About OxLEP
As the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), it is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.
We were formally launched by the then Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP, in March 2011 with the responsibility of championing and developing the Oxfordshire economy.
We have made considerable progress in strengthening the county's economy by establishing robust and effective relationships between businesses, academia and the public sector.
Since our launch in March 2011, we have played a key role in driving forward a dynamic, growing and sustainable economy for Oxfordshire.
Our achievements:
Highlight achievements include:
- We have secured in excess of £600 million-worth of central government funds for the Oxfordshire economy
- We have supported the creation of around 40,000 new jobs over the past five years – representing close to 50% of a 2031 target of 85,600 new jobs
- We secured £142.5m for Oxfordshire through the Local Growth Fund 1, 2 and 3 – funded projects include; the Oxfordshire Flood Risk Management Scheme and Oxpens development programme in Oxford city centre
- We have secured £55.5m for Oxfordshire through the City Deal Fund – funded projects include; the Harwell Innovation Hub, Culham Advanced Manufacturing Hub and Begbroke Innovation Accelerator
According to Sustainability West Midlands – against all 38 local enterprise partnerships – OxLEP is currently ranked:
- First for climate change/low carbon commitment against ESIF allocations
- Fifth for its commitment to climate change adaptation, mitigation and the low carbon economy overall
During the 2016 to 2017, we achieved the following:
Start-ups:
- 400 meetings held, leading to 120 new business start-ups
- 262 businesses or individuals signposted to partner organisations
- 41 businesses supported via a face-to-face diagnostic
- 15 Oxfordshire SMEs accessing £100,000-worth of innovation funding
- 14 individuals accessing social enterprise support
Investment:
- 57 investments supported
- 122 investment enquiries received
- 37 investments made from abroad
- 821 jobs created or safeguarded
Apprenticeships:
- 41 employers introduced to apprenticeships
- 24 new young apprenticeship ambassadors recruited
- 28 apprenticeship workshops delivered in schools
- 16 drop-in events held to raise awareness of apprenticeships
- 12 employer events attended, promoting the benefits of apprenticeships
Work experience and careers:
- 5,300 work experience placements secured
- 1,500 students and 50 exhibitors engaged at Careers Fest 2017
- 40 secondary schools engaged during academic year
- 38 school assemblies held giving career advice
