The Oxford Trust has published its 2025 Impact Review, revealing strong growth in science business support and STEM education engagement during its 40th anniversary year.
The charity said it supported 28 science and technology businesses employing 350 people, while its education and engagement programmes reached more than 32,000 young people, teachers, families and community groups across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The review highlights the Trust’s dual focus of helping early-stage science and technology companies grow while encouraging more young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Its innovation centres — The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation and Oxford Centre for Innovation — operated at more than 90 per cent capacity during 2025, supporting a growing cluster of early-stage businesses.
The Trust reported that the supported companies generated £22.75 million in Gross Value Added for the economy. A further 12 start-ups and 30 entrepreneurs were supported through Barclays Eagle Labs co-working space.
A new Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court also opened, adding around 13,000 square feet of workspace for start-ups.
Construction also began on the Trust’s £7 million Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, which will provide an additional 17,000 square feet of laboratory and office space when it opens in summer 2026.
Read more: The Oxford Trust tops out Aspen Building in major step for Oxford science hub
Income generated through the Trust’s innovation centres is reinvested into its Science Oxford education work. Across the 2024–25 academic year, more than 20,000 young people were reached through education programmes, including 11,200 pupils through outreach workshops and shows, while 7,760 pupils from 124 schools visited Science Oxford Centre.
Steve Burgess said:
“Our mission has always been to encourage the pursuit of science – from inspiring young people about the wonders of STEM to supporting science and technology companies to grow and succeed.
“This year’s impact demonstrates the strength of our model: by nurturing innovation and enterprise in Oxford’s science ecosystem, we generate income that can be reinvested directly into inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“Now in our 41st year, it is encouraging to see the continued growth of our innovation centres and the reach of our Science Oxford’s programmes. Together they play an important role in strengthening our regional innovation ecosystem and widening access to science for young people.
“On behalf of the trustees, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the whole team who work tirelessly and with such passion to make this all happen.”
