websites and digital journeys. Its tools include A/B testing, personalisation, social proof, product recommendations and onsite surveys, all aimed at improving user experience and increasing online conversion rates.

The business works with clients including Odeon, Halfords, Virgin Wines, AJ Bell, Community Fibre, Trussell and National Rail. It operates globally and describes itself as a British B Corp business.

Growth record

The hire follows what Webtrends Optimize described as its strongest year yet in 2025. Milestones included B Corp certification, a 41% increase in new accounts, 44 product updates and the launch of a new user interface.

The company also said it retained a 4.8 out of 5 score for A/B testing tools on G2, a software marketplace and review platform. Alongside its product and sales performance, it highlighted its status as an accredited Living Wage Employer, its membership of the SME Climate Hub and a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Webtrends Optimize said it donates 2% of annual revenue to charitable causes and community initiatives. That broader social and environmental profile has become a more visible part of how software companies present themselves to customers, employees and investors.

Experience

Bessant joins after roles at Adimo, Poq and Artesian Solutions. Management pointed to that experience as a factor in the appointment as the business works to formalise customer success across onboarding, support and account management.

In software companies, customer success teams have become more central as subscription revenues depend on renewals, expansion and day-to-day product adoption. For suppliers serving retailers, travel groups, charities and other consumer-facing organisations, the quality of support and the speed at which clients can use testing tools often determine whether contracts grow over time.

Executive view

Chief Executive Officer Matt Smith linked the appointment to the company’s recent growth and next stage of development.

“Samantha’s appointment marks another exciting moment in Webtrends Optimize’s history. Samantha’s previous experience working at Adimo, Poq and Artesian Solutions means she brings a wealth of talent and ideas, which we know will grow our business further and build on our recent achievements,” said Smith.

Bessant said the company’s customer base and management plans influenced her decision to join.

“Joining Webtrends Optimize was an obvious choice for me. Their client base speaks volumes about the strength of the product and there was an incredibly clear synergy between my experience and the ambitions of the senior management team for customer success,” said Bessant.