Oxford+

Susannah de Jager
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Welcome to Oxford+, the podcast series that explores the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape hosted by Susannah de Jager. Since moving to Oxford, Susannah has collaborated with experts, entrepreneurs, and government to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Oxford+ aims to inform, inspire, and connect. We'll talk to Founders, investors, academics, politicians, and facilitators and explore how Oxford is open for business.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO ·  BONUS

    Oxford+ in Brief with Olga Kozlova

    What would success actually look like if Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem got the next phase right? In this Oxford+ in Brief bonus episode, Susannah de Jager puts four rapid-fire questions to Olga Kozlova, one of the leaders behind Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford). Olga shares what she believes the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor could unlock for the UK economy and what it would mean in everyday terms for Oxfordshire as a place to live, from connectivity to housing and opportunity. She also offers practical advice for anyone entering the ecosystem: expect to spend time building relationships, one coffee at a time. Finally, she reflects on Oxford’s strengths, from global brand power to extraordinary science, and why the next step depends on becoming more joined up. Olga Kozlova: Olga Kozlova is Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford and a leader in innovation ecosystems, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. She previously established and led the Innovation and Industry Engagement directorate at the University of Strathclyde and founded Converge, Scotland’s national company creation and entrepreneurship development programme. Connect with Olga on LinkedIn Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    5 min

  2. 31 MAR

    Building a More Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem in Oxfordshire

    How do you turn a brilliant but messy innovation ecosystem into something easier to navigate, stronger on the world stage, and fairer for local communities? In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Olga Kozlova, one of the driving forces behind Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford), a new partnership convened by the University of Oxford to align universities, investors, corporates, developers and communities behind a shared ambition for Oxfordshire. Olga explains why Equinox formed, why a united voice matters if Oxford wants to compete with global clusters, and how the initiative aims to make the ecosystem more accessible for founders, investors and companies looking to locate in the region. The conversation also explores why equitable growth cannot be an afterthought in a county with stark inequalities, and how skills, narratives and practical delivery can help more people feel the benefits of innovation. Equinox launched in November 2025 with over 40 regional partners and a new NatWest Accelerator to support Oxfordshire start-ups. (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+ (02:02) - Why Equinox Was Formed: A United Voice for Oxfordshire (03:51) - Making the Ecosystem Easier to Navigate for Founders and Investors (05:44) - What Equitable Innovation Means in Practice (09:06) - Does Equity Language Spook Investors? (12:42) - The Four Workstreams: Investors, Corporates, Developers, Communities (14:25) - Early Priorities: Inward Investment, Shared Materials, NatWest Accelerator (16:55) - Who Should Join Next: SMEs, NHS, and the Coalition of the Willing (19:53) - What Founders Need: Navigation, Capital, and Peer Networks (22:04) - The Quadruple Helix and a Model Other Regions Can Copy (25:19) - Measuring Success: Sector Diversity, Investors, and Reducing Inequality (28:00) - Olga’s Career Journey and Why Universities Matter Olga Kozlova: Olga Kozlova is Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford and a leader in innovation ecosystems, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. She previously established and led the Innovation and Industry Engagement directorate at the University of Strathclyde and founded Converge, Scotland’s national company creation and entrepreneurship development programme. Connect with Olga on LinkedIn Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    35 min

  3. 24 MAR ·  BONUS

    Oxford+ in Brief with Lord William Hague

    What would success for UK innovation actually look like in practice? In this short Oxford+ in Brief bonus episode, host Susannah de Jager asks Lord William Hague four fast questions that cut straight to the future of Oxford, the Oxford ecosystem, and Britain’s ability to translate world-class ideas into lasting prosperity. Hague argues that the UK should aim to make the Oxford–Cambridge–London triangle the place in the world to build a career, invest, and create globally significant companies. The Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor has become a central plank of the UK’s growth agenda, with the Chancellor previously pointing to an ambition to add £78bn to the economy by 2035, as reported by BBC News. Against that backdrop, Hague’s answers highlight two recurring themes: Oxford’s extraordinary breadth across disciplines, and the structural challenge of moving quickly inside a decentralised institution. Lord William Hague: Lord William Hague of Richmond is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a former Leader of the Conservative Party. He studied PPE at Magdalen College, Oxford, later completing an MBA at INSEAD, and served as MP for Richmond for 26 years, including as Leader of the Conservative Party (1997–2001) and as Foreign Secretary (2010–2014). As Minister for Disabled People, he was responsible for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and he co-founded the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford in November 2024 and took up his duties in February 2025. Connect with Lord William Hague on LinkedIn Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    4 min

