B4
Oxfordshire’s business community gathered in the Great Hall at Keble College for the OBS2026 Gold Sponsors’ Dinner — an evening that set the tone for this year’s Oxfordshire Business Summit (OBS2026) at Blenheim Palace this May.
Oxfordshire Cricket has officially launched its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan at the prestigious St Edward’s School, marking a major milestone in shaping the future of cricket across the county. The event was brought to life via video by BBC Test Match Special broadcaster Henry Moeran, who guided guests through the strategy’s vision, priorities, and human impact.
As we wrap up 2025, it’s a good moment to pause and reflect on what’s been an eventful year for Oxfordshire and to look ahead at what’s on the horizon for 2026.
The Oxford Trust has published its 2025 Impact Review which marked its 40th anniversary year with strong results across both its innovation centres and its Science Oxford STEM education and engagement programmes.
The Oxford Trust, the UK charity dedicated to advancing science innovation, education and enterprise, has appointed Michelle Webb as its new associate director of operations to support operational leadership and delivery across the organisation’s innovation programme and two Oxford innovation centres.
Newrotex, a clinical-stage biotech start-up developing innovative silk-based medical devices for nerve repair, has taken 1,680 sq ft (156 sq m) of manufacturing and R&D laboratory and office space at The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford, as it enters a critical phase of clinical and operational scale-up.
In a climate where economic volatility is testing even the most resilient companies, having the right financial expertise is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Recognising this reality, Complete Support Services has rebranded as Ancora, unveiling a new name, look, and vision that
captures its role as the anchor helping ambitious businesses steady, adapt, and grow in uncertain times.
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, yet in today’s volatile economy, maintaining it is challenging. A robust risk management strategy that includes trade credit insurance can provide a vital safety net when customers or suppliers fail to pay.
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.
As the CEO, Director and one of the Co-Founders of Oxygen, Suzie Mills brings over 20 years of marketing expertise, combining a passion for purpose with a proven track record of creating impactful brand stories.
The recent Nicholsons OBS Impact Session explored a question Oxfordshire cannot avoid: How do we grow at scale without weakening the systems that make growth possible?
A leading waste management and environmental services group in Oxfordshire has announced record recycling rates across its services for a fourth successive year.
An award-winning social enterprise and charity, Oxford Wood Recycling (OWR) combines environmental responsibility with social impact. Operating across Oxfordshire, OWR provides commercial and domestic wood-waste collections, maximising recycling and reclaiming wood for reuse.
Issue 61, featuring B4 members.
Join B4 and our members for a People Ecosystem Roundtable discussion hosted by Claire Croft, Claire Croft Associates.
Join Marnie Wills, Ai Leaders in Business for our 1st AI Ecosystem Roundtable at B4.
Across a series of gatherings, a consistent theme has continued to emerge — the power of purposeful collaboration. From strategic discussions on the future of Oxfordshire to shared experiences across our network, each event reinforced the importance of bringing people together to learn, challenge and support one another.
Mills & Reeve has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Ox Tech Week, taking place from 26 to 29 May, supporting a landmark event that will shine a spotlight on Oxford’s world leading innovation ecosystem.
Leading law firm Freeths has just published its first Net Zero Transition Plan, marking a major step forward in the firm’s long-term commitment to responsible business. The plan sets out a clear, science-aligned pathway to achieving net zero across the value chain by 2040, underpinned by newly validated near and long-term targets from the Science […]
Leading law firm Freeths has advised the selling shareholders of Planet IT on the sale of the business to TalkTalk Business, supporting TalkTalk Business’s expansion of its managed services portfolio.
I’m a leadership coach, consultant and facilitator, working with organisations to build more resilient, confident and human-centred leaders.
Keble College has renewed its Platinum Membership with B4, reaffirming its commitment to supporting and engaging with Oxfordshire’s dynamic business community. As a long-standing and highly valued partner, Keble continues to play an important role in bringing together business leaders through exceptional events hosted in its iconic setting.
Abingdon & Witney College welcomed local MP Charlie Maynard to its Witney campus on 27th March, where he met with Principal and Chief Executive Jacqui Canton and Deputy Principal Jo Milsom, and toured a number of teaching areas. The visit formed part of ongoing discussions about skills, education, and the needs of young people and employers across West Oxfordshire.
Blenheim Palace plays host to the first B4 Platinum Quarterly on Wednesday 26th February when our guest speaker will be Simon Lacey.
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.
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.
The full redevelopment of East Oxford Community Centre is now complete. This marks the return of a beloved local community venue, boasting additional and more functional community space, a contemporary new look, and lower running costs for the Oxford City Council.
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.
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.
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:
If you were ever wondering what opportunities there were for Oxfordshire employers to engage with future generations, look no further.
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).
Across a series of gatherings, a consistent theme has continued to emerge — the power of purposeful collaboration. From strategic discussions on the future of Oxfordshire to shared experiences across our network, each event reinforced the importance of bringing people together to learn, challenge and support one another.
Our recent Business Development Ecosystem, facilitated by the excellent Caroline O’Connor of Fourth Born, brought together business owners and senior business development professionals from sectors including construction, professional services, charities and technology.
We’re delighted to welcome Paul Horseman, Oxfordshire’s only Professional EOS Implementer®, to the B4 Community. Paul is one of just 850 certified EOS Implementers® worldwide — an exclusive group helping business leaders build stronger, more focused, and more successful organisations.
We’re delighted to announce that XIST2 have joined the B4 community.
XIST2 is an Oxfordshire-based digital marketing and web design agency, established in 2005, specialising in bespoke WordPress development, SEO, branding, and graphic design.
Business leaders from across Oxfordshire gathered for the first OBS2026 Impact Session series, delivered in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, to explore the AI, data and cyber trends that will shape 2026 and beyond.
Last week at the UK Coaching Awards in Leeds, our colleague, Darren Rea was recognised for his inspirational work coaching young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
We’re delighted to announce that XIST2 have joined the B4 community.
XIST2 is an Oxfordshire-based digital marketing and web design agency, established in 2005, specialising in bespoke WordPress development, SEO, branding, and graphic design.
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.
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.
Hosted by Better Business Ecosystem lead Grant Hayward, B4 Members gathered to explore what it truly means to run a “better business” — one that creates meaningful impact for employees, customers, communities and the wider world. The discussion examined how organisational values, mission-driven thinking and workplace culture shape the way businesses operate and grow. Please see link at the foot of the article to a report from new B4 Members, Designed by Oxygen, which was referenced by Suzie Mills during the session.
OXFORD, UK – Inspired by the hit BBC TV series Race Across the World, Homeless Oxfordshire is searching for 20 intrepid teams to take part in its brand-new fundraising challenge: Race Across Oxfordshire.
An award-winning social enterprise and charity, Oxford Wood Recycling (OWR) combines environmental responsibility with social impact. Operating across Oxfordshire, OWR provides commercial and domestic wood-waste collections, maximising recycling and reclaiming wood for reuse.