New ‘oxfordworkplace’ boosts Oxfordshire built environment
New collaboration combines local expertise with building and infrastructure management to enhance services across Oxfordshire
Business Services
The Customer Test: When Service Fails the Customer
CASE 1: Ovo Energy by B4’s CEO, Richard Rosser
Construction begins on The Oxford Trust’s new Aspen Building at the...
The Oxford Trust, an Oxford-based charity with the mission to “encourage the pursuit of science”, has marked the start of construction of its new Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford with an official groundbreaking ceremony – an important milestone in its 40th anniversary year.
The Oxford Trust marks 40 years of championing science with a...
The Oxford Trust, an independent charitable trust dedicated to “encouraging the pursuit of science”, marked its 40th anniversary with a special evening at Rhodes House, Oxford, on 25th September 2025. The event brought together 200 guests from the worlds of science, business, and education, and members of the wider community.
Finance & Insurance
Last Chance: Claim Your COVID-19 Business Interruption Compensation Before It’s Too...
As the March 2026 deadline approaches, businesses that suffered losses during the COVID-19 pandemic have a final opportunity to claim compensation under Business Interruption (BI) insurance policies. Recent legal changes mean more companies may now qualify, even if they were previously denied. If your business had BI cover in place during the first lockdown, now is the time to review your policy, seek expert advice, and act before your chance to recover pandemic-related losses is gone for good. Don’t miss out – find out what steps you need to take before it’s too late.
Act now to protect your business – up to 50% off...
The recent cyber-attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods show us that if big brands with full-time security teams can be compromised, no one is immune and all businesses are at risk.
Ad-hoc co-working space and meeting rooms now available at Witney Business...
Witney Business & Innovation Centre (WBIC) is pleased to be providing additional social workspaces to enhance its current business space offerings to meet the needs of the local start-ups and businesses, continuing the legacy of Windrush House being the ‘hub’ of the community.
Latest
Companies House Identity Checks Coming Into Force on 18 November 2025
Companies House has confirmed that mandatory identity verification (IDV) will be introduced from Tuesday 18 November 2025, marking one of the most significant changes to UK corporate regulation in recent years. The reforms are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and are designed to improve the accuracy, transparency and integrity of information held on the Companies House register. By Simon Robinson of nexa law.
Sustainability
Arctic Basecamp x Freeths: The Business Case for Tackling Climate Risk
Date: Thursday 2 October
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Location: Zoom – see registration link below
Oxford Climate Awards 2025
Long-term B4 Platinum Members, Unipart, are sponsoring the Oxford Climate Awards and you can submit your nomination today before Friday’s deadline. Article courtesy of The Oxford Mail.
The Art of Horticulture, Design, and Woodland Creation at Nicholsons
At Nicholsons, the blend of horticultural expertise, creative design, and environmental responsibility comes together to create breathtaking landscapes and future-proof woodlands. Managing Director Liz Nicholson shares insights into how the company continues to innovate in these areas, staying true to its values of creativity, passion for the planet, and dedication.
Latest Digest
Issue 61 – Henley Festival
Issue 61, featuring B4 members.
Conference & Events
Blenheim Palace: There is No Palace Like Home
Having visited the stunning ‘Palace of Oz’ for the annual Blenheim Christmas Lights, the ‘There is no Place Like Home’ sign in the Oz-themed Palace was a fitting reminder of how Oxfordshire’s jewel in the crown has supported B4 over the past 20 years as it’s unofficial second home and cornerstone of the B4 Community
FROM LOVER TO BUYER™
Please join us on Tuesday, October 14th, 2-6:30PM at the Royal Suite of St. Pancras Hotel London, concurrent with Frieze London Art Week, for an afternoon tea and social featuring conversations with visionaries at the intersection of art, culture, and business.
OBS2026
B4, partnering with Blenheim Palace will be hosting the second Oxfordshire Business Summit at Blenheim Palace on 15th May 2026.
Professional Services
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP Celebrate Double Top-Tier Recognition in Leading...
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP (BH&O) has once again been recognised as one of the region’s leading family law firms, achieving top-tier rankings in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners 2026 Guides — a remarkable achievement for a firm that has just celebrated its seventh anniversary.
Freeths advises RQA Europe on transition to Employee Ownership Trust
Leading law firm Freeths has advised RQA Europe Ltd on its move to become an employee-owned company.
B4 welcomes Simon Robinson of Nexa Law as our latest Gold...
At Nexa, client relationships come first. The firm prioritises understanding individual needs, without rigid fee structures or billing targets—giving solicitors the freedom to focus on meaningful work and lasting partnerships.
People
Building Cultures Where People Belong and Perform
By Lisa LLoyd, Psychologist & Founder, It’s Time for Change
Breaking Free from the Snacking Trap: Practical Solutions for Mindful Eating...
Thanks to Becky Hodgson at Hall Training for this excellent article. B4 Members can also benefit from £25 off Hall’s 30 Day Accelerator – please contact Becky as per the e-mail at the bottom of this article.