  4. 17 MAR

    Lord William Hague on Talent, Technology, and Capital

    How does the UK turn world-class ideas into world-class companies, without selling the best outcomes abroad? In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Lord William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former UK Foreign Secretary, about the UK’s scale-up gap and what it will take to build an innovation economy that keeps more value at home. They discuss why universities sit at the centre of growth, how pension capital and other long-term investors can help close the funding gap, and why procurement and slow decision-making can quietly kill promising companies before they reach commercial scale. The conversation lands in the reality of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, which government has positioned as a long-term national growth project. Recent reporting on the corridor highlights the scale of the ambition and the industries driving it, alongside the claim it could add £78bn to the economy by 2035. From foreign takeovers of UK spinouts to the need for faster infrastructure delivery, this episode offers a clear, systems-level view of what Oxford’s ecosystem reveals about the UK’s economic future. (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+ (02:26) - What the Chancellor of Oxford Actually Does (07:36) - Oxford’s Global Position and Talent Flywheel (09:57) - The Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the Need for Speed (14:05) - The Scale-up Capital Gap and Pension Capital (15:09) - Unicorn Spinouts, Foreign Buyers, and Ownership (19:47) - Procurement as a Hidden Blocker to Innovation (23:34) - Why Britain Moves Slowly and What Could Change (27:19) - The Ellison Institute of Technology and Oxford’s Next Phase (31:22) - US Politics, Talent Flows, and Global Competition (38:44) - AI, Education, and Avoiding Brain Rot (40:05) - Social Media, Youth Mental Health, and Regulation Lord William Hague: Lord William Hague of Richmond is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a former Leader of the Conservative Party. He studied PPE at Magdalen College, Oxford, later completing an MBA at INSEAD, and served as MP for Richmond for 26 years, including as Leader of the Conservative Party (1997–2001) and as Foreign Secretary (2010–2014). As Minister for Disabled People, he was responsible for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and he co-founded the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford in November 2024 and took up his duties in February 2025. Connect with Lord William Hague on LinkedIn Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    42 min

  5. 10 MAR ·  BONUS

    Oxford+ in Brief with Hannah Scott, CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech

    What would success look like if Oxfordshire got climate innovation truly right, not just in ideas, but in deployment at scale?  In this Oxford+ bonus episode, Susannah de Jager speaks with Hannah Scott, CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, about the practical barriers that stop climate tech startups moving from promise to global impact. Hannah unpacks why scaling hardware and deep tech takes longer, costs more, and often hits the Valley of Death between Series A and Series B, where funding needs can jump dramatically. She argues the UK needs more patient capital, including family offices, and reflects on whether pension reform will genuinely shift investment towards British IP and industrial capability. That question has new urgency, with the government saying the Mansion House Accord could unlock up to £50bn for UK businesses and major infrastructure. The conversation also looks forward: what Oxford might become by 2050, and how to weigh heritage, housing, equity, and innovation. Finally, Hannah frames AI as both opportunity and risk for net zero, and asks what it means to move forward more sensibly. Hannah Scott: Hannah Scott is the CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, a not-for-profit business network building a world-leading climate tech innovation ecosystem in Oxfordshire with impact beyond. She leads the organisation in managing and engaging members, connecting them with funding, customers, and business expertise whilst facilitating scale-up innovation through events, programmes and projects. Hannah is also Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, which showcases, develops and scales climate-critical technologies across the UK and Europe. She sits on the Oxford Economic Growth Steering Board and was named to edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. Having helped launch Oxfordshire Greentech in 2019 whilst working for sustainability consultancy Bioregional, Hannah has now stepped into full-time leadership of the network and continues to deliver successful events, commercial opportunities and projects with climate and social impact. Connect with Hannah Scott on LinkedIn or visit Oxfordshire Greentech Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    11 min

  6. 3 MAR

    Building a World-Leading Climate Tech Ecosystem in Oxfordshire

    How do you turn a county into a world-leading climate tech ecosystem, and why does collaboration matter more than competition when tackling the climate crisis? In this episode of Oxford Plus, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Hannah Scott, CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech and Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, about building networks that connect climate innovators with the funding, expertise and corporate partnerships they need to scale. They explore how Oxfordshire has quietly become one of the UK's most important regions for climate innovation, with emerging specialisms in energy tech at Harwell, fusion at Culham and sustainable chemistry at Begbroke. With the UK climate tech sector now valued at $75.3 billion but investment falling 67% since 2023, Hannah explains how business networks like Oxfordshire Greentech help startups leapfrog challenges, access visibility and navigate the valley of death. From the recent launch of a green ammonia demonstrator at Harwell to the formation of a cross-European climate tech supercluster spanning Amsterdam, London and Paris, this conversation reveals how local action can drive global climate impact. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for support, an investor seeking deal flow, or a corporate wanting to engage with cutting-edge climate solutions, this episode offers a practical roadmap for plugging into one of the UK's most dynamic innovation ecosystems. (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford Plus (03:01) - The Range of Climate Tech Innovation in Oxfordshire (05:21) - Geographic Reach Beyond Oxfordshire (08:31) - The Climate Tech SuperCluster (12:05) - Cross-Regional Collaboration with Cambridge Cleantech (16:30) - Day-to-Day Support for Members (24:48) - Key Events Throughout the Year (29:09) - Access to Finance Conference (31:00) - Networking Innovation and Speed Dating (33:55) - Climate Solutions Conference (35:06) - Connecting Startups with Local Government (38:34) - How Investors Can Engage (39:18) - The MIT Five-Stakeholder Model Hannah Scott: Hannah Scott is the CEO of Oxfordshire Greentech, a not-for-profit business network building a world-leading climate tech innovation ecosystem in Oxfordshire with impact beyond. She leads the organisation in managing and engaging members, connecting them with funding, customers, and business expertise whilst facilitating scale-up innovation through events, programmes and projects. Hannah is also Co-Founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster, which showcases, develops and scales climate-critical technologies across the UK and Europe. She sits on the Oxford Economic Growth Steering Board and was named to edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. Having helped launch Oxfordshire Greentech in 2019 whilst working for sustainability consultancy Bioregional, Hannah has now stepped into full-time leadership of the network and continues to deliver successful events, commercial opportunities and projects with climate and social impact. Connect with Hannah Scott on LinkedIn or visit Oxfordshire Greentech Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    44 min

