Oxford+

What happens when you point some of the world's strongest analytical tools at problems money alone has never fixed?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Juan M Lavista Ferres, Corporate Vice President and Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft and director of its AI for Good Lab. Juan explains how a study of 20 million births changed what researchers knew about smoking and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, why a satellite image and a CT scan are the same problem to a machine learning team, and how roughly 100 incoming requests get filtered down to two or three funded projects.

The timing is pointed. The World Economic Forum reported in August 2026 that the world faces a shortage of health workers by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum, which is the exact supply gap behind Juan's work on preventable blindness in premature babies. He is equally clear about the limits: no data, no access, no expert partner, no project. Every tool his team builds, he says, could also be used as a weapon.

Juan M Lavista Ferres: Juan M Lavista Ferres is Corporate Vice President and Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft and director of the AI for Good Lab, which he co-founded in 2018. He leads a team of data scientists and researchers in AI, machine learning and statistical modelling, working with domain experts on health, sustainability, humanitarian response and accessibility. Before Microsoft he spent five years at the Inter-American Development Bank, and after joining Microsoft in 2009 he worked on the Experimentation Platform and the Bing data mining team before moving into applied research. His SIDS work with academic collaborators was published in Pediatrics, and he is a co-author of the lab's AI for Good book. He is a co-author of the 2025 JAMA Network Open study on AI-enabled screening for retinopathy of prematurity in low-resource settings.

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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.

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In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How can one of the UK's most prosperous counties also hold some of its widest gaps in life expectancy and school results?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Jeremy Long, co-chair of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, about what an inclusive economy looks like in practice and why averages hide as much as they reveal. Jeremy sets out the OIEP's three working groups, early years, youth engagement and inclusive employers, and the charter that lets organisations pick the pledges they can act on now.

He describes taking employers into HMP Bullingdon to see how ex-offenders can return to work, the early years summit that put school readiness back on the county agenda, and plans to revive work experience through the Opportunity For All event. The timing matters. Figures published on 27 August 2026 show 981,000 young people across the UK were not in education, employment or training between April and June, according to the Office for National Statistics. Jeremy explains how Oxfordshire can match unfilled roles with local talent, and how Equinox extends that work.

Jeremy Long: Jeremy Long is co-chair of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, a collaboration of more than 100 organisations across business, local government, the universities, education and the voluntary and community sectors. A chartered accountant by training, he spent fifteen years as chief executive of MTR Corporation's European business and chaired the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership from 2016 to 2023. He has chaired the board of trustees at River Learning Trust since October 2023, sits as a non-executive director of National Grid Electricity Transmission, and chairs the Oxford energy efficiency installer EnergyMyWay.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What should AI actually do for us, rather than simply what can it do?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Caroline Green, Director of Research at Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI, about care as one of the defining ethical questions of the AI age. Caroline explains what care means inside a regulated social care system, why OpenAI and Anthropic have started borrowing the language of caregiving, and where she thinks that borrowing should worry us.

The conversation moves between the very specific and the very broad: carebots collecting data while they chat to residents, the Oxford framework that helps providers question technology suppliers properly, a week in Dharamsala learning how Tibetan communities use AI to preserve their language, and the civic AI work she is developing with Ambassador Audrey Tang. New Stanford research published this month found that people with smaller social networks who turn to AI companions for emotional support report lower well-being, which makes Caroline's warning about caring-sounding systems timely. Two phrases anchor the episode: serving, not harming, and connection, not convenience.

Dr. Caroline Green: Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green is Director of Research and Head of Public Engagement at the Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford, where she leads the Accelerator Fellowship Programme. She is one of the UK's leading voices on the responsible use of AI in health and social care. Caroline co-led the Oxford Project on the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Social Care and wrote its April 2025 white paper setting out a value-led approach, work that led to the AI in Care Alliance whose vision and priorities were agreed at the second AI in Social Care Summit in March 2026. She also leads Truth and Trust: AI and Young People, a research collaboration with the BBC announced in February 2026. Caroline holds an LLB from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Human Rights from the LSE, an MA in Investigative Journalism from City University and a PhD in Gerontology from King's College London.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What do you do when the technology arrives faster than the plan you wrote for it?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Professor Anne Trefethen, Professor of Scientific Computing at the University of Oxford and Trustee of the Alan Turing Institute, about leading a university through the arrival of generative AI. Oxford published its digital strategy in 2022, weeks before ChatGPT appeared, and Anne explains why it then took courage to stop, rethink planned investments and add the governance she had hoped to avoid.

The conversation moves from student adoption and equal access to what national resilience now means: sovereign capability, models we can trust because we know what they were trained on, and enough trained people to use them well. It lands in the middle of a live policy push, with the UK government expanding free AI training to reach 10 million workers by 2030.

Anne also makes the case for optimism, and for changing how we prepare graduates as entry-level work shifts. Useful listening for anyone setting AI strategy inside a large, complex organisation.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Who really benefits when an innovation ecosystem succeeds?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager talks to Dr Olga Kozlova, Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford, about Equinox, Equitable Innovation Oxford, the regional partnership she has helped drive since its launch. Olga explains why Oxford wants to avoid repeating San Francisco's mistakes, where economic success sat alongside rising poverty and crime, and how Equinox is instead building a skills agenda, an inward investment unit and a founders' pledge to spread the benefits of growth more widely.

The conversation lands as the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor gains fresh momentum, with government plans to double funding and unlock up to £78 billion for the UK economy by 2035. Olga argues that Britain needs more national pride in its innovation strengths, and a clearer story about why Oxfordshire's growth should matter to everyone who lives there, not just those inside the university's walls.

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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What if the biggest barrier to justice is not the law itself, but who can reach it?

In this episode of Oxford+, part of the Ethics and Innovation miniseries sponsored by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Professor Philippa Webb, co-founder of the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, about whether artificial intelligence can close the global justice gap rather than widen it. Philippa explains why only a small fraction of people who need a lawyer can access one, how her team is building legal tools for women and girls in Malawi, and why judges in Brazil and Argentina are already teaching themselves to code and building their own agents.

The conversation also confronts the risks. Deepfakes are now trivially easy to produce, digital evidence is piling up unused in atrocity prosecutions, and 130 states have suffered cyber attacks. With the World Economic Forum reporting that 87% of organisations see AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk, Philippa makes the case for legal routes to accountability, better training, and closing the perception gap that still keeps AI out of the courtroom.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What do our conversations with machines reveal about what it means to be human?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Professor Edward Harcourt, Director of Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI, about the parts of human life that no algorithm can reproduce. Edward argues that the real risk of chatbots is not that they reshape social life, but that people mistake them for something real.

Recorded as the UK government confirmed a ban on social media for under-16s from spring 2027, the conversation moves from embodiment and mortality to attachment theory, pluralism and the limits of machine minds. Edward warns of two quieter dangers: cognitive atrophy, as we outsource our thinking, and social atrophy, as we trade human contact for efficiency. 

Edward Harcourt: Edward Harcourt is Director of the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, where he is also Professor of Philosophy and a Fellow of Keble College. His work sits at the boundary of ethics and the philosophy of mind, and his research at the Institute focuses on AI and humanity: how human values should shape the design, governance and use of AI, and what philosophical reflection on AI reveals about what is unique to human beings. From 2018 to 2022 he was Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation at UK Research and Innovation's Arts and Humanities Research Council, where he helped develop its Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) programme. He is the editor of Attachment and Character (Oxford University Press, 2021) and has written widely on moral psychology, child development and Wittgenstein. He was appointed MBE.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What if AI could strengthen democracy instead of concentrating power?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s Cyber Ambassador and former Digital Minister, about civic AI, digital democracy and the practical alternatives to extractive big tech models. Audrey explains why data should be treated as soil, not oil, and how smaller, community-shaped models can serve families, cities and nations without forcing everyone into a single technological dependency.

The conversation moves from Taiwan’s pandemic response to deepfake fraud, social media portability, local Kami models and the 6-Pack of Care, offering a hopeful but grounded vision for AI governance. Recent reporting on Taiwan’s anti-fraud work shows why this matters now: Audrey has said Taiwan’s civic AI approach helped reduce deepfake scams by more than 94%, as reported by MIT Solve.

For policymakers, founders and citizens, this episode asks a practical question: how do we design AI systems that increase participation, transparency and trust, rather than deepening dependency, polarisation and surveillance?

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does it really mean to say that an AI system understands, reasons or thinks?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Raphaël Millière, Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford, about the deep conceptual questions behind today’s AI systems. Raphaël explains why strong performance on a benchmark does not always prove real competence, why language models learn in a profoundly different way from humans, and why common sense remains such a revealing fault line in AI research.

The conversation moves from consciousness and anthropomorphism to the geopolitical stakes of sovereign AI. Recent research from Anthropic on global workspace-like structures in language models shows why questions about internal representations are becoming more urgent, while the European Commission’s 2026 technological sovereignty package underlines how AI capability is now tied to economic resilience, national security and democratic control.

