Business & Economy
Follow Business & Economy in Oxford and just beyond, from company news and major appointments to investment, innovation and wider economic developments.
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New report reveals Oxfordshire’s visitor economy contributes almost £2.5 billion as trips rise
Oxfordshire attracted 26 million visits in 2025, generating £2.47 billion for the local economy and supporting more than 42,500 jobs. New figures reveal the importance of tourism to Oxford city and the wider county, alongside continuing pressures on visitor spending and overnight stays.
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Equinox 2035: Oxfordshire targets 20 unicorn companies and 30,000 innovation jobs
Oxfordshire has set out a 10-year strategy to attract more than £1 billion in annual investment, create 30,000 net new innovation-linked jobs and develop 20 billion-dollar companies, with a focus on helping businesses scale and ensuring more residents benefit from the county’s research-led economy.
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DSV UK to invest £3.7m in Oxfordshire plant breeding and seed processing facilities
DSV UK Ltd has begun a £3.7 million expansion of its plant breeding and seed processing facilities in Wardington, Oxfordshire. The development will bring breeding equipment and processing operations together, with completion expected in summer 2027.
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Taylor & Francis to relocate Oxfordshire headquarters to Oxford city centre
Taylor & Francis plans to move its Oxfordshire headquarters from Milton Park to Cantay House in Oxford in early 2028. The renovated city-centre building is set to include a café, event facilities and spaces for public engagement with academic research.
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Oxford’s Gloucester Green Market faces calls for change ahead of 2028 contract expiry
Traders, business owners and residents have raised concerns about Gloucester Green Market’s management, alleging declining trade, anti-social behaviour and an overemphasis on street food. Oxford City Council says it remains committed to the market’s long-term success.
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Swallows Nurseries & Gardens in Oxfordshire put up for sale for £1.1 million
Swallows Nurseries & Gardens, an established nursery, garden centre, café and visitor destination in Mixbury, has been put on the market for £1.1m, offering a new owner the chance to take on the Oxfordshire business.
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Thame law firm Lightfoots Solicitors acquires Rachel Stafford Legal Services as founder retires
Lightfoots Solicitors has acquired Thame-based Rachel Stafford Legal Services following the founder’s retirement, transferring clients and stored wills to the established local firm’s Wills & Probate team.
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Westgate Oxford to host recruitment fair for local job seekers
Westgate Oxford will host a free recruitment fair on 06 October, bringing local job seekers face-to-face with employers including John Lewis, TK Maxx, Superdrug, Mitie and CBRE.
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Ethical Property appoints Jonathan Davies as chief executive
Oxford-headquartered Ethical Property has appointed Jonathan Davies as chief executive, with the long-serving senior executive taking over after a decade with the social enterprise.
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Matt Francis returns as chief executive of The Oxford Trust
Matt Francis has returned to The Oxford Trust as chief executive, succeeding Steve Burgess after 13 years. His appointment comes as the Headington-based organisation expands its science and innovation facilities and continues its work supporting businesses and STEM education across the region.
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Witney-based Edgars planning consultancy under new leadership following management buyout
Witney-based planning and heritage consultancy Edgars has entered a new chapter following a management buyout led by Jon Westerman, who becomes managing director as the Witney-based business approaches its 20th anniversary.
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Almost half of eligible taxpayers miss first Making Tax Digital filing deadline
Almost half of those required to file under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax missed the first quarterly deadline, according to analysis from accountancy firm Azets, which has offices in Oxfordshire.
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Thame-based events production company earns B Corp status after years of sustainability work
A Thame-based events production company has achieved B Corp certification after several years of reviewing its environmental impact, staff policies, purchasing and operations, joining a growing global community of businesses assessed against rigorous social and environmental standards.
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Bicester Motion submits plans for £1bn expansion and 7,600-job mobility innovation cluster
Bicester Motion has submitted plans for the first phase of a proposed £1bn, 10-year expansion in Oxfordshire, including 1.44 million sq ft of commercial space, 200 homes and thousands of potential jobs.
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Banbury-headquartered Bibby Financial Services secures €250m HSBC funding facility to expand SME support
Bibby Financial Services, headquartered in Adderbury near Banbury, has agreed a €250 million funding facility with HSBC UK that will help expand its support for small and medium-sized businesses across Europe and Asia.
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Oxfordshire business coach launches new Financial Times guide for aspiring entrepreneurs
An Oxfordshire business coach and former entrepreneur has launched a new book in the prestigious Financial Times Guide series, sharing lessons from his own business journey to help aspiring founders build successful companies.