Franks Room and Steel Room

These rooms can be used individually, or joined together to make a much larger area. Both spaces benefit from filtered natural daylight, and both have air conditioning and lighting that can be controlled separately.

Named after Oliver Shewell Franks and Sir David Steel, both previous Trustees and Chairmen of the Wellcome Trust, the rooms are decorated in a contemporary style and enhanced with art pieces from Henry Wellcome's collection.

Audiovisual specifications (same in both rooms)

• Data projection from computer/video source
• Screens
• Video/DVD
• PA system
• Computer
• Partition wall decibel protection to 49 dB

Accessibility

• Induction loop installed
• Assistance-dog friendly
• Narrowest door width: 1270mm
• Staff are disability-awareness trained
• Flat/lift access
• Accessible parking bay – please pre-book with venue team
• Menus available in large print
• Accessible toilets

Schedule

• Full session: 08.00-17.00
• Half session: 08.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00, 18.00-22.00

Food and drink

Floor plan

How to book

For current rates or to make a booking, please telephone 020 7611 2200 or email conferencecentre@wellcome.ac.uk. Alternatively, complete an online enquiry form.

Sir Oliver Shewell Franks, Lord Franks of Headington – a brief biography

Born in 1905 in Birmingham, UK, Oliver Franks enjoyed a distinguished career both as an academic and in the worlds of government and business.

He was appointed Trustee in 1963 and Chairman in 1965, a role he assumed until his retirement in 1982.

Franks always maintained that one of the Trust's strengths was the close working relationship between the Trustees and the staff, which resulted in a common pot of thoughts and suggestions. He initiated policy meetings and did away with the rigid qualification structure of the Board, which had hitherto required the presence of a solicitor and an accountant.

Sir David Steel – a brief biography

Sir David Steel was appointed a Trustee and Chairman in 1981. The period of his Chairmanship covered a number of major developments in the history of the Trust, in particular the disposal of 25 per cent of the Trustees' shareholding in Wellcome plc with the consequent expansion of the Trust's income and therefore its programmes for support of research and history.

During the period of the flotation of Wellcome plc the Trustees became much more closely involved with the company's affairs. Thus when he retired in 1989, Steel left the Trust a very different place from the one he took over from his predecessor, Lord Franks.