The Oxford Science Park, one of the UK’s leading parks for science and technology companies, has announced that its newest building is to be named in recognition of the achievements of academic entrepreneur and Magdalen College Fellow Professor Brian Bellhouse. The turf-cutting ceremony for the Bellhouse Building, which is an extension to the Park’s Magdalen Centre, was performed yesterday by Lord Paul Drayson, his business partner and son-in-law, and Lady Elspeth Drayson, one of his daughters. On completion, the 100,000 sq ft Magdalen Centre will be one of the largest innovation centres in the UK.
Professor Brian Bellhouse came to the University of Oxford in 1957 to read Mathematics at Magdalen College and went on to study for a DPhil in the Department of Engineering Science. He was appointed as a University Lecturer and elected as a Tutorial Fellow at Magdalen in 1966, and became a Professor of Engineering Science in 1998.
In addition to his academic activities, Professor Bellhouse was one of the University’s earliest entrepreneurs. One of his ideas came to life in the form of the company PowderJect, which was formed in 1993 and based at The Oxford Science Park.
A time capsule was buried in the ground as part of the turf-cutting ceremony. It contains a copy of a newspaper from the day and photos of the Park, as well as the sealed views of attendees on ‘What will be happening on The Oxford Science Park in 50 years time?’
Lady Elspeth Drayson said, ‘To have an innovation centre building named after my father is an honour with which he would be very pleased. The Bellhouse family would like to thank The Oxford Science Park and Magdalen College for recognising him in this way, which reflects our pride in him.’
Professor Sir David Clary FRS, President of Magdalen College, said, ‘With his immense contribution to Magdalen College, biomedical engineering at the University and his entrepreneurial spirit, Brian Bellhouse embodied all that the College seeks to uphold. In the Bellhouse Building we have a permanent reminder of his impact.’
Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, Managing Director of The Oxford Science Park, said, ‘As part of the Magdalen Centre, the Bellhouse Building will house innovative science and technology companies developing the products and services of the future. It provides around 30,000 sq ft of much-needed laboratory and office space for SMEs, who will doubtless be inspired by the achievements of Professor Bellhouse.’
The Bellhouse Building was designed by Bogle Architects.