  7. 24 FEB ·  BONUS

    Oxford+ in Brief with Dr Alison Hawks, Co-Founder and CEO of BMNT LTD

    What would defence reform look like if we stopped overcomplicating it? In this Oxford+ in brief episode, host Susannah de Jager asks Alison Hawks questions that reveal how leaders think under pressure, what shapes their decisions, and what they are curious about right now. Alison argues that defence needs to get out of its own way: procurement should be a clearer transaction where the military owns the problem, industry owns the solution, and requirements reflect that division of expertise. She shares practical advice for anyone entering the sector tomorrow, using the simple test of desirability, feasibility, and viability to avoid building solutions nobody will fund or use. Looking ahead to 2050, Alison predicts a different defence marketplace where today’s primes may not dominate in the same way, even as scale still depends on major supply chains. Dr Alison Hawks: Dr Alison Hawks is co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, the UK arm of BMNT, where she advises governments and technology companies on accelerating adoption of commercial innovation in defence and national security. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Common Mission Project UK, a charity delivering mission-driven entrepreneurial education programmes in the UK. She was named Woman of the Year for Innovation and Creativity at the Women in Defence Awards (2022). Connect with Alison Hawks on LinkedIn / Visit BMNT Ltd Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    15 min

  8. 17 FEB

    Defence Innovation in the UK: How Startups Win Government Contracts

    How do you sell to a customer where the decision-maker is actually five different people, and half of them might move roles before the contract lands? In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Dr Alison Hawks, co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, about why defence innovation is becoming a structural opportunity, and why procurement literacy is often more important than the technology itself. They unpack the realities of B2G: long buying cycles, complex stakeholder incentives, and the traps that stall companies after a promising pilot. The conversation lands at a timely moment. The UK’s Strategic Defence Review commits to an ‘always on’ munitions pipeline, including building at least six new energetics and munitions factories, signalling how seriously government is now treating sovereign capability and industrial resilience. From Commercial X and changing acquisition culture to data sovereignty, Oxford’s role in defence innovation, and what investors should look for in founders, this episode offers a practical map for navigating a market that rewards patience, clarity, and credible pathways to adoption. (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+ (00:37) - Defence Innovation as a Structural Opportunity (03:53) - Where UK Defence Tech Is Moving: AI, Autonomy, Manufacturing (06:01) - Why Defence Is Not a Commercial Customer (08:35) - Speaking the Customer’s Language and Understanding the Problem (09:18) - Sole Source, Compliance, and the Post-Pilot Trap (11:10) - Procurement Policy as a Maze, and How to Find the Front Doors (15:23) - The “American No” and Interpreting Signals from Government Buyers (17:07) - Sovereignty: Supply Chain, Data, and Technology Independence (20:08) - What BMNT Actually Does Day to Day for Clients (27:06) - The Section 809 Panel and Changing Acquisition Culture (34:42) - Oxford’s Role in the Next Wave of Defence Innovation Dr Alison Hawks: Dr Alison Hawks is co-founder and CEO of BMNT Ltd, the UK arm of BMNT, where she advises governments and technology companies on accelerating adoption of commercial innovation in defence and national security. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Common Mission Project UK, a charity delivering mission-driven entrepreneurial education programmes in the UK. She was named Woman of the Year for Innovation and Creativity at the Women in Defence Awards (2022) Connect with Alison Hawks on LinkedIn / Visit BMNT Ltd Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive Content Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston. Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    42 min
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About

Welcome to Oxford+, the podcast series that explores the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape hosted by Susannah de Jager. Since moving to Oxford, Susannah has collaborated with experts, entrepreneurs, and government to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Oxford+ aims to inform, inspire, and connect. We'll talk to Founders, investors, academics, politicians, and facilitators and explore how Oxford is open for business.

Information

  • Creator
    Susannah de Jager
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Susannah de Jager
  • Show Website
    Oxford+

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