Raphaël Millière: Raphaël Millière is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of Jesus College and affiliated with the Institute for Ethics in AI. His research sits at the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science and artificial intelligence, with a focus on the capacities and limitations of contemporary AI systems, including language understanding, reasoning, planning, consciousness and AI safety. He also holds an AI2050 Fellowship from Schmidt Sciences, and his recent work includes The Philosophy of Language Models, published in Philosophy Compass.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Can democracies capture the economic benefits of AI while protecting citizens from the unintended consequences?

In this episode of Ethics and Innovation by Oxford+ brought to you by Equinox, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Lord Lionel Tarassenko, founding President of Reuben College and a pioneer of machine learning in safety-critical systems, about why the race to build ever more powerful models increasingly resembles an arms race. They explore whether the UK's long focus on ethical AI has become a competitive advantage, how Britain should position itself between the United States, Europe and China, and why sovereign AI and sovereign data assets matter for defending national values.

The conversation lands at a pivotal moment. Days after the UK government announced a ban on social media use by under-16s modelled on Australia's, Lionel explains why he changed his mind and now sees a ban as the only real leverage over platforms that have resisted safety by design for a decade. From AI literacy in schools to the case for putting the AI Security Institute on a statutory footing, this is a clear-eyed look at governing a technology moving faster than policy.

Lord Lionel Tarassenko: Lionel Tarassenko, Baron Tarassenko CBE FREng FMedSci, is the founding President of Reuben College, Oxford, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Research Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. A world-leading expert in the application of signal processing and machine learning to healthcare, he was among the first to apply machine learning to real-world, safety-critical systems, from Rolls-Royce jet-engine health monitoring to NHS patient monitoring. The critical-care system he designed was the first machine learning system to gain FDA approval, in 2008. He founded four University spin-out companies, directed the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, and edited the 2019 Topol Review of NHS technology and the workforce. He was appointed a non-party-political life peer in 2024 and sits on the crossbenches, where he speaks on AI, healthcare and digital policy.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How do we ensure technology serves society rather than society becoming subject to technology? And perhaps most importantly, what does progress actually mean?

In this special Oxford+ Miniseries, we're going to speak to leading academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners working at the intersection of ethics, technology, and society. Together, we're going to explore questions including how should we govern powerful new technologies? What does human flourishing look like in the age of AI? How is technology shaping childhood, relationships, and mental health? And how can innovation ecosystems ensure that prosperity is shared more broadly?

The aim of this miniseries is not to provide definitive answers, rather to help all of us ask better questions. Because the future is not something that simply happens to us, it's something we can choose to build.

Ethics and Innovation is proudly sponsored by Equinox, Equitable Innovation Oxford. Equinox brings together leaders from across business, academia, local government, and civil society to ensure that the benefits of Oxford's remarkable innovation ecosystem are shared more widely across communities helping to create more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for the region.

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.

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The Ethics & Innovation Miniseries is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Equinox.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What changes when an innovation ecosystem stops talking about problems and starts talking about solutions?

In this wrap of Season Four, Oxford+ host Susannah de Jager reflects on a clear shift in rhetoric across the series, from missing pieces of the puzzle to a real sense of momentum in Oxford and the wider UK. She points to initiatives like Equinox, Equitable Innovation Oxford, and the inaugural Oxford Tech Week as signs of an ecosystem finally galvanising itself and becoming easier to engage with.

The timing fits a buoyant national picture: UK startup funding reached $7.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 60 per cent year on year, the strongest start to a year since 2022, according to HSBC Innovation Banking and Dealroom. Susannah also looks ahead, previewing a summer Ethics and Innovation miniseries on how AI should be shaped for societies, children and workforces, and a Season Five from September featuring names including Gordon Sanghera and Hermann Hauser.

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How should we measure success in the place trying to scale Britain's best science?

In this Oxford+ in Brief, Dr Ceri Morgan takes on the same four quick-fire questions every guest faces. She reflects on what success would mean after two decades spent at arm's length in investment banking, the advice she would give anyone entering the Oxford ecosystem, and what the city does brilliantly yet struggles with: it brings you face to face with astonishing, modest people, but connects them far too rarely.

Looking ahead to 2050, Ceri wants Oxford closer to the Boston benchmark, with more companies scaling outside the university and acquirers reinvesting locally rather than draining talent abroad. Her timing is apt: UK university spin-outs have nearly tripled in value to £49 billion since 2020, with activity now spreading beyond the golden triangle. From mentorship and the Lamb and Flag to a magic-wand investor database, this is a short, candid window into how a natural connector thinks.

Ceri Morgan: Dr Ceri Morgan is a Partner at Dalloway Partners, the advisory firm founded in 2025 by Vanessa Colomar and Helen James to help foundational science and first-time founders scale at speed. A medical doctor by training, she practised in cardiology and trauma medicine before moving into the City, where she spent more than two decades in healthcare and life sciences investment banking, building and leading top-ranked life science teams at firms including KBC Peel Hunt and Deutsche Bank and advising companies such as Oxford Nanopore and IP Group. Most recently she was Head of Late Stage Portfolio at Oxford Science Enterprises, and she is a Senior Advisor to LifeScience ORG. Based in Oxford, she also sits on a London hospital patient advisory group, drawing on her own experience as a cancer patient to push for stronger patient advocacy.

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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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How should we value a healthcare system that frustrates the very innovators trying to improve it?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Ceri Morgan, a doctor turned healthcare investment banker turned patient, about her three careers and what they reveal about UK life sciences. Ceri explains why, for years, companies pitching an NHS-first strategy were handed close to a zero valuation, and why the UK's thin life sciences public market has pushed founders towards private capital and trade sales.

Her move to Dalloway Partners marks a third act focused on the non-scientific side of scaling: mentoring founders, opening up investor networks and building Oxford's ecosystem. The timing matters. After UK biotech raised just £1.8 billion in 2025, early 2026 figures show venture funding rebounding, with £516 million raised in the first quarter. From recycling capital and talent to being your own patient advocate, this is a candid conversation about fixing the structures around brilliant British science.

Ceri Morgan: Dr Ceri Morgan is a Partner at Dalloway Partners, the advisory firm founded in 2025 by Vanessa Colomar and Helen James to help foundational science and first-time founders scale at speed. A medical doctor by training, she practised in cardiology and trauma medicine before moving into the City, where she spent more than two decades in healthcare and life sciences investment banking, building and leading top-ranked life science teams at firms including KBC Peel Hunt and Deutsche Bank and advising companies such as Oxford Nanopore and IP Group. Most recently she was Head of Late Stage Portfolio at Oxford Science Enterprises, and she is a Senior Advisor to LifeScience ORG. Based in Oxford, she also sits on a London hospital patient advisory group, drawing on her own experience as a cancer patient to push for stronger patient advocacy.

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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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does success really look like when we get hiring right?

In this Oxford+ in Brief, Susannah de Jager puts forward four questions to Riham Satti, co-founder and CEO of MeVitae. Riham describes success as a workplace where people feel they belong, feel empowered, and stay because their work feels like a career worth building. She offers candid advice for anyone entering the Oxford ecosystem, reflects on what the city does brilliantly and where it could connect its specialised pockets more effectively, and imagines what Oxford might look like by 2050. With a recent large-scale study finding that AI hiring tools can systematically reject qualified candidates (Stanford HAI, May 2026), her closing wish, a magic wand for fairness at work, could not feel more timely.

 
Riham Satti: Riham Satti is the co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, an award-winning people intelligence platform that combines neuroscience, behavioural economics, and responsible AI to help organisations make fairer, faster, and fully explainable workforce decisions. A neuroscientist by training, Riham studied medical engineering at Imperial College London before completing her research at Oxford, where she developed a deep fascination with how the brain makes decisions. Through the Oxford University Innovation incubator, she co-founded MeVitae with computer scientist Vivek Doraiswamy to tackle bias and inefficiency in hiring. MeVitae now works with global enterprise clients including Transport for London, HS2, and Taylor Wessing, delivering up to 90% time and cost savings while reducing employee turnover by 25%. The company has been honoured with the Norrsken Impact/100 Award, nominated by Microsoft, and was selected by the UK Information Commissioner's Office to co-develop the national AI Data Protection Audit. Riham is a TEDx and keynote speaker and sits on the TechUK Council, advising on the responsible use of AI in business.

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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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What if the key to fairer hiring lies not in better policies, but in understanding how our brains actually make decisions?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Riham Satti, co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, about her journey from studying neuroscience at Oxford to building an AI-driven platform that transforms workforce decision-making. They explore how cognitive biases shape recruitment, why ten seconds of CV screening can derail a hiring process, and how organisations can use data and responsible AI to make fairer, faster, and smarter people decisions.

