Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire urges local businesses to continue collaborating 

B4’s CEO, Richard Rosser, opened the evening by thanking Blenheim’s Chief Executive, Dominic Hare, and his team for once again welcoming the B4 community to Blenheim and underlined the huge role they play in B4’s ability to connect the business community. “We are forever indebted to Blenheim for the support they offer to B4 and our members in so many ways, not least in May next year when this incredible venue will host the first Oxfordshire Business Summit, an exciting new event for Oxfordshire’s business leaders to spend a day discussing some of the key issues which, quite frankly, keep them up at night.”

The focus of the evening, however, was the support the business community can and are providing to local charities who all perform such an amazing role in helping all of us, at some point in our lives, cope with a myriad of challenges that we experience in our lifetime. Richard proceeded to reference Raise’24 as an event which is aiming to raise much needed funds for ten local charities this year. “The charities support local people with issues as diverse as mental health for young people, genetic health conditions, homelessness, sexual abuse, unemployment, cancer support, loneliness and isolation, and palliative care. Between them they support people of many ages and backgrounds to have better lives, from cradle to grave.”

Zoe Sprigings, CEO of OCF, one of the beneficiary charities of Raise’24, was then invited to talk about the positive impact that Raise’24 is already having on OCF and the wider community. “We are delighted to be part of Raise’24 and can’t wait to see how this special fundraising initiative grows in future years. Raise is such a valuable way for businesses to collectively support the social entrepreneurship shown by charities and support their local community.”

As Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Glasgow, who was appointed on 1 October 2021, leads a team of 40 exceptional Deputy Lieutenants to connect across Oxfordshire and support HM The King’s primary interests of Community, Climate, Culture, and the Commonwealth. The Lord-Lieutenant is an important non-political representative of the county, helping to encourage and promote the good of the community through the voluntary and civic life of the county. It is an honorary appointment.

It was The Lord-Lieutenant’s focus on community, as she stepped forward to address the fifty strong group of businesses, which resonated with everyone present.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be here at Blenheim Palace this evening and to connect with so many fantastic businesses that are part of the incredibly impressive B4 community. My key message to all of you is to keep connecting, keep collaborating and growing your businesses in this vibrant and amazing county in which we are all so fortunate to live and work. As Lord-Lieutenant, and President of the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, I have the privilege of seeing at first-hand the many effective charities in the county who are doing such crucial work, supporting the most vulnerable in our society. I strongly believe that businesses in Oxfordshire are key players in their local community and in the county as a whole – and that by investing in local people we also reap the rewards of a better workforce, a larger customer base, and greater partnership with local stakeholders. Tonight we are talking about philanthropic investment, as many of you are doing through Raise’24 and other fundraising initiatives, giving money to the charities who bring their own entrepreneurial approach to solving social problems which affect us all, in one way or another.” 

It was a speech which had a profound impact on the guests in attendance, not least because of the impressive number of voluntary leadership roles The Lord-Lieutenant has taken on in Oxfordshire, notably leading her town’s efforts to develop a new £2.5m community centre to create a new library, sports hall, café and community space which opened in 2017. In recognition of this work and other community services, Mrs Glasgow was awarded the British Empire Medal by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2019 New Years Honours List.

Guests also heard about Ridge Clean Energy, Marjorie’s Oxfordshire-based clean energy company, which develops private/public partnerships that combine renewable energy projects and community hubs. Ridge also undertakes key environmental work for the restoration of peatlands across the UK.

The party, led by the Lord-Lieutenant, made its way from the magnificent Long Library to the Saloon, posing for a group photograph en route. As guests entered the Saloon they were greeted by stunning centrepieces created by B4’s Event Manager, Tina Rosser, which continued the Halloween theme that has prevailed throughout the five Platinum dinners at Blenheim. Giant witches towered over guests as they enjoyed a fabulous three course meal courtesy of Jack Butler, Head of Catering and Operations, and his team including Barney, Mark and Aiden plus a fantastic support staff in the kitchen and front of house. Thank you also to Emma Rogers, Julian, Jessica and the rest of the team who were working so hard to ensure the event was a huge success and to Tina for organising on behalf of the B4 community.

