Omschrijving
Oxford Instruments is one of the UK's success stories - a science-based company which from the earliest beginnings in a garden shed has become a successful quoted company and a world leader in applied superconductivity. This book is a first-hand account of its evolution which provides real evidence of the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Magnetic Venture provides a valuable, detailed account of the develpment of Oxford Instruments. The book is unusual, being less the history than the autobiography of a business. Audrey - for 24 years a director and key figure - is an insider reporting events in which she participated. With her access to the firm's folk memomry and records and her perceptive approach, she provides a unique account of a pioneerng business.
Audrey Wood was the co-founder of Oxford Instruments with her husband Martin, and remained a director until 1983 when it became a public company. Born in China, she was later educated at Cambridge University where she read both Natural Sciences and English Literature. For various periods in its early history, Audrey Wood was in charge of the company's administration, finance, marketing, and publicity, in addition to holding the legal position of Company Secretary until 1982. She travelled extensively to hold exhibitions and to visit customers in Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, USA, Japan, and Australia. Audrey Wood resigned from the Board in 1983 when Oxford Instruments was floated on the stock exchange, but has remained in close contact with the company.