With recent research showing that recruiters using biased AI tools mirror those inequitable choices up to 90% of the time, the conversation could not be more timely. Riham explains how MeVitae integrates neuroscience, anonymised recruiting, and transparent algorithms to help organisations identify hidden risks, improve candidate experience, and build genuinely inclusive workplaces. From bootstrapping with grant funding to working with global enterprise clients, her story is a blueprint for turning academic curiosity into commercial impact.

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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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would it take for Oxford to truly unlock its potential as a global innovation hub and what keeps getting in the way?

In this Oxford+ In Brief mini episode, host Susannah de Jager puts four quick-fire questions to Dr Holly Reeve, co-founder and CEO of HydRegen. Holly shares what success looks like if Hydregen reaches commercial scale manufacturing, why Oxford's chemistry department has become a breeding ground for spin-outs, and why she wishes the barriers between universities and startups were far lower than they are today.

With a new super cluster board forming across the Oxford–Cambridge arc and initiatives like Equinox and OX Tech Week working to connect the ecosystem, Holly argues the direction of travel is encouraging. But she is clear that the real bottleneck is not facilities or funding structures: it is the failure to invest strategically in the people behind the science. 

Dr Holly Reeve: Holly Reeve is the co-founder and CEO of HydRegen, an Oxford University spin-out developing bio-based catalysts to replace precious metals in chemical manufacturing. She holds a MChem and DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Oxford, where she worked on the HydRegen technologies from inception in Professor Kylie Vincent's research group. Holly has raised over £1.3 million in early-stage funding from Innovate UK and investors, secured a further £2.6 million led by Clean Growth Fund, and grown the company to 15 people. She is a Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Technology prize winner and a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub's Shott Scale Up Accelerator. In June 2025, HydRegen announced a strategic collaboration with James Robinson Speciality Ingredients to implement its Bio2Amine™ biocatalyst technology in commercial manufacturing.

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does it really take to turn a breakthrough in a university lab into a company that could transform how the world makes chemicals?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Holly Reeve, co-founder and CEO of HydRegen, an Oxford spin-out replacing precious metals in chemical manufacturing with bio-based enzyme catalysts. Holly shares her journey from a farm in rural England to leading a 15-person deep tech company now preparing for manufacturing and raising a Series A.

With the global biocatalysis market projected to more than double to USD 10.2 billion by 2033, Hydregen is positioned at the forefront of a sector gaining serious momentum. Holly discusses how she developed leadership skills during her PhD, why the shift from academic to commercial mindset is so difficult, and how she balances curiosity with execution. She also speaks candidly about the challenges of fundraising as a female founder in a sector where women-led deep tech startups still receive only 15% of seed funding.

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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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does success really look like for Oxford's innovation ecosystem, and how do you build something that lasts?

In this Oxford+ in Brief bonus episode, host Susannah de Jager puts the same four questions to Dr Christiaan de Koning and Michael Collyer, co-founders of Founders and Funders and the team behind the inaugural OX Tech Week. With UK startups raising $7.8 billion in Q1 2026 alone, the stakes for getting Oxford's commercialisation engine right have never been higher. Looking ahead to 2050, Christiaan and Michael imagine a less fragmented, more collaborative Oxford that is not just a research hub but a global commercial centre for science and innovation.

Dr Christiaan de Koning: Christiaan de Koning is an Associate Fellow at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, and Chair of the Founders and Funders Foundation. He teaches at Said Business School and is a strategic adviser to CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre. He holds a DPhil from Oxford in management research, where his work focused on the commercialisation of CRISPR biotechnology through new ventures. Through Founders and Funders, he has helped build a community of over 4,000 members connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors across the Oxford ecosystem.

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Michael Collyer: Michael Collyer is a researcher at the University of Oxford's Internet Institute and co-founder of the Founders and Funders Foundation. He co-established the university's AI network, running events in Oxford and London to connect researchers and entrepreneurs in the AI and machine learning space. His academic work spans information controls, natural language processing, machine learning, and the intersection of artificial intelligence with intellectual property law.

Connect with Michael Collyer 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would it take for Oxford to rival Silicon Valley or Boston as a global destination for deep tech?

In this episode of Oxford Plus, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Dr Christiaan de Koning and Michael Collyer, co-founders of the Founders and Funders community, to explore how Oxford is organising itself for a new chapter in innovation. What started as a small gathering during COVID has grown into a 4,000-strong network and a registered foundation connecting researchers, founders, investors, and institutions across the city.

Now, with UK startup funding reaching $7.8 billion in Q1 2026 alone – a 60% increase year on year, Oxford is well placed to capture a growing share of that momentum. Christiaan and Michael discuss why the city's problem is not a lack of capital or talent but a lack of connection, and how their upcoming OX Tech Week aims to change that by creating a visible, city-wide platform for the ecosystem.

From the Oxford Innovation Map to the vision of making Oxford the global home of deep tech, this is a conversation about what happens when a city that has always excelled at discovery starts to organise itself around building, scaling, and global relevance.

Founders and Funders – Oxford's community foundation for researchers, founders, and investors
Oxford Tech Week – Oxford's inaugural city-wide tech festival, 26–29 May 2026
Oxford Innovation Map (oxmap.tech) – Interactive map of Oxford-affiliated startups, investors, and innovation hubs

Connect with Christiaan on LinkedIn

Michael Collyer: Michael Collyer is a researcher at the University of Oxford's Internet Institute and co-founder of the Founders and Funders Foundation. He co-established the university's AI network, running events in Oxford and London to connect researchers and entrepreneurs in the AI and machine learning space. His academic work spans information controls, natural language processing, machine learning, and the intersection of artificial intelligence with intellectual property law.

Connect with Michael Collyer 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would it take for Oxford to become the place where the companies that define global healthcare are actually built?

In this Oxford+ in Brief, host Susannah de Jager puts four quick-fire questions to Benny Axt, Entrepreneur in Residence at Oxford Science Enterprises. Benny shares his vision of success for the ecosystem, his advice for newcomers, and a candid assessment of where Oxford excels and where it falls short. He argues that world-class science alone is not enough, speed of translation, commercial talent, growth capital and a cultural shift towards risk-taking are all essential if Oxford is to fulfil its potential.

With Deloitte's 2026 Global Health Care Outlook reporting that over 70 per cent of non-US health system executives expect margins to improve this year, and IQVIA highlighting structural shifts across the NHS that are reshaping the landscape for health tech companies, Benny's call for Oxford to optimise for execution over perfection feels especially timely. From express licensing of bundled IP to unlocking pension fund capital, this is a concise and direct take on what needs to change, and why the UK's first trillion-dollar company could emerge from deep science in Oxford.

Benny Axt: Benny Axt is Entrepreneur in Residence in the Health Tech team at Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), the largest university-affiliated investment company in the world and OSE's first EIR to join from the US. A seasoned healthcare strategist, operator and corporate development leader, Benny has spent over 15 years building healthcare businesses across six continents. Previously Vice President of Strategy at Dialogue Health Technologies Inc., he supported the company's US market entrance and helped grow it from a venture-backed startup through to IPO and acquisition. Before that, Benny held leadership roles at DaVita, a Fortune 500 healthcare provider, where his work included leading the privatisation of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia and building cultural infrastructure across more than a dozen countries. Benny holds an MBA and a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. In addition to his role in venture capital, he serves as a board advisor and healthcare consultant to leaders seeking guidance on strategy, operations and international expansion.

Connect with Benny 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How does world-class science fail to become a scalable business and what can founders do about it?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Benny Axt, Entrepreneur in Residence at Oxford Science Enterprises, about the complex relationship between healthcare technology and the systems it must operate within. They explore why healthcare's apparent inefficiency is often intentional constraint, how reimbursement models and regulatory pathways can make or break a company, and what UK health tech founders consistently underestimate about the US market.

Drawing on a recent BCG report highlighting a £20 billion annual opportunity if the UK strengthens its ability to translate research into real-world solutions, the conversation underscores why system fluency is not optional but essential. From the cultural transformation Benny led at DaVita across a dozen countries to the structural realities of NHS adoption and the perverse incentives within US oncology, this episode offers a candid and practical guide for founders, investors and anyone working at the intersection of innovation and healthcare delivery.

Benny Axt: Benny Axt is Entrepreneur in Residence in the Health Tech team at Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), the largest university-affiliated investment company in the world and OSE's first EIR to join from the US. A seasoned healthcare strategist, operator and corporate development leader, Benny has spent over 15 years building healthcare businesses across six continents. Previously Vice President of Strategy at Dialogue Health Technologies Inc., he supported the company's US market entrance and helped grow it from a venture-backed startup through to IPO and acquisition. Before that, Benny held leadership roles at DaVita, a Fortune 500 healthcare provider, where his work included leading the privatisation of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia and building cultural infrastructure across more than a dozen countries. Benny holds an MBA and a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. In addition to his role in venture capital, he serves as a board advisor and healthcare consultant to leaders seeking guidance on strategy, operations and international expansion.

Connect with Benny 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would success actually look like if Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem got the next phase right?

