focus on oxford 23 The key to success
The Oxford Science Park’s Magdalen Centre has had its most successful 12 months since the start of the current economic downturn. The ‘Innovation Centre’ has seen occupancy of its variety of offices and laboratories increase by more than 23% during the year to March 31. It’s welcomed a number of new companies, while several of those already there have expanded. Business development manager, Ian Macpherson, says: “The Oxford Science Park has been operating for more than 20 years and we have seen several national and international economic downturns during that period. On each occasion we have witnessed the innovation, determination and adaptability of companies on the Park to flourish and embrace new national and international opportunities.”
The Park’s already significant representation in the biotech/ pharma industries has been further boosted with six new companies taking on office and/or laboratory space in the Magdalen Centre.
An additional factor in the Park’s
occupancy success has been a noticeable increase in the number of IT companies – including Extrinsica Global, Cake Solutions, Cantata, and Livetime2 – who are taking on space at the Park, and strengthening its sector mix. Magdalen Centre manager Shannon Blaszko says: “A number of specialist IT companies have moved here to join the likes of IBM, Nominet and Qinetiq, who have been established on the Park for several years. Now more than 30% of the companies here operate in the IT/ telecomms industries.”
A keyword for the centre’s success, says Blaszko, is flexibility: “The Magdalen Centre has proved very attractive to software companies, as our one-month licence agreements mean that they are able to easily expand as new opportunities arise. We have also upgraded broadband provision so that increased capacity can be added for individual companies within 24 hours.”
There’s a very strong international feel to the company mix at The Oxford Science Park. Macpherson
Offices and laboratories in the Magdalen Innovation Centre
says: “More than 20% of those already here are from overseas, and so it has been very encouraging to see additional new companies like Izon Science (New Zealand) and Swedish Biomimetics 3000 (Sweden) move into the Magdalen Centre to establish an Oxford base.”
The global interest in the Park is also being reflected in the increasing number of international visitors coming over to see how a successful science park is run. Says Macpherson: “The Park has always been an international location and attracts a lot of interest from overseas governments, study groups and companies. During the past year we have welcomed at least one delegation per month, including visitors from China, Korea, the USA, and continental Europe.”
Elsewhere on the Park, patent attorneys Marks & Clerk have moved into the Fletcher House building and are developing a series of IP-focused seminars, in addition to the range covering different business issues organised by the Park’s management team. Also the Park’s Sadler Building is expanding its activities as a venue location, both for on-site companies and those visiting. Its offer includes wedding receptions, live theatre, dinner dances, awards evenings, BBQs, and evening lectures and dinners.
Details: Ian Macpherson 01865-781300
Ian.Macpherson@
oxfordsp.com www.oxfordsp.com
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2013
T. 01865 792 300
www.businessmag.co.uk
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