Working with the public and private sector, it is our mission to champion and develop Oxfordshire’s economy, 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.
Triggered by a change in Government policy announced during the spring budget in 2023 – from 1 April 2024 – it was decided that the function of Local Enterprise Partnerships, would be delivered through a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities.
In November 2024, an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council was reached, ensuring OxLEP could continue to deliver economic development functions across Oxfordshire and from 1 April 2025, our trading name will become Enterprise Oxfordshire
Through reaching this agreement, we are well-positioned to continue to deliver comprehensive business, skills, investment and trade support services to the county’s business community, as well as supporting a variety of plans that help to ensure Oxfordshire’s economic potential is delivered in a sustainable and inclusive way, benefitting businesses, communities and the environment.
Together with our partners, we secured around £1billion-worth of funding for Oxfordshire, including central government and European investment. Such investment has had, and continues to, have a major impact on businesses and communities across our county.
We oversee and continue to report on an infrastructure and investment programme worth around £3.3billion to our county, that will deliver impacts for decades to come.
Our Local Growth Fund projects have invested £107.5million and enabled £94milion in match funding, across 30 projects that are enhancing the lives and skills of people, enriching places, sparking enterprise and boosting connectivity in Oxfordshire.
Our Visitor Economy Grant Scheme, which began in 2022 and continued through to May 2024 delivered grants ranging from £5,000 through to £24,999 per business, supporting 52 organisations at a critical time.
Our mission is to inspire and support business, to secure investment and drive opportunities for economic prosperity across our communities.
We maintain trust and accountability in everything we do.
We welcome new ideas and work collaboratively.
We are focused on achieving our goals.
We are mindful of our personal, team and social responsibilities.
In April 2023, we signed-up to a four-day working week pilot scheme for an initial six months, originally through to 30 September 2023 – however, given that many of OxLEP’s operational activity peaks during the autumn and winter months, a decision was made to extend the trial period for a further six months, so a greater assessment could take place.
This was subsequently extended through to 30 September 2024. Now, an additional six months has been added onto this trial period and we will continue to function in the same way, through to 31 March 2025.
Directly-employed staff working on a full-time basis work a 30-hour week across four days, with the organisation operating between Monday and Thursday. Our part-time staff function on a pro-rata basis.
There is no reduction in pay for any OxLEP member of staff.
Throughout this process, we have received support and guidance from 4Day Week Global – a not-for-profit organisation that aims to encourage businesses, employees, researchers and governments around the world to better understand the benefits of a four-day working week.
Our move to a four-day working week is driven by the company’s desire to be a stand-out ‘employer of choice’ in Oxfordshire and, in doing so, also improve its staff retention, recruitment capabilities and maintain its efficiency too.
The pilot scheme does not represent our teams delivering more work in less time, but aims to create a cultural shift, maintaining operational efficiency whilst working smarter.