Aspen building in Oxford’s trust innovation centre opened

The Aspen Building, developed by The Oxford Trust, was officially opened on Friday, July 17, as part of the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington’s science and technology cluster.

Dame Anneliese Dodds MP for Oxford East, who formally opened the building during a ceremony attended by civic leaders and members of the science and business community, said: “I’m proud that Oxford East has long been a place where innovation, enterprise and opportunity come together.

“The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation is a great example of how investment in local facilities can support growing businesses, create high-quality jobs and keep Oxford at the forefront of scientific discovery.”

The 17,000 sq ft facility provides state-of-the-art CL2 laboratory and office space across two floors, designed to support science and technology start-ups, SMEs, and scale-ups in the life sciences sector.

Dame Dodds also praised The Oxford Trust’s work with schools and communities, saying: “Equally important is The Oxford Trust’s work with schools and local communities, helping ensure that young people from across our constituency can see a future for themselves in science, technology and innovation.”

The Aspen Building is part of The Oxford Trust’s charitable business model, which reinvests income from its innovation centres into STEM education and engagement activities, delivered by its Science Oxford team.

John Boyle, chair of trustees at The Oxford Trust, said: “The opening of this new facility is a proud moment for the Trust.

“By creating additional laboratory and office space for growing science and technology businesses, while expanding our STEM education facilities to expand delivery through Science Oxford, this new building perfectly reflects our charitable mission to encourage the pursuit of science.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, the building has achieved BREEAM Excellent certification and will deliver at least 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain across its surrounding woodland site.

The project supported approximately 600 jobs during construction, including 80 local jobs.

Once fully occupied, the Aspen Building is expected to generate up to 80 additional jobs.

Steve Burgess, CEO 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.”

The building sits alongside the fully occupied Linden Building and will further enhance The Oxford Trust’s support for high-growth science and technology businesses.