Enterprise Oxfordshire launches four new initiatives set to boost the county’s businesses

Oxfordshire business owners and senior leaders are being encouraged to access four new support programmes – launching this autumn – focused on leadership, commercial decision-making, international growth and collaboration.

Enterprise Oxfordshire has announced a new package of support for businesses, giving leaders practical guidance, specialist expertise and opportunities to learn alongside other organisations from across the county.

The four initiatives have been developed to address important opportunities and challenges facing Oxfordshire businesses. They will help leaders strengthen their personal and commercial capabilities, explore international markets and build partnerships that can unlock new contracts.

The new schemes form part of Enterprise Oxfordshire’s continuing commitment to support businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, whether they are starting out, growing an established organisation or responding to a new challenge.

The activities to be launched are:

Oxfordshire SME Leadership Retreat:

Taking place from 29 to 30 September at Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon, this two-day residential retreat will give SME owners and senior leaders the time and space to step back from the day-to-day demands of running a business and focus on their leadership.

Through honest conversations, practical tools and peer support, participants will explore real-world challenges, consider new perspectives and identify clear next steps for themselves, their teams and their businesses.

The retreat is designed for businesses with at least three members of staff. creating an environment in which leaders can develop trusted relationships with peers who understand the realities of growing a business.

Commercial Leadership Programme:

Beginning on 20 October and continuing until 15 December, the Commercial Leadership Programme will consist of five in-person sessions exploring different aspects of effective commercial leadership.

Aimed primarily at founders, chief executives and senior leaders from businesses with at least five employees, the programme will help participants move beyond reacting to immediate pressures and make deliberate, commercially informed decisions that support sustainable growth.

Participants will hear directly from founders, chief executives and commercial leaders who have successfully scaled businesses and it will provide leaders with the tools, insight, networks and accountability needed to focus their time and investment on the right opportunities while avoiding costly distractions.

International Growth Programme:

Oxfordshire SMEs with ambitions to take their products or services into overseas markets can also access Enterprise Oxfordshire’s new International Growth Programme.

Two introductory sessions will take place on 7 and 22 October, followed by programme activity from November until February 2027.

Through workshops, one-to-one support and peer learning, participating businesses will work on a live export opportunity and develop a tailored international growth plan for a chosen market. The programme will help leaders identify promising overseas markets, find potential customers, build relationships across different cultures and develop an international sales pipeline.

The programme is intended for businesses that have been trading for at least 12 months, can demonstrate clear export ambitions and have evidence of an export pilot programme.

Purposeful Collaboration Programme:

The fourth initiative, the Purposeful Collaboration Programme, will help SMEs and social enterprises develop partnerships that strengthen their ability to compete for public sector tenders and pursue opportunities that may be difficult to access independently.

Delivered in collaboration with OSEP and Cooperative Futures, the programme will support participating organisations to create trusted partnerships, develop stronger joint offers and become more contract-ready.

By bringing SMEs and social enterprises together, the programme will also help organisations enhance their social value, explore innovative products and services, improve efficiency and create sustainable growth.

The programme is designed for businesses and social enterprises that have been trading for at least two years.

Sarah Beal – Business Support Service Manager – said: “Oxfordshire has an ambitious and highly motivated business community, but we know that running and growing an organisation can bring considerable demands for its leaders.

“These four initiatives have been designed to give business owners and senior leaders practical, relevant support in areas that can make a genuine difference to their future development.

“Whether a business leader wants to strengthen their leadership, make more confident commercial decisions, explore international markets or collaborate to pursue larger contracts, we would encourage them to engage with our support this autumn.”

Local economic development functions – formerly led by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) – were brought under the oversight of Oxfordshire County Council in April 2025 and are now delivered through Enterprise Oxfordshire.

Enterprise Oxfordshire currently oversees the delivery of a comprehensive range of business, skills, investment and trade support services, as well as supporting a variety of strategies to drive Oxfordshire’s economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive way. Oxfordshire County Council now acts as Enterprise Oxfordshire’s sole 100% shareholder.

To find out more and to sign up to one of the new initiatives, head to the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business website.

Businesses unsure which support opportunity is right for them can also complete Enterprise Oxfordshire’s business support tool. The tool produces a bespoke business action plan and provides an initial route into the organisation’s wider business support offer.