Experienced business consultant strengthens Oxfordshire business growth network

Sharon Parker-Lines has taken on the role of Centre Director for Oxford Centre for Innovation and the Wood Centre for Innovation, as well as retaining the management of Harwell Innovation Centre.

Highly experienced in dealing with complex multi-stakeholder requirements, she is an expert in providing thoughtful and effective management to drive businesses forward.

She said: “Having spent 12 months working to create a thriving business community at the Harwell Innovation Centre, in line with its gateway policy, I’m delighted to deliver the same focus at the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Oxford Centre for Innovation.

“My skills have always been in understanding what the customer wants and how to deliver it in a way no one else in the market can. Together with our Innovation Director, Wendy Tindsley, and the rest of the Oxford Innovation team, I am committed to understanding what innovators, start-ups, entrepreneurs and emerging businesses are facing, and strive hard to ensure their future success.”

Both centres are owned by The Oxford Trust and managed by Oxford Innovation. The stunning Wood Centre for Innovation (WCFI) is located in 15 acres of Woodland at Stansfield Park in Headington. Providing 20,000 sq ft of purpose-built office, dry/wet labs, workshop and meeting space for early stage health, science, technology and ecosystem-supporting businesses. In addition to this WCFI also boasts a 120-seater auditorium and an on-site café with outdoor eating area perfect for larger events and summer socials.

Sharon added: “My focus for the Wood Centre for Innovation is to create a thriving bio-medical and health-tech eco system. I’m dedicated to creating a community for our customers and linking them with our contacts to ensure they engage with the right audience to propel their business forward.”

The centre is only a short distance from world-class bioscience facilities, laboratories, clinical research facilities, hospitals and research centres, providing an ideal location for health and technology businesses to take full advantage of.

The Oxford Centre for Innovation (OCFI), is based in the heart of Oxford’s vibrant city centre providing a range of sought after private offices, shared workspace and meeting rooms for growing science and tech companies.

Sharon said: “Space at Oxford Centre for Innovation is in high demand so we now operate a waiting list. Meanwhile we are making sure that we look after our existing customers by doing everything we can to develop them.

“One of the most successful things about both Innovation Centres is the fact we have an ever developing customer base. This ads to our knowledge base and supports our dedication to connecting people and companies across our centres and meeting their growing needs.”

Businesses interested in finding out more about available space at the Wood Centre for Innovation or the Oxford Centre for Innovation, can contact Sharon Parker-Lines at S.Parker-Lines@oxin.co.uk or on 01865 261400.