Exeter College, Oxford to contribute to our forum at The Oxford Science Park

Image: CGI of proposed EXOq development on land to the north of the city of Oxford (courtesy Exeter College Oxford)

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Nicholas Badman, Bursar of Exeter College, Oxford, will be contributing to our April discussion event at The Oxford Science Park.

The forum will carry forward our previous science cities discussions on the expansion of science parks and knowledge quarters as well as the development of house-building and connected infrastructure across the OxCam Growth Corridor.

Nicholas studied PPE at Oriel College (1984-7). then completed a Short Service Commission in the Royal Horse Artillery before moving into the finance sector, qualifying as an accountant with Arthur Andersen.

He is a senior corporate financier with over 20 years’ experience including at Samuel Montagu (HSBC), Schroder Salomon Smith Barney (Citigroup) and for the last 13 years as a Partner at Penfida advising pension fund trustees. He also has experience as a Finance Director, at Evolutec, and a Non-Executive Director, at Celsis.

Exeter College is now developing EXOq - a home for global research, innovation and education, set within parkland in a highly sustainable location on land owned by the College in Cherwell District.

Exeter College says:

'At the heart of the proposal is Sovereign High- Performance Compute (HPC) infrastructure to power and accelerate research of global significance and its commercial development. The data centres will be quantum compatible.

'EXOq will support research and development in many areas requiring significant compute power and data storage capacity such as climate, advanced materials, particle physics, space and satellite technology, NHS data for drug development and the development of computer science and AI.

'Beyond its strategic importance for the region and the UK, EXOq will deliver substantial benefits for local residents, including: a new park and amenities for Kidlington supporting the wellbeing of communities and tackling social isolation; a further education college providing skilled local employment opportunities in hardware and IT; a low-carbon heat facility for the area; and improved active travel links to Oxford city and Kidlington.'

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