Oxfordshire companies from a variety of sectors joined members of the OxLEP Business team last Friday (23 April) for the first in a series of new online events, highlighting the breadth of support available to businesses across the county.
Hosted by broadcaster Howard Bentham, the ‘New to OxLEP Business’ breakfast webinar series has been created to support those Oxfordshire-based companies who haven’t previously engaged with OxLEP Business, or have perhaps heard of the Local Enterprise Partnership but aren’t fully sure of its role, helping to create positive conditions and support for the county’s business community.
Through the event series – set to run across the next 12 months – OxLEP Business aims to engage with those who may have recently launched a new business and are unsure as to what the next steps should be to help grow it.
It’s also hoped that companies who may have suffered difficulties because of COVID-19 or Brexit – and may need some guidance to help reset it – or those who may have an innovative business idea that needs further support to bring it to reality, can benefit from the series too.
At the first ‘New to OxLEP Business’ webinar, delegates found out more details of a brand-new peer networks programme – a second programme of its type that has created in the past 12 months by OxLEP Business – launched off the back of a successful first peer networks programme that provided support to over 150 businesses from right across Oxfordshire.
Event attendees also heard from Chantal Orlik, managing director of The Motivation Agency, an organisation that took part in OxLEP Business’ first peer networks programme.
Watch again: 'New to OxLEP Business' breakfast webinar (episode one - 23 April 2021)
Rob Panting – Communications Manager at OxLEP – said: “As the local enterprise partnership for Oxfordshire, we have a track record of supporting businesses to reach their ambitions through a variety of programmes, funding opportunities and even convening networks of businesses from right across the county.
“Over the past year – and in-light of COVID-19 and Brexit – our role has become even more pivotal. Since the start of the pandemic, we have introduced a number of new and effective programmes and funds, created to provide critical support.
“Moving forward, we are determined to play a key role in ensuring that the county’s businesses are able to run as efficiently as possible and remain productive both during the pandemic and beyond. We want to ensure that we support as many Oxfordshire businesses as possible.”
Find out more on OxLEP Business’ support programmes
Register your company’s interest in the next peer networks programme
