Driving future success: Enterprise Oxfordshire reveals leadership updates

Enterprise Oxfordshire today (23 December) announces several updated leadership appointments within the organisation, as it heads into 2026.

Following the departure of its long-standing chief executive in September this year, an interim managing director has been named, supporting Enterprise Oxfordshire for a short-term period.

Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Shareholder Committee has agreed to appoint Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Future Economy, Nick Glover, as Managing Director on an interim basis until 31 March next year.

Prior to his appointment with Oxfordshire County Council, Mr Glover held roles at the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, the West Midlands Growth Company, and West Midlands Combined Authority.

He will continue to operate in both roles through the start of next year, whilst the process to recruit a new, permanent managing director is expected to commence early in 2026.

Sitting alongside Mr Glover will be Helen Brind and Helen Ryan-Wallis who have worked within Enterprise Oxfordshire for a combined total of close to 25 years, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to their latest roles.

Helen Brind takes on the role of Director of Business and Skills, whilst Helen Ryan-Wallis is appointed to the position of Director of Strategic Development and Programmes.

The organisation’s previous chief executive, Nigel Tipple, left Enterprise Oxfordshire – formerly the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) – earlier this autumn, having been in post since June 2013.

Enterprise Oxfordshire’s interim managing director and two directors are supported by a further six colleagues, forming an updated senior management team covering business areas including finance, corporate governance, communications and employee wellbeing.

Nick Glover said: “With a significant portfolio of impactful delivery behind us – supporting thousands of people and businesses both directly and indirectly –Enterprise Oxfordshire has played a major role in the county, by stimulating economic growth, boosting skills and career development, enabling community inclusion and driving sustainable investment .

“I am grateful for and excited about the opportunity. I look forward to working alongside Helen and Helen, as well as our wider team in the coming months, to ensure that we continue to deliver for all of Oxfordshire.”

Councillor Ben Higgins – Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation – added: “The decision taken by Cabinet in October to commit £17.2million to economic development in the coming years was a statement of our intent to deliver good growth for Oxfordshire – and Enterprise Oxfordshire has a key role to play.

“These appointments mean the company can look ahead with confidence and work hand-in-hand with Oxfordshire County Council, key stakeholders and our business community to remain focused on creating meaningful benefits for our local community.”

Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP on 1 April this year, marking the completion of a two-year process that saw a new mechanism of delivery agreed between Enterprise Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.

Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire in April, Oxfordshire County Council is now as the organisation’s sole company member, and the company benefits from what is known as the Teckal exemption.

Since its inception in 2011, Enterprise Oxfordshire has supported the county’s economy to be a standout economy, securing major investment for the area, whilst also being instrumental in creating opportunities for communities across Oxfordshire too.

Working with both private and public sector partners, Enterprise Oxfordshire have secured around £3billion-worth of investment across a whole range of infrastructure projects, whilst – between April 2023 and March 2024 alone – the organisation supported over 1,970 businesses in the county.

Across 2025 so far, Enterprise Oxfordshire have delivered 3,945 hours of advice to leaders and entrepreneurs, with just over 2,250 attendees benefiting from its online and in-person business support offer.

Also in recent times, Enterprise Oxfordshire have secured over £6million of apprenticeship levy funding from the county’s larger businesses, supporting SMEs to create dozens of new apprenticeship openings – funding that would have otherwise been lost to Oxfordshire.

Enterprise Oxfordshire currently employs around 35 people, offering a diverse range of skills and expertise – from business support specialists and labour market and employability experts, through to economic development and inward investment professionals.