The Oxford Trust’s 2025 impact review highlights support for 350 science jobs and STEM engagement reaching 32,000 people

The Oxford Trust has published its 2025 Impact Review which marked its 40th anniversary year with strong results across both its innovation centres and its Science Oxford STEM education and engagement programmes.

The charity has supported 28 science and technology businesses which employed 350 people, while its education and engagement activities has reached more than 32,000 young people, teachers, families and community groups across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The review demonstrated the Trust’s dual mission: to support early-stage science and technology companies to grow while inspiring the next generation to pursue STEM careers.

During 2025, The Oxford Trust’s innovation centres – the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Oxford Centre for Innovation – operated at over 90% capacity to support a growing cluster of early-stage science and technology companies.

Key innovation impacts included:

• 28 science and technology companies supported
• 350 employees working across supported businesses
• £22.75 million generated in Gross Value Added (GVA) boosting the economy
• 12 start-ups and 30 entrepreneurs supported through Barclays Eagle Labs co-working space
• Launch of the new Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court, providing around 13,000 sq ft of workspace for start-ups

In addition, construction began on the Trust’s £7 million Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, which will add 17,000 sq ft (1,579 sq m) of laboratory and office space to support scaling science and technology companies.

Income generated through the Trust’s innovation centres is reinvested into its Science Oxford STEM education and engagement programmes, which aims to encourage curiosity about science and broaden participation in STEM.

Across the 2024-25 academic year, the programmes achieved significant reach:

• 32,000+ people engaged across all STEM education and engagement activities
• 20,000+ young people reached through education programmes
• 11,200 pupils engaged through primary school outreach workshops and shows
• 7,760 pupils from 124 schools visiting the Science Oxford Centre
• 9,230 visitors attending Family Days
• 1,471 young people taking part in STEM clubs
• 40 teachers trained across 29 primary schools through CPD programmes

The Trust also supported 100 schools taking part in the Big Science Event, which encouraged pupil-led enquiry and scientific thinking.

Steve Burgess, CEO, The Oxford Trust, 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.”

Founded in 1985, The Oxford Trust operates a self-sustaining charitable model, where income from innovation centres supports its STEM education and engagement activities delivered through Science Oxford.

With the Aspen Building due to open in summer 2026, the Trust will further increase its capacity to support science and technology companies while expanding STEM outreach across the region.