B4 would also like to thank everyone in attendance that purchased a Raise’24 Golden Ticket which will ensure almost twenty staff from the charities that are part of Raise’24 will be able to enjoy the event on December 13^th thanks to their generosity. Guests who purchased tickets were rewarded with incredible prizes donated by Kirsty Colquhoun at Blenheim Palace, Phil Lewis at The Randolph, Bronwyn Friedemann at Keble College, Gavin Webster at The Holiday Inn, Justin Merritt from Ignite Training, Lousie Merritt from Oxford City Football Club, Henry Day of Firco Group, Phil Lawrie of Silverstone Museum, Christina Irons of Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and Simon Badgery of Ettington Park Hotel. Thank you, finally, to AJ from Studio 8 and Clark Wiseman for incredible photos.

About Raise’24

Raise’24 exists to unite leading Oxfordshire businesses with leading Oxfordshire charities to achieve incredible social impact.

Raise’24 is a brand new annual event, inspiring Oxfordshire businesses to take bolder action to help build a fairer, safer and happier Oxfordshire for all. 

To find out more about getting involved, sponsoring or donating towards Raise’24, please visit www.raise4charity.co.uk.

About Oxfordshire Community Foundation

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is a charity that builds thriving communities through effective philanthropy. Our values are the guiding principles which represent who we are and what we stand for. They stand alongside our vision, mission and objectives to support our goal to be the gold-standard in grant-making.

Our county’s wealth, success and beauty hide a number of serious and shocking social problems. The pandemic and the current huge increases in the cost of living have made these issues worse, while the climate crisis is becoming ever more urgent.

See more at www.oxfordshire.org

About The Oxfordshire Business Summit, May 14^th, 2025 at Blenheim Palace

This is an opportunity for Oxfordshire’s business leaders to come together for a day of talks covering some of the key challenges to all of our businesses, to establish relationships between the business community and local government and to work towards a common understanding of the economic and political landscape.

This will be a full day of presentations, roundtables and talks including breakfast through to evening drinks. Please note this is a full day commitment. To find out more about the event, including sponsorship, tickets and speaking opportunities, please contact Richard Rosser at richard@b4-business.com.

Guest quotes from the evening:

“Thank you to both you and Tina for a wonderful dinner at Blenheim yesterday. You certainly know how to put on an event!”

Sarah Jaycock, Executive Director, High Spec Composites

“Thank you Richard Rosser and Tina Rosser at B4, for a superb Platinum dinner last night at Oxfordshire’s iconic Blenheim Palace.”

“An interesting talk by His Majesty the Kings Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, on the key role Oxford businesses play in supporting local charities and the community. This was followed by an amazing dinner in the magnificent Saloon.”

Farah Nazir-Champan, Head of Business Strategy, Loqex

“Last night, we had such a great evening attending the B4 Platinum Dinner at Blenheim Palace in the Saloon. What a fantastic venue for the B4 community.

“The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire and Marjorie Glasgow BEM gave a brilliant speech on the importance of local businesses supporting local charities. Thank you.

“Huge thanks to Richard Rosser and to Tina Rosser for organising such a superb event.”

Dale Harris, Director of Sales and Business Development, Blue Blood

“I seem to have spent a lot of time eating drinking and chatting with lovely people at Blenheim Palace this week…., thank you B4 and the brilliant community of Members.”

Penny Rinta-Suksi, Commercial Partner, Blake Morgan

“Fantastic evening last night – really good table and awesome setting. Congrats and thanks to you and Tina for another success!”

Phil Lawrie, Chief Executive, Silverstone Museum

“Thanks very much for last night……. Brilliant as always.”

Gavin Webster, General Manager, The Holiday Inn, Oxford

“Thank you so much for a wonderful event last night—it was truly stunning! Tina, your centrepieces were amazing!”

Victoria Volonte, Sales Manager, The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels

“Thanks for tonight’s event both, a very enjoyable evening.”

Jason McGuigan, Regional Director, Wren Sterling

“A fantastic evening spent with great people from local Oxfordshire businesses at the B4 Platinum dinner at Blenheim Palace in the saloon yesterday evening! An amazing setting and surreal experience, so used to visiting the palace with my children.

“Really good to hear from the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM about her role, philanthropy and the importance of support from local businesses to local charities!

“A big thank you to Richard Rosser and Tina Rosser for organising a fantastic event. A great evening was had representing Storm Internet Ltd.”

Michael Duerden, Senior Account Executive, Storm Internet

“Stunning evening at the B4 Platinum Dinner in The Saloon at my favourite location Blenheim Palace.
Thankyou to Richard Rosser and Tina Rosser for organising such a gorgeous event.”

Keeley Dennyschene, Cluster Director of Sales, Hilton Garden Inn, Abingdon