Goodman partners Oxford Inspires for cultural success in Oxfordshire
12 May 2009
Goodman, the international property group, which owns, develops and manages Oxford Business Park, and is also a JV partner at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, has pledged support to Oxford Inspires, the city's leading cultural development agency, becoming its newest corporate member.
Goodman's support will assist Oxford Inspires in the day-to-day running of cultural projects and the promotion of the arts across the county. Oxfordshire is famed for its world class economy and artistic pursuits, which play a key role in enhancing and supporting the county's unique character. Oxford Inspires exists to develop and promote all forms of culture and the new partnership aims to involve both the local and corporate community.
James Raven, Development Director of Goodman's UK Business Parks, said: "Oxfordshire is world-renowned for its history and culture and Goodman is delighted to support Oxford Inspires to ensure this standing continues. As a company with a major presence in Oxfordshire, we have always striven to become involved in and support local communities. With 174 businesses employing over 9,000 people at our sites around Oxford, it is important for us to work with regional organisations that can help facilitate the wellbeing and productivity of the many organisations that have chosen to locate at our sites."
Kathelene Weiss of Oxford Inspires said: "Goodman's business parks provide a home to, and support for, some of the county's most creative and successful businesses so we are delighted to welcome them as our latest corporate member. Their involvement will support the work of Oxford Inspires as we seek to reveal and celebrate the creativity within Oxfordshire."
Goodman has a track record of creating mixed-use environments such as Oxford Business Park, where it has delivered superior business space solutions for blue-chip customers including Oxfam, Vodafone, and most recently another high profile regional customer; Oxford Fertility Unit, which has signed a 15 year lease at the Park, where it will establish the Institute of Reproductive Science.
Goodman has also partnered with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in a joint venture that will establish a world-leading location for science and innovation at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
In October 2008, Goodman scooped two awards at Property Week's 2008 Office Development Awards, winning the "Best overall development outside central London" and "Best bespoke development outside central London" categories.
About Oxford Inspires
For additional information on Oxford Inspires please visit www.oxfordinspires.org.
For further information on involvement with Oxford Inspires contact Kathelene Weiss 01865 816394 kathelene.weiss@oxfordinspires.org.
Oxford Inspires' corporate members are all playing a part in putting Oxfordshire's cultural life on the map, as well as gaining significant networking and promotional benefits for their companies and staff.
About Arlington Business Parks Partnership
The ABPP is a UK business park fund created in 2003 by Arlington Securities Limited and investment partner Legal and General (L&G). Goodman and L&G manage the fund. ABPP owns and manages a unique portfolio of high quality business parks throughout the UK.
About Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
Goodman Group is an integrated property group with operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Goodman Group, comprised of the stapled entities Goodman Limited and Goodman Industrial Trust, is the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and one of the largest listed industrial property groups globally.
Goodman's global property expertise, integrated own+develop+manage customer service offering and significant fund management platform ensures it creates innovative property solutions that meet the individual requirements of its customers, whilst seeking to deliver attractive long-term returns for investors. In Europe, Goodman has offices in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Turkey.
Please visit: www.goodman.com
For further information on Goodman please contact:
Joanna Reid 020 7269 9348 jo.reid@fd.com
Tilly Shirlaw 020 7269 9352 tilly.shirlaw@fd.com
Richard Stocks 020 7269 9355 richard.stocks@fd.com