In this Oxford+ in Brief bonus episode, Susannah de Jager puts four rapid-fire questions to Olga Kozlova, one of the leaders behind Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford). Olga shares what she believes the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor could unlock for the UK economy and what it would mean in everyday terms for Oxfordshire as a place to live, from connectivity to housing and opportunity.

She also offers practical advice for anyone entering the ecosystem: expect to spend time building relationships, one coffee at a time. Finally, she reflects on Oxford’s strengths, from global brand power to extraordinary science, and why the next step depends on becoming more joined up.

Olga Kozlova: Olga Kozlova is Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford and a leader in innovation ecosystems, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. She previously established and led the Innovation and Industry Engagement directorate at the University of Strathclyde and founded Converge, Scotland’s national company creation and entrepreneurship development programme.

Connect with Olga 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How do you turn a brilliant but messy innovation ecosystem into something easier to navigate, stronger on the world stage, and fairer for local communities?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Olga Kozlova, one of the driving forces behind Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford), a new partnership convened by the University of Oxford to align universities, investors, corporates, developers and communities behind a shared ambition for Oxfordshire.

Olga explains why Equinox formed, why a united voice matters if Oxford wants to compete with global clusters, and how the initiative aims to make the ecosystem more accessible for founders, investors and companies looking to locate in the region. The conversation also explores why equitable growth cannot be an afterthought in a county with stark inequalities, and how skills, narratives and practical delivery can help more people feel the benefits of innovation.

Equinox launched in November 2025 with over 40 regional partners and a new NatWest Accelerator to support Oxfordshire start-ups.

Olga Kozlova: Olga Kozlova is Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford and a leader in innovation ecosystems, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. She previously established and led the Innovation and Industry Engagement directorate at the University of Strathclyde and founded Converge, Scotland’s national company creation and entrepreneurship development programme.

Connect with Olga 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would success for UK innovation actually look like in practice?

In this short Oxford+ in Brief bonus episode, host Susannah de Jager asks Lord William Hague four fast questions that cut straight to the future of Oxford, the Oxford ecosystem, and Britain’s ability to translate world-class ideas into lasting prosperity. Hague argues that the UK should aim to make the Oxford–Cambridge–London triangle the place in the world to build a career, invest, and create globally significant companies.

The Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor has become a central plank of the UK’s growth agenda, with the Chancellor previously pointing to an ambition to add £78bn to the economy by 2035, as reported by BBC News. Against that backdrop, Hague’s answers highlight two recurring themes: Oxford’s extraordinary breadth across disciplines, and the structural challenge of moving quickly inside a decentralised institution.

Lord William Hague: Lord William Hague of Richmond is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a former Leader of the Conservative Party. He studied PPE at Magdalen College, Oxford, later completing an MBA at INSEAD, and served as MP for Richmond for 26 years, including as Leader of the Conservative Party (1997–2001) and as Foreign Secretary (2010–2014). As Minister for Disabled People, he was responsible for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and he co-founded the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford in November 2024 and took up his duties in February 2025.

Connect with Lord William Hague 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How does the UK turn world-class ideas into world-class companies, without selling the best outcomes abroad?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Lord William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former UK Foreign Secretary, about the UK’s scale-up gap and what it will take to build an innovation economy that keeps more value at home. They discuss why universities sit at the centre of growth, how pension capital and other long-term investors can help close the funding gap, and why procurement and slow decision-making can quietly kill promising companies before they reach commercial scale.

The conversation lands in the reality of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, which government has positioned as a long-term national growth project. Recent reporting on the corridor highlights the scale of the ambition and the industries driving it, alongside the claim it could add £78bn to the economy by 2035. From foreign takeovers of UK spinouts to the need for faster infrastructure delivery, this episode offers a clear, systems-level view of what Oxford’s ecosystem reveals about the UK’s economic future.

Lord William Hague: Lord William Hague of Richmond is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a former Leader of the Conservative Party. He studied PPE at Magdalen College, Oxford, later completing an MBA at INSEAD, and served as MP for Richmond for 26 years, including as Leader of the Conservative Party (1997–2001) and as Foreign Secretary (2010–2014). As Minister for Disabled People, he was responsible for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and he co-founded the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford in November 2024 and took up his duties in February 2025.

Connect with Lord William Hague 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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would success look like if Oxfordshire got climate innovation truly right, not just in ideas, but in deployment at scale? 

In this Oxford+ bonus episode, Susannah de Jager speaks with Hannah Scott, CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, about the practical barriers that stop climate tech startups moving from promise to global impact.

Hannah unpacks why scaling hardware and deep tech takes longer, costs more, and often hits the Valley of Death between Series A and Series B, where funding needs can jump dramatically. She argues the UK needs more patient capital, including family offices, and reflects on whether pension reform will genuinely shift investment towards British IP and industrial capability. That question has new urgency, with the government saying the Mansion House Accord could unlock up to £50bn for UK businesses and major infrastructure.

The conversation also looks forward: what Oxford might become by 2050, and how to weigh heritage, housing, equity, and innovation. Finally, Hannah frames AI as both opportunity and risk for net zero, and asks what it means to move forward more sensibly.

Hannah Scott: Hannah Scott is the CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, a not-for-profit business network building a world-leading climate tech innovation ecosystem in Oxfordshire with impact beyond. She leads the organisation in managing and engaging members, connecting them with funding, customers, and business expertise whilst facilitating scale-up innovation through events, programmes and projects. Hannah is also Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, which showcases, develops and scales climate-critical technologies across the UK and Europe. She sits on the Oxford Economic Growth Steering Board and was named to edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. Having helped launch Oxfordshire Greentech in 2019 whilst working for sustainability consultancy Bioregional, Hannah has now stepped into full-time leadership of the network and continues to deliver successful events, commercial opportunities and projects with climate and social impact.

Connect with Hannah Scott on LinkedIn or visit Oxfordshire Greentech

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How do you turn a county into a world-leading climate tech ecosystem, and why does collaboration matter more than competition when tackling the climate crisis?

In this episode of Oxford Plus, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Hannah Scott, CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech and Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, about building networks that connect climate innovators with the funding, expertise and corporate partnerships they need to scale. They explore how Oxfordshire has quietly become one of the UK's most important regions for climate innovation, with emerging specialisms in energy tech at Harwell, fusion at Culham and sustainable chemistry at Begbroke.

With the UK climate tech sector now valued at $75.3 billion but investment falling 67% since 2023, Hannah explains how business networks like Oxfordshire Greentech help startups leapfrog challenges, access visibility and navigate the valley of death. From the recent launch of a green ammonia demonstrator at Harwell to the formation of a cross-European climate tech supercluster spanning Amsterdam, London and Paris, this conversation reveals how local action can drive global climate impact.

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for support, an investor seeking deal flow, or a corporate wanting to engage with cutting-edge climate solutions, this episode offers a practical roadmap for plugging into one of the UK's most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Hannah Scott: Hannah Scott is the CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, a not-for-profit business network building a world-leading climate tech innovation ecosystem in Oxfordshire with impact beyond. She leads the organisation in managing and engaging members, connecting them with funding, customers, and business expertise whilst facilitating scale-up innovation through events, programmes and projects. Hannah is also Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, which showcases, develops and scales climate-critical technologies across the UK and Europe. She sits on the Oxford Economic Growth Steering Board and was named to edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. Having helped launch Oxfordshire Greentech in 2019 whilst working for sustainability consultancy Bioregional, Hannah has now stepped into full-time leadership of the network and continues to deliver successful events, commercial opportunities and projects with climate and social impact.

Connect with Hannah Scott on LinkedIn or visit Oxfordshire Greentech

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would defence reform look like if we stopped overcomplicating it?

In this Oxford+ in brief episode, host Susannah de Jager asks Alison Hawks questions that reveal how leaders think under pressure, what shapes their decisions, and what they are curious about right now. Alison argues that defence needs to get out of its own way: procurement should be a clearer transaction where the military owns the problem, industry owns the solution, and requirements reflect that division of expertise. She shares practical advice for anyone entering the sector tomorrow, using the simple test of desirability, feasibility, and viability to avoid building solutions nobody will fund or use.

Looking ahead to 2050, Alison predicts a different defence marketplace where today’s primes may not dominate in the same way, even as scale still depends on major supply chains.

Dr Alison Hawks: Dr Alison Hawks is co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, the UK arm of BMNT, where she advises governments and technology companies on accelerating adoption of commercial innovation in defence and national security. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Common Mission Project UK, a charity delivering mission-driven entrepreneurial education programmes in the UK. She was named Woman of the Year for Innovation and Creativity at the Women in Defence Awards (2022).

Connect with Alison Hawks on LinkedIn / Visit BMNT Ltd

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How do you sell to a customer where the decision-maker is actually five different people, and half of them might move roles before the contract lands?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Alison Hawks, co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, about why defence innovation is becoming a structural opportunity, and why procurement literacy is often more important than the technology itself. They unpack the realities of B2G: long buying cycles, complex stakeholder incentives, and the traps that stall companies after a promising pilot.

