Oxford & Oxfordshire World Class & Connected
Oxford and Oxfordshire were top of the 2017 Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities index and the 2018 Arcadis ‘Investing in Britain’ report names Oxford as the 2nd best city in the UK for Growth Potential. As Oxfordshire’s leading business networking community, B4 aims to play a key role in this growth.
We’re working towards building B4 as the platform for business to business communications and profile raising in Oxfordshire and by co-ordinating through B4, we not only believe that Oxfordshire has a bright future, but that we can show the rest of the world that businesses in Oxfordshire are united in their vision to be ‘World Class & Connected’.
At BIO2018 on 23rd May, we launched “Oxford & Oxfordshire – World Class & Connected”, a promotional video supported by a promotional brochure designed to get our message across ‘support B4 and Oxfordshire’s growth’. We want to demonstrate not only the diversity of organisations committed to B4 but also the extent of their commitment and how this joined up approach to doing business in our county is helping to drive growth for the future.
The B4 community is growing and below we include some messages of support for our initiative to get Oxfordshire’s business community connected. Would you like to be involved?
If you would like to receive a copy of our report or join the B4 community, please call the team on 01865 742211 and we will be pleased to send you a link to the report and / or discuss B4 with you.
“Owen Mumford has been based in Woodstock since our inception more than 65 years ago and we are proud to be a part of a business community which is known for being a centre of world leading innovation and knowledge.
“As a medical device manufacturer we benefit from access to a highly skilled workforce and the university connection which drives research excellence, particularly in science and technology.
“We recognise the benefits of a collaborative approach to boost investor confidence and to develop an infrastructure that will drive further growth. Therefore Owen Mumford supports B4’s ‘World Class & Connected’ initiative which will benefit businesses of all sizes across the county.” Jarl Severn, Managing Director, Owen Mumford
“The next decade will undoubtedly see greater changes to the landscape of the Oxfordshire business community than at any time in its history. The opportunities available and the appetite to realise them among the various stakeholders mean that it could be a transformational few years. It’s vital therefore that the business community work together to ensure that the challenges we face will be met so that the huge potential benefits can be delivered to Oxfordshire. The B4 World Class and Connected initiative can be a key component of this drive and we look forward to supporting them in the coming years.” David Tighe, Corporate Partner, Penningtons Manches
”Great county, connectivity and access to brilliant businesses and people. Surrounded by some stunning countryside and living with a pulse for growth. “Supporting the “World Class & Connected” Initiative simply makes good business sense, why wouldn’t you support it and stand next to the other amazing businesses in the county?” Cath Convery, Learning and Development, Explosive Learning Solutions Ltd
“With a world-leading University and global brand, Oxfordshire is ideal for business success. Here, cutting edge innovation thrives beside heritage and tourism. Culturally and geographically Oxfordshire is an outstanding region for high-tech companies, as well as those in retail, services, industry, and leisure.
“Oxfordshire is profitable. Employment is among the UK’s highest GVA per capita, and business support is strong. Living costs reflect the extensive benefits of this potent region.
“B4 is a visionary driver of the essential connectivity that makes Oxfordshire a highly successful and enjoyable community of business leaders and professionals who can act locally and think globally. Oxford University backs the World Class & Connected initiative” Matthew Smart, University of Oxford
“As an OxLEP non-exec board member and a partner in a local Oxford business, I see connecting businesses in Oxfordshire as an essential part of designing the right blueprint for Oxfordshire’s businesses for the future, not just for today. We need the right local skills, education and training, housing and transport, as well as the right environment (such as the niche clusters situated in science parks) to be fit for the future. OxLEP engages with local and central government as well as departmental agencies and can give these concerns a real voice that can make a difference.
“Businesses need to engage with each other and the OxLEP for that to work. The Ox-Cam plans, being encouraged by central government, will make Oxford even more important to businesses at all intersections of that corridor, as well as encouraging Oxford’s global reputation as a scientific and educational powerhouse.” Penny Rinta-Suksi, Partner, For and on behalf of Blake Morgan LLP
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