Change is challenging
But there are ways of making it feel safer when you’re intentional about how you lead people through the process.
Sales & Marketing
Platinum Quarterly Speaker: Simon Lacey
Blenheim Palace plays host to the first B4 Platinum Quarterly on Wednesday 26th February when our guest speaker will be Simon Lacey.
B4 Welcomes MOTION3
Welcome to B4, Chris Smith and the team from MOTION3, a video agency near Oxford that specialises in creating high-impact visual content for businesses and organisations.
Really Connect with B4 at The Story Museum
Telling your business story is a powerful tool for building trust because it humanises your brand, creating a deeper connection with your audience. We regularly see businesses ‘storytelling’ on social media to great effect and it’s something we want to help our Members do on a more regular basis.
Property
Ad-hoc co-working space and meeting rooms now available at Witney Business...
Witney Business & Innovation Centre (WBIC) is pleased to be providing additional social workspaces to enhance its current business space offerings to meet the needs of the local start-ups and businesses, continuing the legacy of Windrush House being the ‘hub’ of the community.
Careys Construction Campus at Oxford North’s inaugural student cohort celebrates their...
The first students to take part in the pilot Careys Construction Campus at Oxford North, the free three-week training course for people aged 17 years and over, have graduated with flying colours.
Pioneering planning scheme shortlisted for economic growth award
An exciting planning project in the Vale of White Horse has been recognised by being shortlisted for an industry award.
Local Government
Exciting January Events for B4 Members: A Great Start to 2025
January 2025 promises an exhilarating line-up of events for B4 Members, offering opportunities to connect, celebrate, and be inspired. With three unique gatherings, B4 Members can look forward to forging meaningful connections, experiencing rich cultural traditions, and engaging with influential figures in the local community. Here’s a closer look at what’s in store:
OxLEP Skills: Opportunities for Oxfordshire Employers 2022-2023
If you were ever wondering what opportunities there were for Oxfordshire employers to engage with future generations, look no further.
Oxfordshire’s green champions unite to host inaugural OX to ZERO conference
OxLEP joined forces with the leading Oxfordshire voices of the University of Oxford, Harwell Campus and the Culham Science Centre-based UKAEA to host the first-ever OX to ZERO conference (1 September).
Strategy
Fostering a Workplace Culture with Claire Croft
B4 Members gathered at B4 HQ for a thought-provoking session with culture specialist and B4 Platinum Member, Claire Croft, exploring what it really takes to build a workplace where people and business deliver meaningful impact. From the outset, Claire reframed “culture” away from perks and gimmicks—“bean bags and beer fridges” don’t make a culture—and toward the everyday decisions, behaviours, and systems that shape how work gets done.
B4 Business Development Ecosystem — Session Summary
(B4 HQ · Led by Caroline O’Connor, Fourth Born)
B4 Welcomes Thinking in Fields
Thinking in Fields is a strategic advisory practice founded by David Finch, who brings over 30 years of experience helping businesses think clearly, act decisively, and grow with purpose.
Tech, IT & Comms
Discover How to Use AI Safely to Grow & Future-Proof Your...
One hundred local business leaders will gather on Friday 19th September 2025 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford for a high-impact networking breakfast and extended workshop designed to help SMEs harness the power of AI — safely, securely, and with immediate business benefit.
Tech & Innovation Ecosystem with Ebbon Group
B4 was delighted to host a recent Tech & Innovation Ecosystem roundtable with Craig Gibbin and Rob Pilkington, Joint CEOs of Ebbon Group. The session brought together 12 leaders to gain a deeper insight into how this pioneering Oxfordshire business is shaping the future of the global automotive industry.
Government champions green tech pioneers in visit to Milton Park
Milton Park welcomed Professor Paul Monks CB, the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and members of the DESNZ team for a tour and roundtable discussion. The visit showcased innovations in green technology taking place across Milton Park, the UK’s largest single-ownership science and innovation community, which is home to over 270 companies and 9,000 employees.
Web & Social
Indulge upgrade to Platinum Membership
Local digital agency Indulge have enjoyed a great first year back in the B4 community, so much so that director Paul Wood has upgraded to Platinum Membership. Here we find out more about Paul and Indulge.
How do I hire a web development agency?
It can be tough finding a good web development agency – mainly because there are so many agencies out there, and it can be hard to know which one is the right fit for your project.
How do I choose a good web design agency?
The first thing to appreciate when choosing a good design agency is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, so you’ll need to find an agency that can tailor its services to meet your unique requirements.
Responsible Business
Christmas Comes Early to The Randolph Hotel as Raise’25 Secures Major...
Christmas arrived early for guests at The Randolph Hotel, Oxford’s iconic five-star landmark, where festive décor, first-class food, and inspiring company set the scene for exciting news from Raise’25, Oxfordshire’s most collaborative charity initiative.
Charity Dinner in Support of the Silver Star Maternity Fund
Supporting Mothers & Babies in Oxfordshire
RAISE 25 – The Finale
RAISE’25 Charity Event hosted at Rhodes House – Book your place today & Golden Tickets are now available