Bruntwood SciTech has named Chris Oglesby as CEO to drive its ambitious growth strategy.
Mr Oglesby, who was already executive chairman of the company and chief executive of the Bruntwood group, will succeed Kate Lawlor, current joint CEO and CFO.
Bruntwood SciTech is a joint venture between property giant Bruntwood and Legal & General that owns office and lab spaces aimed at companies in the science and technology sectors.
In October it secured a £500m investment package and announced plans to create a £5bn property portfolio. That package included £150m from Greater Manchester Pension Fund, as well as investment from Bruntwood and L&G.
The company said: “Kate has decided that she would like to take on a new challenge, having taken Bruntwood SciTech to its present size and success, and playing an instrumental role in securing the latest round of investment for the business.” Kevin Crotty will become chief financial officer.
Mr Oglesby said: “As we enter into the next phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s growth we continue to set ourselves ambitious targets. By 2032, we plan to create a £5 billion UK-wide portfolio that can support 2,600 high-growth companies spanning life sciences, technology, and broader innovation, and I am confident that the strength of the people we have within the business will get us there.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Kate for all she’s done for the business. I am particularly grateful to Kate for her instrumental role in leading Bruntwood SciTech over the past five years, as CFO initially and then joint CEO and CFO, and culminating in her outstanding contribution to bring a third investor and new partner into the company. Her passion, perseverance and dedication to succeed over the past 12 years, since she initially joined as Head of Taxation and Treasury for Bruntwood, have allowed both Bruntwood and Bruntwood SciTech to become the successful businesses that they are.
“She leaves with our gratitude and the very best wishes from me, the business, and her colleagues.”
Bruntwood ScTech has a portfolio of nine campus locations and 31 city centre innovation hubs in Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge and Glasgow.
