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.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:34) - Pete's Journey Back to Oxford
• (02:48) - The Evolution of Oxford Science Enterprises
• (03:59) - Future of Oxford's Innovation Ecosystem
• (07:48) - Quantum Computing: Oxford's Cutting-Edge
• (11:20) - The Magic of Oxford's Community
• (13:10) - Preserving Oxford's Unique Assets
• (14:15) - The Value of Oxford's Teaching System
• (19:41) - Challenges and Opportunities in UK Capital Markets
• (26:19) - Lansdowne Partners' UK Growth Fund

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.

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

Connect with Kay on LinkedIn

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

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn

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

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

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

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.