Oxford Science Enterprises strengthens investment teams

Oxford Science Enterprises, the “science business builder” and University of Oxford partner has appointed Heather Roxborough as partner, health tech, and Wallace Wallace as associate, life sciences.

Roxborough will lead the health tech investment team to identify cutting-edge science and technology from the university’s world leading academics, drive investments into new spinouts and support the scale up of existing enterprises. Wallace joins the growing life sciences team to support the creation of new businesses and ongoing work across the current portfolio.

Alexis Dormandy, CEO Oxford Science Enterprises, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Heather and Wallace. Heather brings over 15 years of investment and leadership experience, with a strong track record of deal-making and company building to lead the health tech team.

“While Wallace’s experience in scientific due diligence and early-stage investing strengthens the Life Sciences team. These appointments continue to demonstrate our commitment and enhanced ability to identify, support and commercialise the University of Oxford’s cutting-edge science in order to build world-leading businesses.”

Heather Roxborough joins the firm from Optum Ventures where she was a partner, responsible for establishing and leading the global health tech investment fund on behalf of Optum, a leading technology-enabled US health services business, part of UnitedHealth Group.

She has also held investment roles at J&J Innovations as senior director and Tate and Lyle Ventures as Principal.

Wallace joins from M-Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Merck KGaA, where she supported the life sciences investment team across scientific due diligence and portfolio management.

Previously, Wallace worked at Accenture as a consultant, assisting the business strategy and operation strategy units, advising financial services clients.