The conversation lands at a timely moment. The UK’s Strategic Defence Review commits to an ‘always on’ munitions pipeline, including building at least six new energetics and munitions factories, signalling how seriously government is now treating sovereign capability and industrial resilience. From Commercial X and changing acquisition culture to data sovereignty, Oxford’s role in defence innovation, and what investors should look for in founders, this episode offers a practical map for navigating a market that rewards patience, clarity, and credible pathways to adoption.

Dr Alison Hawks: Dr Alison Hawks is co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, the UK arm of BMNT, where she advises governments and technology companies on accelerating adoption of commercial innovation in defence and national security. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Common Mission Project UK, a charity delivering mission-driven entrepreneurial education programmes in the UK. She was named Woman of the Year for Innovation and Creativity at the Women in Defence Awards (2022)

Connect with Alison Hawks on LinkedIn / Visit BMNT Ltd

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does success look like when world-leading research meets commercial sustainability?

In this bonus episode of Oxford Plus, Susannah de Jager sits down with Lisa Flashner to explore the evolving landscape of one of the world’s most famous academic cities. Lisa shares her transition from the West Coast to Oxford, highlighting the unique intellectual diversity and the "incredibly talented women" who drive the ecosystem forward. The conversation dives deep into the structural challenges of navigating the ecosystem and the ambitious vision for Oxford in 2050. From the development of new innovation hubs like Oxford North to the integration of robotics and AI in future-proofed buildings, Lisa provides an optimistic roadmap for how technology can improve the human condition.

Lisa Flashner: Lisa Flashner is the Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Institute of Technology, where she leads strategic planning, operations, real estate, construction, and expansion efforts for the Oxford campus. Before relocating to Oxford, Lisa spent 15 years as the Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Medical Institute in Los Angeles, where she led complex operations, large-scale programme execution, and strategic partnerships across science and health. She continues to support the Ellison Medical Institute as a senior adviser and serves as a board member of the Ellison Institute Research Foundation. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois, a magna cum laude law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her role at EIT places her at the centre of one of the most significant private investments in UK science and technology, overseeing the development of a campus that will ultimately accommodate up to 7,000 employees and house cutting-edge research in medical sciences, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and AI and robotics.

Connect with Lisa Flashner on LinkedIn / Ellison Institute of Technology

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How does one of the most significant private investments in UK science and technology history take shape on the ground in Oxford?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Lisa Flashner, Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Institute of Technology, about Larry Ellison's ambitious vision to establish a transformative research campus in Oxford. They explore why Ellison chose Oxford as the home for EIT's first major European campus, the Institute's four main pillars of work: medical sciences, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and AI and robotics, and the physical plans for a campus that will eventually house up to 7,000 people.

Lisa brings a unique perspective, having spent 15 years as COO of the Ellison Medical Institute in Los Angeles before relocating to Oxford. She discusses the cultural differences between US and UK innovation ecosystems, the Institute's "all boats rise" philosophy of collaboration with the University of Oxford and the broader ecosystem, and addresses early suspicions about whether EIT would drain talent from the university. Announced in October 2025, the Ellison Institute confirmed plans to spend more than £10 billion on talent and science programmes over the next decade. A major vote of confidence as the UK seeks to strengthen its position in global science and technology. From the Cowley Branch Line to the restoration of the Eagle and Child pub, this conversation offers a comprehensive look at how ambitious private investment can accelerate Oxford's transition from world-class discovery science to real-world impact.

Lisa Flashner: Lisa Flashner is the Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Institute of Technology, where she leads strategic planning, operations, real estate, construction, and expansion efforts for the Oxford campus. Before relocating to Oxford, Lisa spent 15 years as the Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Medical Institute in Los Angeles, where she led complex operations, large-scale programme execution, and strategic partnerships across science and health. She continues to support the Ellison Medical Institute as a senior adviser and serves as a board member of the Ellison Institute Research Foundation. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois, a magna cum laude law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her role at EIT places her at the centre of one of the most significant private investments in UK science and technology, overseeing the development of a campus that will ultimately accommodate up to 7,000 employees and house cutting-edge research in medical sciences, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and AI and robotics.

Connect with Lisa Flashner on LinkedIn / Ellison Institute of Technology

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Oxford has always been a place where ideas can shape the world. But right now the stakes have never been higher.

In season four of Oxford Plus we're asking what UK innovation really means in an age of global uncertainty, rapid technological change, and a growing need for national capability and sovereignty. This season features voices shaping that future, including Lord William Hague and Lisa Flashner alongside Founders, Researchers, and Policy makers working at the sharp edge of Science, Health, Defence and AI. From breakthrough research to industrial scale up, from global collaboration to domestic resilience, Oxford Plus explores how the UK can turn ideas into impact and ambition into advantage.

Season four of Oxford Plus. New conversations. Bigger questions. Real world outcomes.

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 and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Why do the critical conversations about founding and funding a business often happen behind closed doors, making the ecosystem feel impenetrable?

In this special episode, Oxford+ host Susannah de Jager reveals the origin story and core premise of the podcast. Drawing on her extensive background as a former COO and CEO of a European equities hedge fund, and her later work in pension capital reform, Susannah shares what inspired her to move from listed asset management to focusing on nascent companies. She discusses how being exposed to companies in their critical growth phase—when they need long-term capital from investors like pension plans—revealed a passionate purpose: to make a meaningful impact by connecting capital with brilliant academics.

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 we solve the UK’s persistent scale-up capital conundrum and move from academic theory to commercial reality? 

Host Susannah de Jager speaks with Pete Davies, Partner and Head of Developed Markets Strategy at Lansdowne Partners and co-founder of Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE). Pete shares his unique, contrarian perspective, spanning decades of experience in asset management and pioneering UK venture.

This episode delves into the linear evolution of deep tech commercialisation, from IP Group to the creation of OSE. Pete discusses the critical need to shift company formation from an "academic X has an IP" push to an industry problem-driven pull, noting that this process is now at a "sort of halfway stage". 

The conversation also covers the importance of "magic" assets like the Oxford community, the exciting progress in areas like quantum computing, and how to fix the £100 million 'missing middle' of scale-up funding. With the UK seeing a 36% year-on-year rise in new tech incorporations, Pete explains why closing this capital gap is crucial for transforming the nation's medium-term economic growth prospects.

Pete Davies: Pete Davies is Partner and Head of Developed Markets Strategy at Lansdowne Partners. A rare investor known for his consistent yet evolving approach, he has helped refocus the firm to long-only and venture capital strategies, including the launch of a new UK Growth Fund focused on scale-up opportunities. Pete is a pioneer in UK venture, co-founding Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), and is a leading voice in conversations demanding scale-up capital for the UK. He is also a former governor of the Wellcome Trust.

Connect with Pete 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 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader for a large, scaling company? 

In part two of our special series, Professor Robin Dunbar returns to explore the essential social skills needed to manage a growing organisation. Robin and host Susannah de Jager explore the psychological boundaries of group size, from the point where a CEO no longer recognises every employee to the limit of knowing 5,000 faces you've seen before. They discuss the challenges for founders who are emotionally attached to their "baby" and how this can impede necessary growth transitions.

The conversation highlights the often-overlooked importance of soft skills in the hiring process, particularly for senior roles. Professor Dunbar challenges the traditional reliance on CVs and short interviews, advocating for a trial period to truly assess if a candidate will fit into the social fabric of the company. 

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.

Have you ever wondered why your company's culture shifts dramatically as it grows?

In part one of a special three-part series, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Professor Robin Dunbar, creator of the renowned "Dunbar's Number," to explore the evolutionary and anthropological realities that impact organisations as they scale. They delve into how social constraints on our brains affect group sizes and dynamics, offering a new perspective on why committees and teams function differently at various scales.

Drawing on insights from fields as diverse as human evolution and business, Professor Dunbar provides a toolkit for founders and investors to identify critical tipping points in a company’s development. They discuss optimal group sizes for different tasks, from small, fast-acting committees to larger, more diverse brainstorming sessions.

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.

What compels a scientist to leave academia for the high-stakes world of finance and then become the CEO of a publicly-traded biotech company?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Zandy Forbes, the CEO and co-founder of MeiraGTx. Zandy shares her fascinating career journey, explaining how her experience as a hedge fund analyst shaped her unique approach to building a resilient, multi-asset genetic medicine company.

They discuss MeiraGTx's pioneering work, from developing a mind-blowing technology that turns the body into a drug manufacturing facility to their successful clinical trials that are changing the lives of patients with inherited blindness, Parkinson’s, and other diseases. 

Zandy Forbes: The CEO and co-founder of MeiraGTx, a NASDAQ-listed clinical-stage genetic medicine company. She holds a double first in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Oxford. Before co-founding MeiraGTx in 2015, she spent over a decade as an analyst and portfolio manager at a healthcare-focused hedge fund.

