B4Daily news and press releases from members, guest writers and the B4 team.
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.
By sharing your business story thoughtfully, you show potential customers that you’re not just another company trying to sell something, but a trusted partner with a history and purpose. In a world of ‘fake news’ and scams, it’s important for every business to demonstrate its authenticity.
Deeper business connections offer a range of significant benefits that can contribute to long-term success. Developing deeper connections in business is not just about transactional benefits but about creating a network of support that nurtures growth, collaboration, and resilience. At B4, we help businesses make connections and build relationships. Some of our Members have been with us for well over 15 years as being part of a trusted community of people and organisations that understand the value of trust is a crucial part of their network building strategy.
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:
The UK housing market is poised to face a confluence of challenges and opportunities in 2025. As highlighted by James Sproule, UK Chief Economist at Handelsbanken, several key factors—wealth, supply and demand, affordability, and investment yield—are instrumental in shaping house prices. These dynamics, coupled with broader economic trends, will influence how the housing market evolves in the coming year.
Unipart company Park Signalling has kicked off 2025 with a significant achievement in the rail industry, securing a £3m contract with Network Rail. This major milestone reinforces Unipart’s reputation as a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions and its commitment to advancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the UK’s rail network.
Helen Fallon, the dynamic Managing Director of Global CTS Ltd, is a cornerstone of the B4 community, bringing unparalleled expertise and infectious enthusiasm to every endeavour. With over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Helen’s approach combines practicality, innovation, and sincerity—qualities that have earned her widespread respect among her peers and clients alike. It’s also gained her a unique accolade being named the first Raise Founding Partner – see more below.
The UK government bond market is once again making headlines as yields on longer-term debt surge to levels not seen in decades. This latest development has raised concerns among investors and policymakers, presenting significant challenges for the government’s fiscal plans.
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy and automation digital solutions, has announced the appointment of Chris Leong as its new Chief Sustainability Officer. This strategic move underscores Schneider Electric’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in driving energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
Looking for a way to start the new year by making meaningful connections and gaining fresh insights? The B4 Members Lunch at Brasserie Blanc this January offers the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and be inspired—all in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Oxford North, the new £700 million innovation district in Oxford, has appointed Dr Elodie Siney as its new operations manager as part of the continued strategy to build the on-site management and facilities team ahead of opening in mid-2025.
Boostworks, a leading provider of employee reward and recognition, benefits delivery and wellbeing solutions, today announced that it has been selected as the benefits provider for iON Ambulance Care, trading as Tricorder Care. With over 180 dedicated professionals working across its five sites, iON ‘s goal is to significantly enhance employee engagement and retention by implementing a comprehensive benefits platform tailored to the unique needs of its frontline workforce.
At Keble College on Friday 13th December, one hundred representatives of Oxfordshire’s business and charitable communities came together to celebrate months of incredible fundraising efforts and as they all stood at the threshold of the hugely impressive Great Hall, they had already raised well over £20,000. That total has now soared to £37,500 thanks to the generosity of well over 500 donors and the hard work of 33 fundraisers.
Poorly paid roles need different ways of motivating people to care about the service they provide. That was one of the conclusions arising from the recent B4 People Ecosystem problem-solving session.
The Oxford Trust, an independent charitable trust established by the late Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood co-founders of Oxford Instruments, has agreed a 10-year lease for Blue Boar Court in Oxford’s city centre to house its Oxford Centre for Innovation to support the growth and development of local science and tech start-ups.