Oxford Brookes helping to train the next generation of football coaches...
Oxford Brookes University is helping to inspire the next generation of football coaches by offering a coaching workshop at a youth volunteering event.
Business Services
Super-Deduction Tax Breaks on Office Furniture – What Is It and...
As businesses migrate back into their offices, the UK government is working to make this shift more appealing. New super-deduction tax relief was introduced last year to encourage businesses to invest in productivity-enhancing plant and machinery assets to promote growth and development, helping to make offices more appealing and comfortable places to work. Plant and […]
Tracker data reveals over 30 ‘Chop Shops’ have been uncovered in...
LONDON – January 26, 2023 – In joint operations, Tracker Network (UK) and the UK police force uncovered 32 illegal chop shops during 2022 – over a 300% increase on the number of chop shop closures recorded by Tracker since 2021. Alongside vehicles recovered that were fitted with Tracker units, it has helped return 100’s […]
Don’t take short-cuts on commercial EV fit-outs
Planning and staff engagement helps maximise return for commercial fleets choosing electric, says Venson In 2022 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) comprised 16.6% of all new vehicle registrations, surpassing diesel for the first time to become the second most popular powertrain after petrol*. Whilst it’s clear that increasing numbers of fleet operators are making the switch […]
Finance & Insurance
The number of small business owners who took insurance to guard...
Applications for personal guarantee insurance up 106% in Q4 2022 and 145% for 2022 on 2021 Working capital top reason for new funding, applications up 144% in 2022 on 2021 Huge 181% rise in applications for cover on loans £25-£50k year on year January 2023: Personal guarantee insurance (PGI), a product used by small business […]
Grant Thornton bolsters Private Tax team with Director appointment
Leading business and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP have announced the promotion of Rachel Stace to Director of Private Tax. Rachel joined Grant Thornton 10 years ago as an executive and will now take a leading role in growing the GrantThornton Private team’s strong national network of advisors, based in the Oxford office […]
Research and Development Specialists Ramps Up Expansion with New Birmingham Office
Research and Development Specialists Ltd, (www.randdspecialists.co.uk) expands into Birmingham, with a new office to open at Birmingham Business Park, Solihull Parkway at the beginning of 2023. The Greater-Manchester headquartered company, which has offices in Altrincham and Nottingham, is looking to expand into the West Midlands where, according to Government statistics, 4.3% of UK businesses are […]
Latest
Rising cost of fleet operations gives cause for re-evaluation, says Venson
TIME TO GO TO TENDERwww.venson.com It’s not just a cost-of-living crisis that is giving cause for financial reassessment, the rising cost of fleet management is forcing many businesses to reassess partnerships and service provider relationships. After salaries, fleets can represent one of the biggest operational costs for a business, so careful selection of outsourced expertise […]
Sustainability
Oxford Brookes University shows sustainability credentials with rise in People &...
Oxford Brookes University has moved up 35 places in the annual People & Planet University League, which ranks UK universities on their environmental and ethical performance.
Data-driven energy saving at NHS Supply Chain Maidstone
Energy efficiency in the NHS Supply Chain is not only beneficial for the environment but essential to operational delivery.
Local Farmers Join Forces with our Estate
The North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster to Help Reduce Flooding and Boost Biodiversity at a Scale Never Seen Before
Latest Digest
Conference & Events
March B4 Members Breakfast at Hawkwell House Hotel
March B4 Members Breakfast at Hawkwell House Hotel
B4 Platinum Lunch at Silverstone
Join us at the home of British Racing for this exciting half day B4 Platinum Lunch Experience.
B4 Seminar by 4Thought Coaching on mental wellbeing at work
B4 Seminar by 4Thought Coaching on `Handling difficult conversations; how they impact on mental wellbeing at work’
Professional Services
Accountants ensure tax doesn’t have to be taxing
Advisers at accountancy firm Whitley Stimpson are urging thousands of people struggling with tax queries to seek professional advice.
PENNINGTONS MANCHES COOPER ADVISES LEADING PROVIDER OF TESTING, CONSULTING, INFORMATION, AND...
The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, on its acquisition of ResChem Analytical Limited.
PENNINGTONS MANCHES COOPER ADVISES SOURCE HEALTH ECONOMICS ON ITS SALE TO...
The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised Source Health Economics, an agency specialising in health economics and outcomes research, on its sale to SCIRIS.
People
Science and tech businesses invited to public outreach event.
Businesses, university departments and research groups will once again gather in the unique setting of Abingdon’s historic Market Place for the ATOM Festival “Science Market” on 11th March.
Why I Champion Conscious Empathic Leadership
My title could have read Why I Champion Conscious Empathic Leadership In Men, to emphasise the extra importance of men having to work more consciously at displaying empathic behaviours in their leadership, but that feels just as sexist as saying that female leaders need to ‘man up’! Traditional ‘male’ characteristics like decisive, powerful, authoritarian and […]
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
“Organisational pressures are set to rise in 2023 (and beyond). The employment relationship is undergoing the greatest transformation it has seen for decades.” – Jonna Mundy
Sales & Marketing
Let’s talk turkey!
