Business & Economy
Stay informed on the latest news, stories, and analysis of the local business and economy in Oxford and Oxfordshire, including economic trends, key company appointments, and developments of local enterprises.
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Catering Services International becomes 100% employee-owned
Catering Services International has become 100% employee-owned through an Employee Ownership Trust, securing its independence and empowering staff to share in its success. The landmark transition celebrates over 35 years of innovation, loyalty, and growth in hospitality recruitment.
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Azets strengthens Oxfordshire and South R&D team with two strategic appointments
Azets has expanded its R&D tax relief team across Oxfordshire and the South, appointing two new managers and promoting a senior leader as part of its growth strategy to double R&D revenues by 2028.
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The Oxford Trust celebrates 40 years of science at Rhodes House
The Oxford Trust marked 40 years of supporting science and innovation with a celebration at Rhodes House, Oxford, bringing together 200 guests from across Oxfordshire. The event honoured its legacy of inspiring STEM learning and nurturing start-ups through its innovation centres.
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Experience Oxfordshire reports resilient visitor economy despite fewer visitors
Experience Oxfordshire’s latest report reveals that although overall visits to the county fell by 11% in 2024, the visitor economy remains resilient with spend growing by 4% to £2.4b, sustaining 41,000 jobs.
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SugaROx secures £400k investment from Mosaic to advance precision biostimulants
ugaROx, an Oxfordshire-based venture leading the development of precision biostimulants, has secured a £400k investment from fertiliser giant The Mosaic Company, completing a £1 million seed round extension alongside existing investors.
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Azets Barometer highlights barriers to SME investment in Oxfordshire
The Azets Barometer Spring 2025 survey reveals that UK SMEs, including many in Oxfordshire, are delaying investment due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and unclear tax policy.
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Oxfordshire recruitment market overview reveals 2025 hiring and retention challenges
Allen Associates’ latest Oxfordshire Recruitment Market Overview highlights intensified hiring challenges in 2025, with 61% of employers citing high salary expectations and 45% struggling to find suitably qualified candidates.
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Vail Williams strengthens Thames Valley property asset management team
Vail Williams has enhanced its property asset management (PAM) team in the Thames Valley with the appointments of Shane O’Reilly as associate and Emma Cooper as senior surveyor – further strengthening its nationally acclaimed PAM services
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Reeds Solicitors LLP promotes Emma Ćojder, Andy Lee, and Lucy Tapper to partners
Reeds Solicitors LLP, a leading national law firm headquartered in Oxford, has announced the promotion of three new partners: Emma Ćojder, Andy Lee, and Lucy Tapper. Their promotions raise the total number of partners to 18, with a third now being women.
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Property consultancy Vail Williams secures five Oxford city centre shop lettings
Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully let five Oxford city centre retail units in quick succession, reflecting high demand for premises in the historic city. Acting for landlords including Lincoln College and St Peter’s College, the firm secured tenants such as Loake Shoemakers and Knead bakery.
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Christie & Co announces sale of The Rose & Crown pub in Charlbury
The traditional seventeenth-century pub in Charlbury, celebrated for its community spirit and accolades such as CAMRA’s ‘Oxfordshire Pub of the Year,’ was sold by long-time owner Nikki Page. It now joins Oak Taverns, a family-run pub company based in Thame.
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Ask William expands partnership with MBE Summertown for global concierge solutions
Oxford concierge company Ask William has expanded its partnership with MBE Oxford Summertown, enhancing its global logistics and print support. This deepened collaboration follows Ask William’s increased role in international events, such as the 2025 Skoll World Forum.
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Vail Williams announces strategic promotions in Thames Valley and Oxford office
Property consultancy Vail Williams has announced three strategic promotions in its Thames Valley region, including Oxford-based partner Guy Parkes, as part of 20 firm-wide changes. Six new LLP members have been added across various offices, including Oxford, Birmingham, and the South Coast.
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Abingdon-based PMC secures BGF investment to expand digital commerce services
PMC, a retail and commerce technology service provider based at Abingdon Business Park, has secured investment from growth capital investor BGF to support it’s global expansion, enhance its digital engineering and managed services, and advance its proprietary Graphene Commerce Platform.
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Property consultancy Vail Williams appoints new Managing Partner for next phase of growth
Vail Williams LLP, a UK-based property consultancy, has announced Danny George as its new Managing Partner, succeeding Matthew Samuel-Camps after a decade of transformative leadership.
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Regional law firm Gardner Leader expands with Lynsey Smith as partner
Leading regional law firm Gardner Leader has appointed Lynsey Smith as a Partner in its Dispute Resolution team. Her arrival follows recent expansion, with eight new hires since April across the firm’s seven offices. Lynsey brings 20 years of experience in commercial litigation and franchise disputes, joining from IBB Law.