OBS2026 Gold Sponsors’ Dinner Keble College, Oxford | Thursday 16 April 2026

On Thursday16 April 2026, senior business figures from across Oxfordshire will gather at Keble College for the OBS2026 Gold Sponsors’ Dinner — an evening designed to bring established leaders and emerging leaders into meaningful conversation.

Hosted in one of Oxford’s most iconic halls, this is not simply a formal dinner. It is the opening moment in the OBS2026 calendar where leadership is shared across generations — where those shaping decisions today sit alongside those who will carry them forward tomorrow.

Businesses are invited to attend in pairs: one current leader and one future leader from their organisation. Someone with the ambition, potential and responsibility to influence what comes next.

As Richard Rosser, CEO of B4, explains: “Leadership is not something that transfers automatically with a job title. It develops through exposure, responsibility and conversation. This dinner is about creating space for established leaders and emerging leaders to sit side by side — not just to network, but to think long term about the future they are shaping together.”

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Broadening the Leadership Lens

While the core purpose of the evening is to strengthen succession, collaboration and long-term thinking within our business community, the dinner carries a wider perspective.

The evening will also support Be Free Young Carers (BFYC) and Oxfordshire Youth
(OY), two charities dedicated to supporting young people who often carry
responsibilities or face challenges far beyond their years. Both organisations provide programmes, delivered by safe and trusted adults, that equip young people with the essential skills, connections, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Each charity will be gifted three places at the dinner, enabling selected young people
to attend as guests of Keble College and experience the event first-hand. In addition,
B4 will provide three tickets per charity to enable diverse young people from underserved communities to attend OBS2026 at Blenheim Palace in May, giving them access to one of Oxfordshire’s most significant business gatherings. 

Bronwyn Friedemann, Head of Sales at Keble College, comments: “Keble has always stood for education, access and the exchange of ideas. Hosting an evening that connects established business leaders, emerging talent and young people from across the county feels entirely aligned with our purpose. The setting is historic, but the focus is firmly on the future.”

For many, these will be environments they might never otherwise have the opportunity to experience, and will aim to raise aspirations, build networks, and inspire confidence in their future. We also recognise the value and power of diverse young people’s presence in the room for the business leaders in the space. For our future economy to be truly equitable, innovative, and diverse, we need everyone around the table, listening to, and learning from one another.

Sabiene North, CEO of Be Free Young Carers, reflects: “The young carers we support demonstrate extraordinary resilience, empathy and maturity every single day. What they often lack is visibility — the chance to see what leadership in business looks like and to imagine themselves in those spaces. Experiences like this can quietly but powerfully expand what feels possible.”

Emmy O’Shaughnessy, Director of Innovation & Growth and Deputy CEO of Oxfordshire Youth, adds: “We talk a great deal about skills and aspiration, but access matters just as much. When young people are welcomed into rooms where important conversations are happening, it signals belief. It tells them they belong in the future we’re building.”

The aim is not to shift the focus of the evening away from business leadership — but to gently remind us that potential does not always sit where we traditionally look for it. Some of the most capable future leaders in our county may not yet be in our organisations, our graduate schemes or our networks.

Sometimes, we simply need to widen the lens.

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An Evening Built on Quality Conversation

The dinner will bring together:

• Senior leaders from established and growing organisations
• Emerging leaders nominated for their potential
• Representatives and invited young guests connected to BFYC and OY
• Partners and Gold Sponsors of OBS2026

Seating will be thoughtfully curated to encourage intergenerational dialogue, cross-sector connection and long-term thinking.

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A Sustainable, Growing Vision

The long-term ambition for this dinner is to see it grow steadily in scale and influence — increasing the number of established leaders, emerging leaders and young people in the room year by year. Not as a one-off gesture, but as a sustained commitment to intergenerational leadership in Oxfordshire.

Richard Rosser adds: “If OBS2026 is about shaping the future of Oxfordshire’s economy, this dinner is where that future begins to take shape in human terms. Strong business communities are built when experience and ambition sit together — and when we recognise that future leaders are not always where we expect to find them.”

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Why It Matters

This evening represents:

• A direct investment in succession and leadership development
• Early engagement with the strategic themes of OBS2026
• Stronger cross-generational relationships across Oxfordshire
• Practical, visible support for young people locally
• A reminder that leadership becomes more achievable when it becomes visible

For some attendees, it will be a strategic business conversation.
For others, it may be the moment leadership starts to feel attainable.

If OBS2026 is about defining the next chapter for Oxfordshire’s business community, the Gold Sponsors’ Dinner is where that conversation begins — together.

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For more information and tickets please contact:

Richard Rosser
CEO, B4
richard@b4-business.com
www.b4-business.com

In partnership with Keble College, NX, Be Free Young Carers and Oxfordshire Youth.

Ticket Options

• £250+VAT per pair (current leader + future leader)
– Includes £50 charitable donation

• £150+VAT single ticket (limited availability)
– Includes £50 charitable donation

• £350+VAT per pair
– Includes £50 charitable donation plus an additional supported seat for a young person

About Keble College

Keble College is one of the University of Oxford’s largest colleges, known for its distinctive architecture and commitment to education, access and community engagement. Its historic halls provide an inspiring setting for events that bring people together to exchange ideas and shape the future.
www.keble.ox.ac.uk

About B4

B4 is one of Oxfordshire’s leading business networks, connecting senior leaders from established and growing organisations. Built on trust, quality and collaboration, B4 creates high-calibre events and long-term relationships that strengthen businesses and the wider regional economy.
www.b4-business.com

About NX

NX is an independent network for future leaders, founded by Edward Rosser. Membership is by nomination from current leaders who recognise leadership potential. NX provides curated events, inspiring experiences and peer connections to support the development of the next generation of business leaders. NX will be hosting a conference at Keble College in September as part of its annual calendar of events.

About OBS2026

The Oxfordshire Business Summit is B4’s flagship annual event, bringing together business, education, public sector and community leaders. Returning to Blenheim Palace in May 2026, OBS will explore leadership, innovation, skills and sustainable growth shaping Oxfordshire’s future.
www.oxfordshirebusinesssummit.com

About Oxfordshire Youth

Oxfordshire Youth transforms young people’s lives through high-quality youth work. From mental health support and crime prevention to skills development and safe housing, the charity helps young people build confidence, resilience and the connections they need to thrive.
www.oxfordshireyouth.org

About Be Free Young Carers

Be Free Young Carers is Oxfordshire’s only charity dedicated exclusively to supporting young carers aged 8–17. It provides emotional support, activities and advocacy, helping young carers balance responsibility with opportunity and ensuring their voices are heard.
www.befreeyc.org.uk