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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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.
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WTR Group acquires SI Pumps to strengthen UK presence
WTR Group, a leading Nordic water and wastewater solutions provider, has acquired Oxford-based SI Pumps to expand its UK presence. This follows WTR’s 2023 acquisition of Euroflo, reinforcing its growth strategy in Northern Europe.
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Five Oxford professionals among 125 promoted by Knights
Knights, a leading regional professional services firm with 28 UK offices, has promoted five team members in its Oxford office as part of 125 promotions nationwide. Among those recognised are Colette Bane and Rebecca Jenkins, both promoted to Partner, alongside promotions in Regulatory, Dispute Resolution, and Private Client teams.
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The Oxford Trust appoints three new trustees to strengthen the board
The Oxford Trust has appointed three new trustees to its Board: David Llewellyn, co-founder of DJS Antibodies; Tatiana Grudskaya, VP at Immunocore; and David Carr, an experienced CFO. Their combined expertise in science, finance, and innovation will support the Trust’s mission to champion science education and entrepreneurship in Oxfordshire.
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Salon Privé becomes first B Corp™ certified automotive event in the world
Salon Privé, the UK’s leading luxury automotive event, has become the world’s first automotive event to achieve B Corp™ Certification, marking a major milestone ahead of its 20th anniversary.
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Oxford hotel market strengthens as city ranks joint-second in UK index
Oxford has climbed to joint second place in Colliers’ 2025 UK Hotel Market Index, reflecting strong hotel market fundamentals. The city posted a 9.27% rise in Average Daily Rate (ADR) in 2024 and ranked among the top five for Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) growth.
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South West housebuilder Persimmon retains prestigious five-star rating
South West housebuilder Persimmon has earned a five-star rating in a national customer satisfaction survey for the fourth consecutive year. The rating, based on feedback from over 5,000 homebuyers, reflects that more than 90% would recommend the company to friends and family.
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The Oxford Trust secures new building for its Oxford Centre for Innovation
The Oxford Trust has agreed on a 10-year lease for Blue Boar Court in Oxford’s city centre to house its Oxford Centre for Innovation to support the growth and development of local science and tech start-ups.
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Regional law firm Gardner Leader celebrates stellar 2024 with a hat trick of awards
Gardner Leader, a regional law firm, has marked the end of the year with a hat trick of industry awards, having been named ‘Law Firm of the Year’ by LawNet and The Royal Berkshire Property Awards, as well as ‘Best SME’ at Maidenhead & District Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) Community & Business Awards.
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Tripadvisor opens new office in Oxford and reaffirms commitment to the city
This multi-million-pound investment supports activity-based working and reinforces the company’s commitment to Oxford and the UK, where it employs 600 people across its Oxford and London offices.
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RWK Goodman celebrates success in multiple legal directories
RWK Goodman has been named a leading law firm across multiple legal disciplines with 40 lawyers individually recognised by Chambers and Partners, and 25 lawyers named ‘leading’ partners and associates by The Legal 500.
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Thame-based hospitality software company three rocks® achieves B Corp status
three rocks®, headquartered in Thame, began its B Corp journey in Sept 2023 and now has over 40 employees and clients, including Pizza Hut, TGI Friday’s and The Big Table Group.
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Oxfordshire innovators attend Exit Right 2024 as top investors share funding insights
150 science and technology start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs in Oxfordshire gathered at Oxford University’s prestigious Natural History Museum for the Exit Right 2024 funding matrix event.
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Local solicitor Chris Felton named a ‘Leading Individual’ in prestigious legal guide for 10th year
Chris Felton, Partner at leading regional law firm Gardner Leader, has been named for the 10th year in a row as a ‘Leading Individual’ in this year’s prestigious Legal 500 Guide.