Our Board and Sub-groups:
In spring 2023, the then Government announced plans that would see the economic development functions – led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – delivered through a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in our case, Oxfordshire County Council.
Since this decision was made, both OxLEP and Oxfordshire County Council have worked closely to ensure clear governance and operational capacity was retained, whilst meeting the changes required by Government.
In November 2024, Oxfordshire County Council’s full cabinet announced that OxLEP Ltd would remain, with the county council acting as the organisation’s 100% shareholder – we would though operate under the new trading name of Enterprise Oxfordshire.
The new arrangement – supported through a refreshed governance structure – will come into force as of 1 April 2025.
We will continue to support the delivery of a comprehensive set of business, skills, investment and trade support services, as well as supporting a variety of strategies backing Oxfordshire’s economic potential and to be delivered in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
Our governance structure supports us to deliver this effectively. We have carefully crafted a number of sub-groups, each influencing different aspects of our work.
Each one reports back to our main Board, ensuring a cohesive and unified approach. With the help of these dedicated sub-groups, we can continue to drive forward prosperity across Oxfordshire.
Our Committees:
Nominations and Personnel Committee
Introducing the Nominations and Personnel Committee – a vital team tasked with reviewing and addressing key issues regarding the recruitment and retention of our Board Directors and staff.
This committee is dedicated to ensuring the success and effectiveness of our leadership.
By reporting back to the Board on this vital subject, it ensures transparency and accountability. Additionally, it conducts an annual review of the Board’s effectiveness and provides valuable recommendations based on findings.
Its responsibilities don’t stop there.
The Nominations and Personnel Committee also thoroughly examine the policies and procedures related to the recruitment, management and remuneration of our staff. By making recommendations to the Board, we strive to create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
In short, the Nominations and Personnel Committee is the driving force behind maintaining a high-performing Board and creating a positive working environment for our dedicated staff.
Finance and Audit Committee
The Finance and Audit Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of our organisation’s financial processes and procedures.
This committee is responsible for reviewing and overseeing financial regulations and procedures to ensure a strong control environment is maintained. Additionally, they receive and evaluate reports from both internal and external auditors regarding their independent assessments of our control environment.
Our internal and external auditors are welcomed to discuss the committee’s work and have direct access if they have any specific issues they wish to address.
Some of our key partners:
The Oxford-Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership
This organisation sees a group of leaders from local government, business boards (including OxLEP), the Arc Universities Group and England’s Economic Heartland, with government, come together as a pan-regional partnership for the Oxford to Cambridge region.
Its mission is to secure a future in which our communities prosper from the very best in environmentally sustainable ways of living and working. It collaborates to accelerate economic opportunities created through the region’s innovation strengths to achieve significant environmental enhancements and to unlock investment for inclusive, high quality sustainable development.
Currently, Oxford to Cambridge region is already home to almost four million people and two million jobs, contributing over £111bn to the economy each year.
Forecasts previously indicated that by leveraging its strengths in science, technology, and high-value manufacturing, the region’s economic output could double to over £200bn by 2050.
The Oxfordshire Leaders Joint Committee (OLJC)
The OLJC (formerly the Future Oxfordshire Partnership) is a collaborative committee consisting of the six councils of Oxfordshire and key strategic partners, including OxLEP.
Its mission is to coordinate local efforts in managing economic, housing, and infrastructure development in an inclusive manner that maximises social and environmental benefits.
The partnership’s purpose is to deliver the bold aims of the Strategic Vision for Sustainable Development in Oxfordshire which all six councils have adopted. Additionally, it aims to contribute to biodiversity gain and embrace the necessary changes for a low carbon world.
Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership
The Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) works together to create a more equal and sustainable region that creates opportunities and benefits for all people within the county.
It works to tackle some of our region’s biggest problems to create a fairer environment where everyone can contribute and share in our success.
The OIEP seeks to support, grow or amplify specific initiatives or specialist organisations who are already successful in tackling the issues around the inclusive economy as well as identifying any gaps.