Enterprise Oxfordshire may have seen a recent trading name change (formerly OxLEP), yet we continue to uphold the same progressive legacy and goals; helping businesses thrive. Our mission remains the same: to support and empower the businesses and communities of Oxfordshire.
This article delves into the behind-the-scenes efforts that have driven our achievements, highlighting the success stories that exhibit the impact of our work. We will explore the significant strides made in supporting businesses, enhancing local infrastructure, and fostering community growth. People, businesses, places.
People
We have taken strides in addressing the challenges faced in the local labour market, which is traditionally tight and rapidly changing due to economic shifts. The 2024 Careers Fest saw attendance from over 3,500 young people, underscoring the importance of career education and opportunities. Our Oxfordshire Careers Hub team has been instrumental in supporting senior leadership teams in local schools to develop gold standard careers education. This initiative ensures that students receive the best possible guidance and support as they prepare for their future careers.
In addition to educational support, we have optimised over £3.6 million of unused Apprenticeship Levy in the region, ensuring new apprenticeship starts were made available to key sectors and those needing support. A notable success story is Josh who benefitted from our apprenticeship support. Josh didn’t thrive in a traditional school atmosphere but excelled in his apprenticeship. His journey from a shy young man to a successful teaching assistant highlights the benefits of the apprenticeship route for him.
The No Limits programme has also made a significant impact, helping over 600 local people towards employment, training, and education by building relationships and trust within the community. This programme has expanded into rural areas of the county, providing substantial support to individuals with CV preparation, work experience, and employment opportunities.
Our efforts in these areas demonstrate our commitment to fostering a robust and dynamic labour market in Oxfordshire. By addressing the challenges faced by both young people and those seeking employment, we are ensuring that the region remains a vibrant and supportive environment for career development and growth.
Business
In the 2023-2024 period, we supported over 2,000 businesses, helped create 1,000 jobs, and safeguarded 1,200 jobs. We have helped to provide solutions and support with various obstacles that businesses in the county face, such as finding their first customer, understanding marketing strategies, and simplifying business plans. Identifying funding sources, including grant funding, remains a challenge for many businesses. However, with the support of mentors and the guidance we provide, many businesses have been able to navigate these challenges successfully.
Many business owners expressed gratitude for our support throughout 2023 and 2024, which has enabled significant growth and development. We provide continuous support at all stages of business development, from startups to established businesses. Our range of fully funded support services includes one-to-one support, webinars, workshops, boot camps, growth accelerators, and grant funding. The process for businesses to engage with these support services is simple and effective, ensuring that they receive a focused business support plan.
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Business owners are encouraged to review the impact report and get in touch through our website for further assistance to start their journey with us.
Places
In 2023-2024, Enterprise Oxfordshire attracted £570 million worth of foreign direct investment across 46 investment opportunities, underscoring the importance of continuing to support key sectors impacted by the pandemic.
One such initiative is the Visitor Economy Renaissance programme, a £1.6 million package of support designed to revitalise the local economy. This support is required by businesses in the county as, despite Oxfordshire’s strong economic foundation, many businesses we support are still grappling with the ongoing impacts of Brexit.
The Visitor Economy Renaissance programme has been instrumental in supporting 52 SMEs with grants totalling over £840,000. This programme has also backed key initiatives around business tourism, international events, and the development of a destination management plan.
An example outcome of this support is the ‘Adopt a Vine’ scheme from JoJo’s Vineyard, aimed at maintaining communication and informing customers about vineyard activities throughout the year. Enterprise Oxfordshire played a crucial role in helping JoJo’s Vineyard develop the app and tool for the scheme, ensuring they could meet the demands of their customers effectively.
By highlighting these stories, it is clear to see that we continue to make a significant and positive impact in many areas. Our commitment to delivering impactful support remains unwavering, and we have made significant progress in supporting businesses, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering community growth.
View the Full Impact Report to see the full benefits of our efforts.
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