Businesses discuss ‘how Oxfordshire businesses can embrace innovation' at latest Q&A event

Over 50 Oxfordshire business leaders gathered at the Kassam Stadium yesterday (10 July) to take part in the latest OxLEP Q&A event.

Part a series of business engagement events the session saw delegates take part in a debate asked the question: ‘How can Oxfordshire businesses make an impact – nationally and internationally – by embracing innovation?’

It was the latest Q&A session hosted by OxLEP focussing on topics that emerge from its four priorities of People Place Connectivity and Enterprise.

Wednesday’s event focussed on ‘Enterprise’ with a panel made-up of several key figures working across Oxfordshire including; Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive at OxLEP Emma Jones MBE – Founder of Enterprise Nation Ian Nash – Area Director of Business Banking at HSBC and Dr Matt Perkins – CEO at Oxford University Innovation.

The event was chaired by Founder and Director of Collaborent Grant Hayward.

Head to OxLEP’s Twitter feed (or search #OxLEPEnterprise) to see some of the key points discussed by panellists and audience members.

In addition to the Q&A session the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) held a ‘Voice your views to government’ session for SMEs around the county. It was a chance for businesses in the area to discuss with BEIS representatives some of the key topics that affect small businesses today including: business support options available how productivity can be improved Brexitand how local issues are affecting business performance.

The next Q&A event – which will focus on ‘Connectivity’ – will provisionally take place in mid-October. Full details will be announced in the coming weeks.