Meet Anna Goodman, Our New Innovation Centre Manager who has a clear vision for the future…
With a strong background in hospitality, community-building, and human connections, Anna Goodman, joined Grassroots as Innovation Centre Manager in February this year, a move that was not just a career shift, but a deliberate search for purpose. Here she shares her aspirations, first impressions and future plans for the innovation centre.
Making a difference
Having spent years in hospitality, most recently managing a sailing club on the south coast of England, Anna felt a growing desire to contribute to something more fulfilling. Inspired in part by close exposure to the world of deep tech and scientific innovation via her partner, Anna explains, “I became increasingly drawn to combine my skills with a role that involved people, ideas, and meaningful progress.” The role as Grassroots innovation centre manager offered exactly that – a place where cutting-edge technology and innovative start-ups are creating their own exciting community right in the heart of Oxford, a city widely recognised as a hub for innovation.
Anna feels the transition into managing an innovation centre has been very natural largely due to her prior experience in events, networking and establishing commercial activities. What has stood out most in her early days is the diversity of the community at Grassroots, she said, “It’s amazing to see how many different businesses use the space and how they interact with each other. It’s been lovely to feel the sense of community that’s already there and now just needs to be fostered and encouraged.”
Central to her vision is the idea of balance, particularly in how people work. Having never worked from home herself, she has observed the challenges many face in drawing boundaries between personal and professional life. The innovation centre, in her view, offers an ideal alternative for growing businesses as it offers a flexible, well-equipped environment that feels both professional and welcoming. She explains, “Grassroots is a space for productivity without isolation and with several membership options available, including flexible membership, it allows individuals and teams to engage with the space on their own terms.”
Building Strong Foundations
In the immediate term, her focus has been on refining systems and procedures, making sure that all the basics are in order so that then the team can start looking at the events calendar, community initiatives and networking events, she said, “Essentially, we’ve been doing the essential, yet boring work to pave the way for the fun things.”
Looking ahead, her priorities centre on deepening community engagement and broadening external connections. From structured networking events to more informal gatherings, the aim is to create an ecosystem where the community can develop. “We really want to push for external companies to use the event space or meeting rooms or organise events with our businesses”, she said. “For example, we’ve recently had a really interesting event with Make UK Defence who hosted a networking event at Grassroots for our businesses and wider community,” she added.
Anna is also passionate about maintaining a sense of enjoyment within the workplace and states, “We spend a lot of our lives working, so it needs to be fun!” Initiatives such as casual social events, open-invitation gatherings, and ongoing community activities are all part of her strategy to ensure the space remains vibrant and inclusive.
Although when it comes to events, Anna recognises that not all engagement needs to be formal. In fact, she sees value in offering low-commitment opportunities for connection, events that people can join as and when they choose, without pressure. Anna believes that consistency is key and plans to establish a regular calendar of activity that she hopes will build momentum over time, “I don’t want people to feel pressure to attend but want them to know they are welcome to attend events as and when they can”, she said.
People-First Leadership & Collaborations
Anna’s management style reflects a deeply held belief in the importance of people-first leadership. Currently nearing completion of a distance-learning BSc in Psychology, Anna brings an evidence-based perspective to how teams and communities thrive and values authenticity, openness, and self-awareness. For her, effective management is not about perfection, but about being human, acknowledging challenges, and creating an environment where others feel empowered to do the same.
From a broader perspective, Anna views the innovation landscape in Oxford as both stable and full of opportunity. Having recently carried out a small market analysis, there is a strong sense of resilience among businesses, many of whom are successfully identifying their niches and continuing to grow. Anna expands, “Whilst there are definitely shifts in funding and investment patterns, here at Grassroots we’re seeing high occupancy levels, steady demand, and a constant flow of new enquiries which all point to a healthy and exciting ecosystem.”
Collaboration, in fact, is a recurring theme in her early experience at the centre, from partnerships with external organisations to the support of innovation directors within the centre and wider Oxford Innovation Space and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) connections, Anna highlights the importance of shared knowledge and collective effort. Anna states, “The challenge, and opportunity, now lies in harnessing these resources effectively, ensuring that the centre not only supports its members but actively amplifies their potential.”
Future goals
Ultimately, Anna’s vision is simple: to create a space where people enjoy coming to work, feel connected to those around them, and are inspired to grow. By combining strong operational foundations with a vibrant, people-driven culture, she aims to position the innovation centre as more than just a workplace – but as a thriving community at the heart of Oxford’s innovation ecosystem.