Connect with Zandy 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.

Ever wondered how to integrate meaningful philanthropy into your entrepreneurial journey? 

In this insightful episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Rob Chapman and Isobel Morton, Trustees of Founders Pledge, to explore innovative strategies for startup founders to effectively give back. Founders Pledge provides a structured, community-driven approach for entrepreneurs committed to donating a portion of their proceeds from liquidity events to charitable causes. 

Rob and Isobel share personal experiences and practical advice on utilising donor-advised funds, leveraging detailed impact research, and maximising the social impact of giving. With over $11 billion pledged globally, they discuss how entrepreneurs can make strategic, informed decisions to ensure their donations drive significant change. 

Whether you're at the early stages of your startup or approaching an exit, this conversation offers invaluable guidance on aligning business success with purposeful philanthropy.

Rob Chapman: Co-founder of Neya and experienced entrepreneur, Rob previously founded and exited Founders Intelligence. He is deeply engaged with Founders Pledge as a Trustee, committed to strategic philanthropy and social impact.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn

Isobel Morton: A former private client lawyer, Isobel specialises in supporting entrepreneurs, family offices, and charitable foundations. As a Trustee at Founders Pledge, she focuses on simplifying charitable giving for founders and investors.

Connect with Isobel 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 does a 40-year-old charity continue to shape the future of science and innovation in Oxford?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Steve Burgess, CEO, and Nicki Campling, Director of Innovation and Operations at the Oxford Trust, to explore the organisation's unique role in nurturing startups and inspiring future scientists. From pioneering the UK's first innovation centre to investing over £20 million in state-of-the-art facilities, the Trust has quietly built an ecosystem where early-stage companies can thrive.

Listeners will discover how the Trust's dual mission—supporting deep tech startups and delivering hands-on STEM education—creates a virtuous circle that benefits the entire region. The conversation touches on everything from lab space pivots and impact metrics to angel investing, patient capital, and how philanthropic roots enable long-term decision-making. It's a rare look at a sustainable, mission-led model that continues to adapt in a rapidly evolving innovation landscape.

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

Nicki Campling: Director of Innovation and Operations at the Oxford Trust, Nicki oversees the Trust's innovation centres and STEM outreach, blending operational excellence with a passion for inclusive entrepreneurship.

Connect with Nicki 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.

Is there a better way to manage obesity than GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic? 

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Camilla Easter, CEO of Oxford Medical Products, about Sirona—a pioneering, non-pharmaceutical pill that mimics the effects of bariatric surgery without the side effects. Designed to expand in the stomach and promote satiety, Sirona could become the go-to solution for long-term weight loss and maintenance. 

Camilla shares the company’s unconventional startup journey, why they avoided the university spinout route, and how the product is positioned to address global obesity, especially among people who can’t access or tolerate drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy. From the challenges of raising capital in a volatile market to clinical trials and FDA approvals, this episode delivers a rich, inspiring look into medtech innovation with wide-reaching health implications.

Camilla Easter: CEO of Oxford Medical Products, Camilla leads the development of Sirona, a pioneering hydrogel-based pill for weight loss and maintenance. With a background in veterinary medicine and startup leadership, she brings scientific insight and entrepreneurial drive to solving complex health problems.

Connect with Camilla 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 does it take to scale a successful venture capital firm while staying aligned with founders?

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with David Mott, Founder Partner at Oxford Capital, about his 25-year journey backing over 100 UK tech startups.

David shares insights on what makes early-stage companies succeed, why founder-led teams outperform, and how Oxford Capital bridges the gap between private wealth and innovation. From pioneering EIS funds to influencing UK venture policy, David outlines the key elements that drive value creation in startups—including team structure, sector focus, and investment timing. He also explains how the UK can move towards a more integrated "supercluster" approach and why simplicity and alignment are essential in venture capital deals.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, this conversation offers a masterclass in startup funding and strategy.

Action Points:

Back Founders, Not Just Technology: David emphasises the importance of founder-led teams, showing that startups with original founders in leadership roles significantly outperform. Look for founders with deep conviction and ownership over the business idea to increase the chances of success.

Keep Capital Structures Simple: Complex term sheets may impress on paper but often break down during tough times. Prioritise plain-vanilla deal terms that maintain alignment between founders and investors, which leads to better long-term outcomes.

Invest in Sectors with Shorter Timelines: Oxford Capital favours sectors like SaaS, AI, and FinTech where companies can scale quickly. Focus on businesses that don’t require years of development before reaching the market.

Facilitate Strategic Co-Investments: Effective syndicates with complementary investors bring more than just money. Build a network of co-investors who can contribute sector expertise, global reach, or future funding capacity.

Use Early Data and Engagement Signals: In the absence of financial metrics, look at user engagement and team dynamics. Early product testing and strong team rapport can indicate future traction and success.

David Mott:Founder Partner at Oxford Capital, David has spent 25 years investing in UK startups across sectors including AI, SaaS, FinTech, and digital health. A seasoned voice in venture capital policy, he has advised both UK and EU bodies and champions the role of private wealth in fuelling innovation.

Connect with David 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.

Can a university-powered ecosystem become the UK’s next startup superpower? 

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Jack Edmondson, Chief Investment Officer at Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), to explore the art and challenge of turning world-class research into global impact. With over 20 years in investment and deep ties to the Oxford ecosystem, Jack shares his vision for scaling science-driven startups, the role of co-investors, and how to nurture talent while maintaining commercial rigour. 

He offers an inside look at OSE’s approach to risk, return, and capital allocation across Life Sciences, Health Tech, and Deep Tech. From robotics and semiconductors to pet health and Alzheimer's care, the conversation spans emerging trends and bold bets. Jack also unpacks why reputation matters in a tightly-knit ecosystem, and why the UK needs high-profile success stories more than policy tweaks. 

Jack Edmondson:Chief Investment Officer at Oxford Science Enterprises. Former Deputy CIO at Oxford University Endowment Management. Specialist in science-driven venture capital with expertise across institutional investment, private equity, and strategic ecosystem building.

Connect with Jack 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.

Oxford+ is back for Season Three. This season will continue the conversation with investors, entrepreneurs and innovators, but will also focus on those new entrants to the ecosystem who are going to be changing the landscape in the coming months and years.

Oxford+ takes you deep into the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape. Join your host, Susannah de Jager, as she interviews investors, influencers, and entrepreneurs who operate within and have an impact on the Oxford ecosystem.

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How can cutting-edge nanoscience transform medicine and inspire groundbreaking startups within Oxford?

In this episode, Susannah de Jager sits down with Professor Dame Molly Stevens, John Black Professor of Bionanoscience at the University of Oxford. Together, they explore Molly’s extraordinary journey in interdisciplinary research, the process of spinning out successful companies from academia, and the unique opportunities Oxford offers for scientific innovation. Molly also shares insights on fostering diverse teams, driving impactful research, and the future of quantum sensing in biomedical applications.

About the Guest:
Molly Stevens is the John Black Professor of Bionanoscience at the University of Oxford, with part-time positions at Imperial College London and the Karolinska Institute. As a world-leading expert in biomaterial interfaces, her multidisciplinary research spans regenerative medicine, advanced therapeutics, and diagnostics.

She is a serial entrepreneur, founding successful companies such as Spot by Discovery and she serves as Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery. Recognised internationally, Molly is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and numerous other prestigious academies.

Connect with Molly on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by Lionel Tarassenko, CBE, one of the world's leading experts in AI, machine learning, and biomedical engineering. Lionel shares his fascinating journey from the lab to real-world applications, his pioneering work with NHS data, and his views on how the UK can leverage its unique strengths in healthcare innovation. He also explores the role of Oxford, emerging technologies, and the transformative potential of large multimodal models in medicine.

About the Guest:
Lord Lionel Tarassenko, CBE, is a leading figure in biomedical engineering, AI, and machine learning. A graduate and professor at the University of Oxford, he has spearheaded groundbreaking applications of AI in healthcare, from monitoring patient deterioration to managing chronic disease.

He has founded four successful university spin-out companies, directed the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, and is currently the President of Reuben College, Oxford's newest college. Lionel has also played a key role in national AI policy, advocating for the use of NHS data as a sovereign asset to drive medical breakthroughs.

Connect with Lionel Tarassenko

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How does a world-leading university turn groundbreaking research into businesses that change the world?

In this episode, Susannah de Jager speaks with Mairi Gibbs, CEO of Oxford University Innovation (OUI), about how Oxford transforms cutting-edge science into real-world solutions. Mairi shares her experience leading OUI, the importance of innovation within universities, and the challenges and opportunities in bridging academia and business.

About the Guest:

Mairi Gibbs is the CEO of Oxford University Innovation (OUI), Mairi has over 20 years of experience in technology transfer and innovation. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and previously worked in the chemicals industry before transitioning to technology transfer in 2002. Mairi is an expert in spin-out formation, licensing, and managing intellectual property, with a strong focus on maximising the societal impact of Oxford’s research.

