OBS2026 Gold Sponsors’ Dinner Keble College, Oxford | Thursday 16 April...
Where Today’s Leaders Meet Tomorrow’s
Business Services
The Oxford Trust’s 2025 impact review highlights support for 350 science...
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 appoints Michelle Webb as associate director of operations
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 takes new R&D lab space at the Wood Centre for...
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.
Finance & Insurance
Complete Support Services Becomes Ancora: A Human-First Anchor for Businesses Charting...
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.
Managing risk in a turbulent market – why trade credit insurance...
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.
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.
Latest
Freeths sets 2040 net zero pathway with release of first firm‑wide...
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 […]
Sustainability
When Growth Meets Nature: What the Nicholsons Impact Session Revealed
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?
Record recycling rates achieved by The M&M Group for fourth successive...
A leading waste management and environmental services group in Oxfordshire has announced record recycling rates across its services for a fourth successive year.
Oxford Wood Recycling join B4
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.
Latest Digest
Issue 61 – Henley Festival
Issue 61, featuring B4 members.
Conference & Events
Five gatherings, one shared ambition: B4 is building a stronger, more...
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.
PEOPLE Ecosystem Roundtable Discussion at B4 HQ
Join B4 and our members for a People Ecosystem Roundtable discussion hosted by Andy Caldicott, Arvra
B4 Mid-Summer Platinum Dinner in The Yurt at Nicholsons
B4 Members are invited to join us for a mid-summer’s dinner in The Yurt at Nicholsons, a beautiful setting for a relaxed dinner.
Professional Services
TalkTalk Business expands managed services portfolio with addition of Planet IT
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.
James Cowper Kreston Join B4 as Platinum Members
B4 is delighted to announce that James Cowper Kreston, one of Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers, has joined the B4 network as a Platinum Member.
Freeths Spotlight: A Young Apprentice’s Path to a Career in Law
Freeths has been working with an outstanding legal apprentice who has shared her story about carving out a successful career in law via the apprenticeship route. She’s currently part of the team at Freeths in Oxford, and her experience offers a really strong example of the opportunities apprenticeships can provide in the legal sector.
People
Keble College renews Platinum Membership with B4
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.
Local MP Charlie Maynard visits Abingdon & Witney College’s Witney campus
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.
Newrotex takes new R&D lab space at the Wood Centre for...
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.
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
East Oxford Community Centre ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates completion of the...
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.
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.
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
Five gatherings, one shared ambition: B4 is building a stronger, more...
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.
B4 Business Development Ecosystem – Strategic Focus on Winning the Right...
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.
Welcome to B4: Paul Horseman, Oxfordshire’s Only Professional EOS Implementer®
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.
Tech, IT & Comms
Welcome to B4: XIST2
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.
Impact Session with Oxford Brookes University: AI, Data & Cyber Trends...
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.
Inclusivity in youth rugby: Darren Rea is honoured at UK Coaching...
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).
Web & Social
Welcome to B4: XIST2
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.
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.
Responsible Business
Building Better Businesses: How Values, Culture and Purpose Shape Positive Impact
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.
Oxfordshire Adventurers Challenged to Race Across the County for Local Homelessness...
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.
Oxford Wood Recycling join B4
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.