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 are part of the LEP Network - find out more
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:
- Together with our partners, we have secured around £600 million-worth of central government and European funds for the Oxfordshire economy
- We have supported the creation of around 50,000 new jobs between 2012 and 2017 – representing 58.4% 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 2017 to 2018 financial year, we achieved the following:
Start-up and Growth businesses:
£2m ERDF-funded ELEVATE launched
51 start-up and growth workshops held
400 individuals/businesses attended workshops
1600 hours of face-to-face support
£200K ELEVATE start-up and growth grants launched
3 competitive grant competitions, totalling a value in excess of £85k being offered to 20 businesses
212 businesses have received one-to-one support equating to 636 hours of direct face-to-face support.
Inward investment:
1,315 new jobs for the county as a result of this, and the safeguarding of 403 in the process
66% of investments in Oxfordshire were new investments
9% of all English foreign direct investment took place in Oxfordshire
Five ‘multi-region’ foreign direct investment projects secured by OxLEP
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:
4986 work experience allocated placements
1567 attendees and 54 exhibitors engaged at Careers Fest 2018
40 secondary schools engaged during academic year
131 school careers events, apprenticeship assemblies and workshops
5 Community Employment Plans in place (including Westgate Oxford)