Connect with Mairi on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by Adam Parr, a barrister, entrepreneur, and former Chairman and CEO of the Williams Formula One team.

Adam shares insights from his storied career, spanning motorsport, venture capital, and climate innovation. From his tenure at Williams F1 to co-founding impactful ventures like Downforce Trust, Adam brings a global perspective to leadership, innovation, and the interplay between academia and business.

As a DPhil candidate and Business Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Smith School, Adam is dedicated to advancing innovation in climate change through ventures like the Downforce Trust. He is also the author of The Art of War: Five Years in Formula One and Total Competition: Lessons in Strategy from Formula One, co-authored with Ross Brawn.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by George Robinson, founding partner of Oxford Investment Consultants (OIC). Established in 2015, OIC has directed substantial investments into early-stage technology and biotech companies originating from Oxford and other UK universities, particularly focusing on high-potential, innovative spinouts.

The conversation explores Robinson's journey from investing in listed equities in Asia to championing early-stage technology ventures in the UK. Throughout the episode, George shares insights into the challenges of university spinouts, discussing the complexities of evaluating new technologies, the strategic importance of assembling a well-rounded team, and the essential qualities he seeks in leadership.

An active investor with a keen focus on Oxford’s innovation landscape, Robinson was an early backer and former board member of companies like Adaptive Immune Therapeutics and Immunocore. He is also a founding partner of Technicos, a private equity firm investing in spinouts from Oxford's Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

With a distinguished career that began in listed equities, Robinson co-founded Sloan Robinson in 1993, focusing on global investments with a speciality in Asia and emerging markets. An Honorary Fellow of Keble College, Oxford, he holds a B.A. in Engineering Science and has served on Oxford University’s Endowment Investment Committee.

Connect with George on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by Sue Douglas, Co-Founder of Veer, a pioneering journalist and media consultant turned tech entrepreneur.

Through their conversation, Sue brings a fresh perspective to the Oxford innovation landscape, drawing from her experience in journalism and her new venture, Veer—a machine learning start-up which focuses on transforming the recruitment process by shifting the emphasis from traditional experience to an individual's skills, ambitions, and potential.

Sue shares the inspiration behind Veer, her journey back into academia, and the role AI can play in uncovering career paths that align more authentically with an individual’s interests and capabilities. She reflects on her unconventional career path, her experience navigating Oxford’s start-up ecosystem, and her vision for a more inclusive, skill-based approach to work.

Following a severe horse-riding accident, Sue continued her consultancy work and, in 2022, co-founded Veer, a machine learning start-up with Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt. Veer focuses on reshaping recruitment by prioritising skills over experience, helping individuals uncover career paths aligned with their unique talents and ambitions.

Connect with Sue on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, Susannah de Jager welcomes Lily Elsner, CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility. The conversation explores Lily’s journey from the US, to becoming a startup founder in Oxford. Lily shares her experiences across various roles in Oxford, highlighting how the support ecosystem within Oxford helped to shape her entrepreneurial path. The conversation also focuses on Jack Fertility, how the service aims to address male infertility, the hurdles faced by female founders, the potential for more integrated ecosystems in Oxford and the importance of gender inclusivity in business leadership

Connect with Lily on Linkedin

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Marcus Stuttard, Head of AIM and UK Primary Markets at the London Stock Exchange. The conversation centres around the evolving regulatory landscape for small and medium-sized businesses seeking public listings, focusing on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for growth companies. Stuttard also shares insights on liquidity in UK markets, the significance of the Mansion House Compact, and the potential of regulatory changes, such as MIFID II adjustments, to improve market access and investment opportunities for smaller companies.

(1:16) Understanding AIM and Market Reforms
(5:04) The UK Funding Continuum and Pisces
(16:15) Liquidity and Market Comparisons
(24:23) The Role of Pension Funds in UK Markets
(34:33) MIFID II and Equity Research Landscape

About the guest:
Marcus Stuttard is the head of AIM, the London Stock Exchange's market for small and medium-sized businesses. Marcus has a particular focus on boosting access to finance for ambitious growth companies and sits on a number of industry and policy advisory bodies, including the Scale Up Institute's Access to Finance and Growth Capital Committee and the Institute of Directors, Centre for Corporate Governance Advisory Board. He has played a leading role in key capital market developments, including the most recent revision of the listing rules.

Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by the Managing Director of Advanced Oxford, Sarah Haywood, to explore talent retention and the challenges faced by businesses in attracting global talent due. Sarah also conveys the need for investment, the role of local and international investors, and potential policy changes to support economic growth through science and innovation.

(1:34) Understanding Advanced Oxford
(7:18) Challenges and Opportunities in Oxfordshire
(16:54) Talent Retention and Education
(23:57) Resources to Aid Engagement
(37:31) Looking to the Future

About the guest:
Sarah Haywood is the Managing Director of Advanced Oxford, a membership organisation that aims to promote Oxfordshire and its innovation businesses, and create one coherent voice for the region at a policy level supported by grassroots research.  Previously Sarah was CEO, then a NED of MedCity, a life sciences cluster organisation for London and the southeast of England. She started her career in the NHS, has worked in the pharma industry and as a senior civil servant on a number of policy teams within the Department for Business. She's also a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford's newest college, Rueben College.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by John Derrick, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, to discuss the intricacies of European and U.S. capital markets, the importance of regulation, and the challenges faced by small and illiquid companies.

The conversation also delves into the cultural differences in entrepreneurial aspirations between Europe and the U.S., highlighting the importance of failure in the U.S. as a part of the entrepreneurial journey as well as the UK's need for policy-led development to support infrastructure and energy security, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts between private and government sectors.

(2:03) The Lifecycle of Companies
(9:18) Growth within the Oxford Ecosystem
(13:57) Trends in Capital and Market Listings
(23:18) The Role of Regulation and Recent Acquisitions

About the guest:
John Derrick is a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank focused on covering Entrepreneurs, Families and Foundations in the UK. His team has focused in recent years on growing the firm’s footprint and connectivity in the university spin-out ecosystem, alongside his colleagues in the Innovation Economy and Global Shares team at J.P. Morgan. 

Before joining J.P. Morgan Private Bank, John had a fascinating career spanning from heading the Fine Wine department at the UK’s leading wine merchant to executing some of the earliest tech transactions in the early 2000s at large investment houses.   

In his personal life, John is a trustee of Pimlico Opera which takes music into prisons and schools and was the Chair of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for the last six years. John graduated in History and French from Wadham College, Oxford and joined the board of Oxford University Alumni in 2023. He lives in Oxfordshire with his husband and two children.

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About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Oxford+ is back for Season Two. This season will continue the conversation with investors, entrepreneurs and innovators, but will also focus on those new entrants to the ecosystem who are going to be changing the landscape in the coming months and years.

Oxford+ takes you deep into the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape. Join your host, Susannah de Jager, as she interviews investors, influencers, and entrepreneurs who operate within and have an impact on the Oxford ecosystem.

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Anna Strongman, CEO of Oxford University Development (OUD), to delve into the importance of creating a diverse business base in the city and fostering an environment that attracts a broad range of talents.

(4:18) Navigating Oxford's Planning and Development Landscape
(6:54) Comparing Oxford and Cambridge
(17:38) Oxford University's Development Sites
(31:21) Anna's Wishlist for Oxford's Development

About the guest:
Anna Strongman is the CEO of Oxford University Development (OUD), a joint venture between Oxford University and Legal & General, set up to build innovation districts and subsidised accommodation for graduate students and the university workforce.

Anna was previously the managing partner of Argent, where she spent 12 years working on a range of asset development and business planning projects. Highlights from her career include leading the asset management of King's Cross, in particular, Coal Drop Yards and setting up a buy-to-rent portfolio with JV Partners Related. Before working at Argent, Anna worked in the planning and economic development team of Arup and for DTZ in Scotland.

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and co-author of the University Spin Out Review, to delve into the myths and truths uncovered through the review.

Through the conversation, they discuss the role of universities in fostering innovation, the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in the sector, and the importance of private investment in university projects.

(0:12) Introduction
(1:11) The University Spin Out Review
(8:52) Can every university town can have its own cluster?
(22:27) The future for Oxford
(33:28) Addressing the entrepreneurship gender gap
(39:20) Exploring university funding

About the guest:
Irene Tracey is a distinguished academic and current Vice Chancellor of Oxford University. Her association with Oxford dates back to her undergraduate studies in biochemistry.

After graduating from Oxford, she specialised in Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Harvard Medical School before returning to Oxford in 1997 as a founding member of the Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain, where she served as director from 2005 to 2015.

Irene has occupied numerous senior leadership roles within the University and has contributed to numerous national and international committees in her field of research. Notably, she co-authored the University Spin Out Review with Andrew Williamson from Cambridge Innovation Capital, contributing significantly to discussions around the investment ecosystem in and around Oxford.

