New managing director for Oxford North

Oxford North Ventures has appointed Simon Ruck as its new managing director.

At the same time, the firm delivering new £700 million innovation district has appointed Kevin Reid as its new energy and engineering manager.

Simon (pictured above) has more than 25 years’ experience and has joined from Brookfield-owned Advanced Research Clusters (ARC) where he was director, asset management at the Harwell Campus.

Prior to that he was vice president, asset management at Brookfield Office Properties and development director at Brookfield Developments. He has also worked for Grainger, Multiplex Developments and Bovis Lend Lease.

Kevin Reid (pictured below) has more than 35 years’ experience and has joined from EMCOR UK where he worked at the Riverlabs Campus and GSK Campus in Ware. Prior to that he worked for CBRE, Baltimore FM and Jaguar Building Services.

Simon and Kevin will be part of on-site management and facilities team, being created ahead of opening of Phase 1a in mid-2025. The total project will deliver one million sq ft of new labs and workspace, 480 new homes surrounded by public parks and amenities.

The joint venture company involves Thomas White Oxford (the development company of St John’s College), Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.

David Camp, chief executive officer, Stanhope said: “We warmly welcome Simon and Kevin to Oxford North. Simon’s exceptional experience in delivering estate, operations and asset management, particularly in the life sciences and biotech space will mean that our future companies will benefit from his extensive expertise.

“Kevin’s impressive track record has meant that he is able to start working closely with our consultant team and construction partners to ensure we are creating a low carbon innovation district, following a net zero carbon pathway, to reduce the carbon footprint for our future occupiers. We will continue to expand the on-site team as we head towards opening this globally significant new place for Oxford.”

Simon Ruck said: “‘I am very excited to be joining Oxford North and cherish the opportunity to help grow a community at the forefront of innovation in Oxford. The buildings, surrounding landscaping and amenity that will form the new innovation district have been carefully designed specifically to boost science and tech discovery and be a place open to everyone. This combined with world class partners within the JV make for an amazing venture.”