Flexible working covers a whole range of scenarios, beneficial to employees with diverse needs. Its aim is to strike a work-life balance – but it isn’t always an easy journey getting there. Is flexible working just as effective as having a full-time position? Is there evidence to showcase the real impact of flexibility on productivity and wellbeing? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Helen Wright, Founder of 9-2-3 Jobs...
Nov 25, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Equality, diversity and inclusion are often grouped together and have become a buzzword in the workplace. However, each term comes with its nuances and challenges. Many organisations have a strong commitment to ED&I, but what do they actually do to ensure each area is covered? How can businesses embrace diversity in the workplace, while making it an equal and inclusive environment? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined b...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In England, 1.5 million people work in social care in 1.2 million full time equivalent roles. To cope with demand, an extra 440,000 roles will be needed by 2035. So, how will the care sector cope now and in the future? How can staff retention be improved, and new people upskilled? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Amrit Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Walfinch, and Kam Gill, Managing Director at Walfinch Oxfordshire. Wal...
Oct 28, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Artificial Intelligence is becoming more widespread across the business landscape, with the industry contributing £3.7 billion to the UK economy. Some sectors are already using the technology to great effect, such as telecoms, legal and finance, whereas others lag behind in adopting new systems. Many businesses remain unsure about the uses and benefits of AI technology, and some are even worried that it could replace human jobs. So, as a business leader, how can you use this technology effective...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 3
The UK has set out clear targets to achieve net zero by 2050, with Oxfordshire set to be a leader in the low carbon transition nationally. But how can business leaders make practical changes to their organisations to support the transition, while keeping costs down? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Melanie Tattersall, Director of Sustainability and Communications at Darcica Logistics. Award-winning delivery and fulfi...
Sep 23, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 2
How can independent organisations, and their employees, adapt to the everchanging business landscape to compete with larger companies and achieve growth? How do they balance tradition with driving a small to medium sized enterprise forward? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by James Clarke, Managing Director at Hook Norton Brewery. The 175-year-old Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire is still powered by steam and uses dra...
Sep 09, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Welcome to Season Three of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond, to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst an...
Aug 26, 2024•54 sec
How does a business make the leap from a brilliant idea to a fully functioning company? What hurdles are in the way and who is there to champion and nurture entrepreneurs to give them every chance of succeeding? In this episode of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Andrea Stewart, the Head of Marketing, Communications & PR at Oxford University Innovation. Oxford University Innovation’s Impact report from last year detailed t...
Apr 15, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 6
How do we create and nurture a dynamic business landscape which attracts new companies, innovation and investment? In this episode of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Artem Korolev, Founder and CEO of Mission Street. Oxfordshire is one of the world’s most well-regarded destinations when it comes to science and innovation. As competition from the likes of Silicon Valley, Boston and Beijing stiffens, how can Oxfordshire stand ou...
Jan 22, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 5
What is the key to creating a happy and motivated workforce? How can you improve your staff retention rate? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Sarah Powell, HR Director at luxury Oxfordshire hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Today, we live in difficult times, where many vacancies remain unfilled, and employers are on a constant hunt for the right person to join their organisation. It’s a buyer’s market for job...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 4
What if you were to turn your hobby or passion into a full-time job? Where would you start? Is there any help out there and to whom should you turn? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Paul Wilkinson, multi-award-winning photographer and founder of Paul Wilkinson Photography. Many of us have hobbies and interests outside of work that occupy our spare time, playing an important role in our social life, as well a...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 3
How exactly do you start a business? What is realistic and what is fantasy? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Fiona Reid, Associate Professor of Bioscience Entrepreneurship at University College London, to explore her top tips for starting a business and becoming a successful entrepreneur. The word entrepreneur sums up what it means to be proactive, innovative and passionate about business – someone who is re...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 2
What makes a good leader? How exactly can you lead by example? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive of Bicester Motion, as they delve into his career journey and how his organisation is shaping leaders of the future. Almost everyone that has ever had a job will have had a boss. Leaders must inspire, cajole, motivate, be a great speaker and an even better listener, and of course,...
Nov 06, 2023•55 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. In the final episode of the series, our focus is the changing face of the workplace, with a particular emphasis on the new four-day week working pattern that many organisations are adopting...
Jul 10, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. In this episode – which is the fifth in this series – OxTalks looks into the importance of SMEs for both the Oxfordshire and UK economies. Small and medium-sized businesses are the ‘engine ...
Apr 24, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. Oxfordshire is home to some of the world's best and most innovative technologies, helping to address many of the planet's most pressing issues, most recently demonstrated via the Oxford COV...
Apr 10, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Welcome to OxTalks, powered Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. Some of the world's most-talented people work in the county with a host of globally-significant companies calling Oxfordshire home. Last year alone spin-outs, start-ups and social enterprises ...
Mar 27, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. With major retail locations, an award-winning World Heritage site and an area of outstanding natural beauty, Oxfordshire has a visitor economy offer like no other – but like all four corner...
Mar 13, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to OxTalks, powered Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. Despite being home to the world's best university for a seventh year running, Oxfordshire has many communities that suffer from deprivation, major cost of living difficulties and a lack of opp...
Feb 27, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to OxTalks, powered by OxLEP. OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that OxLEP does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond, to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. 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. Our vision is for Oxfordshi...
Feb 27, 2023•2 min