Find out more about Irene's work with the University of Oxford here.

Read the University Spin Out Review here.

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Ed Bussey, CEO of Oxford Sciences Enterprise (OSE), to discuss the future of the scientific ecosystem of Oxford, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and how to navigate it effectively.

Ed shares his insights and experiences as a venture capitalist, addressing myths and misconceptions about the Oxford ecosystem, the importance of transparency, and the role of government and investment capital in science and technology initiatives.

(0:12) Introduction
(3:10) Venture Building and Entrepreneurial Empathy
(9:06) OSE's Role
(28:20) The Impact of the Ellison Institute for Technology
(35:28) The Path Forward

About the guest:
Ed Bussey is the CEO of OSE, Oxford Science Enterprises, which was originally Oxford Science Innovation, the largest university venture fund globally.

He studied natural sciences at Cambridge University before starting his career serving in counter-terrorism operations with the UK military and national security agencies.

Ed is a serial entrepreneur and leading UK technology expert having launched, scaled and successfully exited three venture-backed disruptive technology businesses.

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Dave Norwood, founder of IP Group PLC and Oxford Science Innovation as they discuss his experiences and insights into the potential of Oxford as a hub for innovation, particularly in AI and quantum computing.

The conversation also delves into the unique ecosystem of Oxford and the challenges and successes faced by entrepreneurs and innovators in the city, as well as the need for ambition, dreaming big, and collaboration within the Oxford community.

(0:12) Introduction
(1:15) How snake bites led to investment insights
(11:15) Foreign investment
(14:57) Government support and domestic capital
(27:30) Cross-pollination and the Ellison Institute for Technology
(36:18) Breaking away from myths

About the guest:
Dave Norwood is the founder of IP Group PLC and Oxford Science Innovation, now Oxford Science Enterprises, the largest university venture fund globally, which has brought in over 1.5 billion of investment into Oxford since its inception in 2015. 

He has also founded and been a director of numerous UK technology companies including Oxford Nanopore, Proxy Imogen, Synergen, 4D Pharma, Index IT, Evolution Group and Aura Capital. 

Dave is also a grandmaster in chess and has represented both England and Andorra internationally. Without Dave, much of the investment landscape of Oxford would not look how it does today

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Rowan Gardner, co-founder of Precision Life. The topic of discussion delves into the importance of diversifying the investment ecosystem and encouraging more participation from female investors. They also discuss the future of healthcare and the pivotal role AI plays in it, including how AI is reshaping our approach to healthcare, particularly concerning chronic diseases and how we diagnose and treat them.

(0:12) Introduction
(1:10) From Oxford Molecular to Precision Life
(4:03) The Oxford and Cambridge investing landscapes
(15:56) The importance of heterogenous funding sources
(19:49) Fostering diversity and inclusion in investment
(28:18) The Mansion House Accord

About the guest:
Rowan Gardner is a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO with over 30 years of experience in health tech, digital health, deep tech, and biotech. She played a part in one of Oxford University's first spin-outs, Oxford Molecular Group, in 1989 and later listed it on the main London Stock Exchange in 1994. Rowan is a fervent advocate for Oxford and currently serves as the Chief Business and Investment Officer at Precision Life. This platform connects chronic disease patients with the drugs they'll respond to, using mechanistic patient stratification biomarkers.

Connect with Rowan on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Nicholas Lyons, former Lord Mayor of the City of London and chair of the Phoenix Group, the UK's largest pension provider. The discussion revolves around the Mansion House Compact, a commitment by insurance companies and pension funds to invest 5% of their capital into UK unlisted companies and infrastructure by 2030. Nicholas shares his insights on the importance of infrastructure investment, the growth economy, pensions, and financial literacy.

(0:12) Introduction
(2:53) The private sector and economic growth
(7:38) The Mansion House Compact outcomes
(18:28) How governmental input can stimulate investment
(23:35) Gaps in the university ecosystem
(37:28) Looking to the future

About the guest:
Nicholas Lyons is the former Lord Mayor of the City of London, a position he held following a 21-year career in executive roles in investment banking. In his current role, as the Chair of the Phoenix Group, the UK's largest pension provider, Nicholas' leadership has left an enduring mark on the financial landscape, highlighted by his advocacy for the Mansion House Compact, through which insurance companies and pension funds committed to invest 5% of their capital into UK-listed companies and infrastructure by 2030.

Connect with Nicholas on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by Mark Preston, CTO of StreetDrone to talk about the motorsports cluster in Oxford and the challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the need for talent mobility, the impact of Brexit on the industry, and the importance of attracting headquarters and startups to the region. Mark and Susannah also take the opportunity to discuss the potential of clusters in other sectors and the need for government support and better immigration policies to attract and retain talent.

(0:12) Introduction
(1:13) Background and early entrepreneurship
(4:19) Exploring the Motorsport Cluster in Oxford
(10:47) Brexit friction
(14:44) National Works Programmes and large scale funding solutions
(18:35) Growing pains
(25:31) StreetDrone and Future Prospects

About the guest:
Mark Preston is the CTO of StreetDrone, a pre-seed company developing low-speed, hyper-local deliveries in ports, commercial settings and local neighbourhoods. Mark also has experience within Formula One, having run multiple teams' engineering departments before moving into strategy and executive management within Formula E.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by guest Cici Muldoon, the founder and CEO of Veritie Group as they touch on the intersection of science and society, the role of entrepreneurship, and the need for support and funding in the startup ecosystem.

They also discuss the challenges that Cici faced in setting up her company and the importance of integrity and transparency in scientific research. Cici also emphasises the significance of making a positive impact and leaving a legacy through scientific innovation.

(0:12) Introduction
(1:13) Founding Veritie Group
(6:31) Pivoting to medical diagnostics
(13:26) Challenges in the startup ecosystem
(27:47) Audience Q&A

About the guest:
Cici Muldoon is the founder and CEO of Veritie Group, an Oxford-based technology company specialising in the spectroscopic analysis of highly complex dilute liquids. Cici holds a degree in physics and finance from Princeton University, and a doctorate in experimental atomic and laser physics from Oxford University. She is also a qualified Oenophile, an amateur ballerina and a classic car judge.

Connect with Cici on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by guest Peter Crane, the co-founder and CEO of Caeruleus Genomics, an Oxford University life sciences spin-out.

Peter shares his perspective as both a founder and an investor in Oxford and beyond, and also discusses why he chose to come back to Oxford to found his business, highlighting the city's abundance of great research and academic talent. From this, they consider the challenges and opportunities of building enduring, founder-driven companies in Oxford, including the need for a diverse investor base that supports founders rather than replacing them.

(0:12) Introduction
(0:54) Returning to Oxford
(6:05) Personality Bias and Business Success
(13:06) The Challenges Faced in Oxford
(28:24) Founding Caeruleus Genomics

About the guest:
Peter Crane is the co-founder and CEO of Caeruleus, a tech-enabled biotech company he spun out of Oxford’s Medical Sciences Division in late 2022. The company is founded around foundational work in the single-cell long-read sequencing space, and combines this with the latest machine learning tools to develop differentiated BIC therapies across a range of chronic and rare diseases.  He’s previously worked in both therapeutics and biology-software companies and has also invested as a VC investor in the UK, EU and US into start-ups and spinouts across life-sciences tools, diagnostics, therapeutics, and deep technology companies. He earned a DPhil in Chemical Biology from Oxford and has been involved in the entrepreneurial community here for over 10 years.

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Hosted by Susannah de Jager, our first episode explores the Oxford investing landscape and differences within the Golden Triangle. Guest David Ford shares insights drawn from his experience as a life science angel investor and Non-Executive Director (NED).

David discusses his initial challenges in accessing Oxford's investment scene and suggests how we might reduce barriers. They touch on varying attributes of Oxford, Cambridge, and London ecosystems while addressing the need for larger, global thinking in UK investing. They also consider the importance of network in early-stage biotech investments, the value of having a science background, and ways of efficiently facilitating diverse capital.

(0:12) Introduction
(3:02) Discussing the Golden Triangle
(15:19) Angel Investing with a Science Background
(29:14) The Potential of UK Pension Funds in Investment
(32:12) Oxford Focused Funds

About the guest:
David Ford is an Oxford-based active life sciences angel investor, currently managing and advising an active portfolio of more than 20 companies, variously focused on AI-based drug design, the application of machine learning to systems biology, nanoparticle delivery technology, to name but a few.

David is also a non-executive director on a listed venture capital trust and Alcentra, a specialist sub-investment grade debt fund management business. He has investments in Oxford, Cambridge and London, as well as belonging to angel networks across both Cambridge and Oxford.

Connect with David on LinkedIn

About the host:
Susannah de Jager 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

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Oxford+ takes you deep into the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape. Join your host, Susannah de Jager, as she interviews investors, influencers, and entrepreneurs who operate within and have an impact on the Oxford ecosystem.

Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk

Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Raya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.