Parliament played host to some of Oxfordshire’s leading innovators last week, as high-tech businesses, research institutions and local political leaders gathered in Westminster for a showcase focused on the county’s growing innovation economy.
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council and Advanced Oxford, the event on 20 November highlighted both the strengths of the region’s advanced manufacturing sector and the pressing need for improved infrastructure to support its continued expansion.
Speakers from Harwell Science Park, BMW-Mini, Tokamak Energy and Polar Technology shared insights on the challenges facing their organisations as they scale.
A key concern raised throughout the session was the lack of local substations, which is preventing businesses from accessing the national grid. Without this reliable power supply, companies such as Tokamak Energy are unable to deliver new technologies, including the nuclear fusion magnets central to their work.
Reliable transport links were also identified as essential for moving raw materials and supporting employees’ daily travel.
Olly Glover, Member of Parliament for Didcot and Wantage, hosted the event and emphasised the importance of supporting the county’s advanced manufacturers. He said:
“I was really pleased to welcome businesses and organisations from across Oxfordshire to the House of Commons to champion advanced manufacturing and highlight our incredible and rapidly expanding community of high-tech companies and scientific innovators.
“Advanced manufacturing underpins many sectors, transport for example. Transport innovation is impossible without those who design and build the components that make it real.
“But innovation cannot thrive without the right infrastructure… If Oxfordshire is to continue leading in innovation, we must provide its innovators with the support they deserve; reliable infrastructure, skills development, affordable homes for employees, and investment that matches their ambition.”
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, reinforced the message, pointing to the county’s “Knowledge Spine” — the strategic corridor between Bicester, Oxford and Science Vale — at the heart of Oxfordshire’s innovation landscape.
She warned that limited grid connections are constraining both new housing and business growth, stressing the need to accelerate construction of grid supply points to unlock further potential.
Sarah Haywood, CEO of Advanced Oxford, added that the showcase demonstrated unified support from business and local government for greater investment in utilities and grid connectivity.
The event concluded with a clear message: Oxfordshire’s world-class innovation economy can only continue to thrive with improved power infrastructure, better transport links and affordable housing to support its workforce.
