The Oxford Trust, an Oxford-based charity with the mission to “encourage the pursuit of science”, has marked the start of construction of its new Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford with an official groundbreaking ceremony – an important milestone in its 40^th anniversary year.

Beard Construction has been appointed the construction partner to deliver a £7 million expansion at the Wood Centre for Innovation.

Central to the development is the Aspen Building, which will sit alongside the existing Linden Building and Science Oxford Centre at the Wood Centre for Innovation.

The new 17,000 sq ft (1,600 sq m) facility will provide high quality CL II level laboratory and office space over two floors and will also feature a STEM resources room to enable the Trust to expand outreach for its STEM education and engagement programmes, delivered by Science Oxford.

The significant investment is in response to the strong demand from start-up and early-stage grow-on science and tech companies seeking laboratory and office space within the Headington Science Cluster. The project will also boost employment in the area during construction and, once fully operational, is anticipated to create up to 80 new on-site jobs.

Set alongside 15 acres of woodland, the Aspen Building will target BREEAM Excellent and include photovoltaic roof panels, a green wall, rainwater harvesting, cycle parking, shower and locker facilities and a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain to enhance its surrounding 15 acres of woodlands, ponds, and grassland. The rainwater harvesting will supply grey water for toilets and will provide additional flow to the ponds, minimising the need for sewer discharge.

Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony included Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust, Mark Beard, chair, Beard Construction, Sam Payne, project manager, Beard Construction, Dave Fisher, commercial manager, Beard Construction, John Boyle chair of trustees, The Oxford Trust, Nicki Campling, director of innovation and operations, The Oxford Trust, Francesca MacLennan, director of education & engagement, The Oxford Trust), Wayne Dobbins, director, ADP, Trudy Tsang, architect, ADP, Roger Prior, associate director, Gleeds, and Andy Bramwell, project director, Gleeds.

Beard Construction was selected through a competitive tender and stood out as a locally based, experienced company with a shared ethos. Beard also constructed the existing buildings on the site in 2018–19.

Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust, said: “Today marks a major milestone in The Oxford Trust’s 40-year journey as we celebrate the signing of contracts and the start of construction of our new Aspen Building. The facility will offer essential lab and office space for start-up and early stage grow-on science and tech companies, helping to strengthen the Headington Science Cluster and wider innovation ecosystem capabilities. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. We eagerly anticipate watching this building take shape, ready for occupation in summer next year.”

Dean Averies, Beard Construction’s director added: “As a family-owned business, supporting clients who make a positive impact to society and communities in which they’re based means a great deal to us.

“Our team has an exceptional track record of delivering spaces of excellence for learning and innovation across all our operating areas. We’re looking forward to working with The Oxford Trust to deliver its vision for spaces that support the thriving science ecosystem that colleagues have supported so well over the years.”

The Aspen Building is to target practical completion in early summer 2026 and the office and lab spaces are available to pre-let, allowing flexibility of design for incoming tenants.

The existing Linden Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation is home to pioneering science and tech companies which include Bioarchitech, DJS Antibodies, PicturaBio, Helio Display Materials, Jack Fertility and Lumai as well as Barclays Eagle Labs incubator and the Oxford Hospital Charity. Collectively these organisations employ nearly 200 people.

Founded in 1985 by Oxford entrepreneurs the late Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood, The Oxford Trust has played a pivotal role in nurturing science-based innovation in the Oxford region. Through its STEM education and engagement programmes, under Science Oxford, and the management of innovation spaces, which include the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Oxford Centre for Innovation, the Trust has supported science innovation, education and public engagement in the region for the last 40 years.

The project team for the Aspen Building includes ADP Architects, Carter Jonas, BSG Ecology, Landshape, Glanville, Gleeds, Sylva Trees and CPW.