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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

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

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

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

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Robin on LinkedIn

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

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

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

Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

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.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (00:31) - The Importance of Recognising Everyone
• (01:31) - Transitioning Leadership Through Growth Phases
• (02:25) - Challenges for Founders in Organisational Growth
• (03:37) - Managing Large Organisations
• (04:31) - The Role of Middle Management
• (06:50) - The Importance of Soft Skills in Hiring
• (07:58) - Evaluating Candidates Beyond the CV
• (10:14) - The Potential of AI in Hiring Processes
• (11:01) - Compromises in Hiring Decisions

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.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:46) - Dunbar's Number and Group Dynamics
• (03:25) - Optimal Group Sizes for Decision Making
• (07:22) - Transition Points in Group Sizes
• (10:35) - Challenges of Scaling Companies
• (12:48) - Managing Large Groups and Hierarchies
• (18:00) - Creating a Sense of Belonging

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.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (00:58) - Meet Zandy Forbes: From Academia to CEO
• (02:08) - Transitioning to Wall Street
• (03:57) - Discovering the World of Biotech
• (07:15) - Founding MeiraGTx
• (09:45) - Innovative Gene Therapy Approaches
• (13:04) - Breakthroughs in Genetic Medicine
• (14:46) - Success Stories: Transforming Lives
• (20:36) - Challenges and Strategies in Biotech
• (27:41) - Navigating the Public Markets
• (31:27) - The Future of Biotech in the UK

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.