Recognition and celebration: Oxfordshire’s business community gears up for annual showcase and awards

Business leaders, entrepreneurs and key influencers of the Oxfordshire economy are set to come together later this week for a major gathering of the county’s business community.

Hosted by Enterprise Oxfordshire Business, the Marketplace and Celebration Event 2025 is set to bring together around 300 people from across the county, creating a critical space for leaders and entrepreneurs to network, share business ideas and also celebrate commercial achievements too.

The event will take place tomorrow (18 September), starting at 6pm at Oxford Town Hall and follows previous, similar popular gatherings held across the city, including at the Museum of Natural History in 2023 and the Examinations School, last September.

A marketplace will see Oxfordshire SMEs and entrepreneurs – supported by Enterprise Oxfordshire Business since April 2022 – showcase their products and activities to visitors, whilst a celebration session will see businesses and individuals, also supported by the organisation during the same timeframe, acclaimed through a series of special awards.

Categories for the awards include Business Leader of the Year and Start-up of Year, whilst Bicester-based Darcica Logistics – themselves, a recipient of Enterprise Oxfordshire Business support and guidance – are the event’s main headline sponsor.

One of the largest gatherings of its kind in the county, the Marketplace and Celebration Event precedes Enterprise Oxfordshire’s 15^th year in operation in 2026 – a significant milestone for an organisation that has had a major impact on Oxfordshire’s economy for well over a decade.

Since its launch in 2011, Enterprise Oxfordshire have secured around £3billion-worth of investment across a whole range of infrastructure projects, whilst – between April 2023 and March 2025 alone – the organisation signposted over 3,000 businesses to a range of support, tailored to them.

Also in recent times, Enterprise Oxfordshire have successfully 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.

Meanwhile – working with central government – between 2017 and 2023, Enterprise Oxfordshire helped to ensure 6,000 jobs were created or safeguarded, via a total of 295 foreign direct investment projects, impacting various sectors from retail through to life sciences and engineering.

This year’s Marketplace and Celebration Event also follows a major change for Enterprise Oxfordshire during the past 12 months.

Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP on 1 April. The change marked the completion of a two-year process that saw the economic development functions – previously led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – altered so that they were to be overseen via a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in this instance, Oxfordshire County Council.

Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire in April, Oxfordshire County Council now act as the organisation’s 100% shareholder, known as a Teckal company arrangement.

Helen Brind – Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Head of Business and Skills – said: “We are delighted to once again create such an opportunity to bring together Oxfordshire’s business community – something which we are proud to do and an opportunity that we know is truly valued by businesses from right across the county and those with a business idea.

“In our view, ‘community’ continues to be the key word. Starting or running a business can be a very isolating experience and leave people feeling overwhelmed and even uncertain as to where they need to go for support, mentorship or even a forum to share challenges and opportunities.

“Enterprise Oxfordshire has a legacy of bringing leaders and entrepreneurs together, creating a solid network of likeminded people as well as an ability to provide guidance and support, whether they are looking to start-up, grow or take on a new business challenge.

“As we enter our fifteenth year in operation – and with the recent changes associated with Enterprise Oxfordshire – we are more determined than ever to lead and coordinate a community that is effective, supportive, creates recognition where it is deserved, and is ultimately a continued major asset for the Oxfordshire economy.”

In addition to those supported by Enterprise Oxfordshire Business attending the event, staff and business advisors – representing Enterprise Oxfordshire Business – will also be present at Oxford Town Hall, whilst Oxfordshire County Council’s chief executive Martin Reeves, is set to address event visitors too.

Martin Reeves said: “Events like this are a wonderful way of bringing together organisations from within Oxfordshire’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

“We are incredibly lucky that our county is home to a globally leading critical mass of science, learning, talent, intellect and inspiration. It is no surprise that we enjoy an internationally competitive advantage when it comes to innovation and enterprise.

“I look forward to attending this showcase which I’m sure will highlight the leadership and entrepreneurship that makes Oxfordshire the envy of the world.”

A full list of this year’s awards categories are as follows:

• The Socially Responsible Business of the Year Award – sponsored by The Sky Wave Distilling Co
• The Manufacturer of the Year Award – sponsored by Cabinet & Frame
• The Innovation in Customer Experience of the Year Award – sponsored by Stephen Spencer + Associates
• The Start-up of the Year Award – sponsored by Cypher
• The Business Leader of the Year Award – sponsored by the Institute of Directors
• The Environmentally Sustainable Business of the Year Award – sponsored by ALP Synergy
• The Growth Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Olamalu

All winners will be announced on 18 September, with the categories also set to highlight a number of highly commended organisations and individuals.

Previous award winners – Velocity Cycle Couriers, a zero-emission delivery company who aims to help Oxfordshire businesses dispatch goods quickly, affordably and sustainably – will be headline speakers at this year’s event.

Helen Brind added: “We are very proud of the impact our support has made and continues to make in Oxfordshire.

 “We estimate that our business support activities – between April 2023 and March 2025 – have added around £28million to the Oxfordshire economy, which equates to an incredible 3,900% return on investment against our cost commitments.

 “Through our support, businesses have also been in a position to create 776 jobs and perhaps just as importantly, 1,622 jobs have been safeguarded – crucial interventions and support that leverage a sustainable Oxfordshire economy.”

For more information and to gain business support, head to the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business website.

Pictured above: The 2024 Marketplace and Celebration Event.