Hot off the press – some topical food for thought with a distinctly seasonal flavour and certainly something for businesses to chew over and digest to ensure that they keep abreast of the latest thinking in branding and have a tried and tested recipe for success that isn’t bland for the new year ahead.
By PHIL STRACHAN – The Think Brand not bland Guy
Strategic Marketing Campaigns Commissioned – to support Oxfordshire’s visitor economy –...
A series of targeted marketing campaigns to promote Oxford and Oxfordshire have been commissioned with both Experience Oxfordshire and Cotswolds Tourism securing contracts to deliver the nine campaigns.
Do web agencies use WordPress?
Why agencies back WordPress as a CMS
Property
Doctors team up to share homely location at Howbery Business Park
The tranquillity and homely feel of Howbery Business Park are proving ideal for Dr Mandy Smiton and Dr Cassie Coleman, as they settle into new premises in The Cottage. Community Paediatrician Dr Cassie and Clinical Psychologist Dr Mandy chose to move their practises to Howbery Park when their previous premises in Wallingford changed use. Sharing […]
Propertynest Spreads Christmas Cheer with Community Gift Donations
The award-winning estate agency Propertynest headquartered in Leeds, is helping to spread Christmas cheer this year by giving donations of toys and gifts to the community support charity St Vincent’s. This is the third year that the Propertynest team has called on clients, contractors, friends and family to collect toys for families that struggle at […]
Propertynest Expands into Yateley
The award-winning estate agency Propertynest is expanding into Yateley as experienced agent Mark Holloway now joins the growing team. Propertynest’s Elmbridge agent Doug Parks set up his branch of the franchised agency, in Surrey in the summer of 2020 and since then, the business has gone from strength to strength. He explains: “Welcoming Mark is […]
Local Government
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).
‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire..’ Case Study: Ducky Zebra, the sustainable kidswear brand...
‘Often girls’ clothes are pink, cute and impractical. They promote kindness, but not always confidence. And boys’ clothes are often blue, aggressive and adventure seeking. They promote confidence, but not always kindness. I wanted to bring these two characteristics together and allow all children, no matter what their gender, to celebrate both kindness and confidence.’ – Sally Dear, Founder of Ducky Zebra
Strategy
BDM Ecosystem Roundtable
Join B4 for a Business Development Managers Roundtable discussion hosted at B4 HQ.
Why questions are the answer to navigating business turbulence
Whether it is developing a robust strategy, crafting an effective tactical plan or delivering operational excellence, as a business leader, stakeholders expect you to have the answers. But what if your answers are solutions to the wrong problem because the problem is not what you think it is?
‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire..’ Case Study: Ducky Zebra, the sustainable kidswear brand...
‘Often girls’ clothes are pink, cute and impractical. They promote kindness, but not always confidence. And boys’ clothes are often blue, aggressive and adventure seeking. They promote confidence, but not always kindness. I wanted to bring these two characteristics together and allow all children, no matter what their gender, to celebrate both kindness and confidence.’ – Sally Dear, Founder of Ducky Zebra
Tech, IT & Comms
Samsara Therapeutics expands into new R&D lab space at the Wood...
Biotech start-up Samsara Therapeutics, an early-stage drug discovery company, has expanded into a further 1,000 sq ft of R&D lab space at The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford’s Health and Life Sciences District to accommodate company growth.
YASA secures new facility at Catalyst Bicester
YASA, the pioneering electric vehicle motor manufacturer, has taken the last available unit in phase 1 of Catalyst Bicester, the new advanced manufacturing and technology business community in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
JUGGLING AN SME BUSINESS 
We all know the last (yes, it is almost) three years have been challenging, difficult and testing but for Chris Pallett, Managing Director of Bespoke based in Telford, it’s been a ride full of more than its fair share of ups and downs. B4’s Richard Rosser interviewed a refreshingly open and upbeat business owner who thrives on helping others in need.
Web & Social
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.
Overview of Digital Services Tax (DST)
The UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST) came into operation on 1 April 2020. This tax is designed to ensure that the major social media, search engine and online retailers are subject to a 2% tax on revenues generated from the participation of UK users of their services.
Responsible Business
RINGANA unveils its beauty trends: The 5 active ingredients that are...
RINGANA unveils its beauty trends: The 5 active ingredients that are trending in 2023 Let’s start the year by discovering the best tips and tricks to take care of your skin and body and to shine with products from the FRESH range by RINGANA. For this, the vegan and natural cosmetics brand is highlighting 5 […]
Peace On Your Plate release new charity Christmas No.1 attempt featuring...
Peace On Your Plate release new charity Christmas No.1 attempt featuring a global orchestra & choir for Peace & Unity. I Am One With You is the new single from musical collective Peace On Your Plate, released on 16 Dec 2022. Having reached No.5 in the Amazon Download chart in their last attempt at Christmas […]
ARRAN Sense of Scotland Announces Partnership with the Arran Trust
One of Scotland’s best-loved personal care and wellbeing brands, ARRAN Sense of Scotland (formerly Arran Aromatics), has announced a new partnership with the Arran Trust. ARRAN recently launched its new Naturals Collection, an environmentally conscious range with wellbeing at its heart, and will be donating 5% of all ARRAN Naturals sales from their Home Farm […]