The Oxford Trust appoints Michelle Webb as associate director of operations

The Oxford Trust, the UK charity dedicated to advancing science innovation, education and enterprise, has appointed Michelle Webb as its new associate director of operations to support operational leadership and delivery across the organisation’s innovation programme and two Oxford innovation centres.

With 15 years in the sector, Michelle will bring extensive experience from within Oxford’s innovation community and broader UK science and technology ecosystem. She joins from Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading operator of innovation centres, which originally spun-out from The Oxford Trust, where she worked as centre manager of Harwell Innovation Centre, Oxfordshire.

She will work alongside Nicki Campling, director of innovation and operations, running the Trust’s innovation programme and the Wood Centre for Innovation, Science Oxford Centre, woodland surrounding the Headington site, as well as the Oxford Centre for Innovation in the city centre. The Trust’s innovation centres are home to 20 start-up and scale-up companies as well as ecosystem support organisations.

Michelle’s proven track record in driving operational excellence and nurturing thriving innovation environments will be pivotal as The Oxford Trust continues and expands its space and support for science and tech start-ups, scale-ups and community outreach initiatives. 

The latest project is the new Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation which is under construction and due to be finished in July 2026 to provide an additional 17,000 sq ft (1,600 sq m) of high-quality Class II laboratories and technical workspace for start-ups and grow-on companies.

Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust said: “We warmly welcome Michelle to The Oxford Trust. Her deep understanding of the innovation landscape in Oxford and beyond, coupled with her operational expertise, will strengthen our ability to deliver excellent programmes and spaces for entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. Michelle’s experience will be important as we continue to grow our impact and deliver new space and support for innovation to flourish.”

Michelle Webb, associate director of operations, The Oxford Trust added: “I’m thrilled to be joining The Oxford Trust at such a dynamic time. The organisation’s focus on enabling science and technology enterprises to thrive aligns strongly with my passion for building environments where innovation can flourish. I look forward to working with the team to support operational excellence and help unlock new opportunities for the companies based in the two innovations centres, our partners and stakeholders.”

Michelle will play a central role in operational planning, operational delivery across The Oxford Trust’s two sites, and the continued enhancement of the Trust’s innovation infrastructure and service delivery.