The Oxfordshire Business Summit 2025, delivered by B4 in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, brought together a broad cross-section of regional leaders from business, academia, local government, and innovation-focused organisations. The purpose of the event was to explore key opportunities and challenges facing Oxfordshire’s economy and to strengthen collaboration across sectors to help shape a confident, long-term vision for the region’s growth.
The opening plenary set the stage for a day focused on strategic priorities. Speakers highlighted the need to accelerate infrastructure delivery, boost investment in skills, and position Oxfordshire as a core driver of the UK’s ‘science superpower’ ambition. The importance of partnership – between institutions, communities, and business – was a consistent theme throughout the day.
The summit featured a range of sessions addressing themes such as governance, devolution, housing and infrastructure, leadership, skills, innovation, and the role of AI. A discussion on governance reform and potential devolution emphasised the importance of place-based leadership and the need for businesses to play a more active role in shaping Oxfordshire’s strategic future. Planning challenges and the need for patient capital and long-term thinking were recurring issues, especially in discussions on housing, land use, and sustainable development.
Speakers including Will Hutton and Dr Laura Gilbert urged attendees to think boldly about the purpose of business and the role of innovation in long-term economic transformation. Both highlighted the risk of short-termism and underinvestment in UK industry, calling instead for greater public-private collaboration and a renewed focus on productivity, values-led leadership and system-wide change.
One of the most engaging sessions on the main stage was led by Katy Tuncer of Horizon 37, who outlined four leadership behaviours that research links closely to business scale-up success. These included clear direction setting, open feedback cultures, consistent performance management, and organisational resilience. Attendees were invited to reflect on their own leadership approaches and consider areas for growth.
Advanced Oxford’s Managing Director, Sarah Haywood, spoke in this session too, which was focused on Oxfordshire’s economic growth. She highlighted the national and regional context, including upcoming changes linked to devolution, legislation and the role of the newly announced Growth Commission. Sarah pointed to strategic opportunities such as East West Rail and reinforced the importance of joining up regional economic strategies to position Oxfordshire at the heart of the UK’s innovation economy. In the same session, Nigel Tipple of Enterprise Oxfordshire called on the business community to become more engaged in strategy and delivery, stressing that now is the time for businesses to have a stronger voice in shaping the county’s direction.
Later in the day, Sarah Haywood chaired a panel on collaboration between universities and businesses, showcasing successful examples including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Living Labs. Panel members shared insights into how partnerships can deliver real value beyond R&D – from talent development and skills to commercial innovation. Sarah encouraged delegates to take the first step in building these collaborations, reinforcing that even informal conversations can lead to significant impact.
Other sessions during the day explored infrastructure development, town centre regeneration, inclusive talent strategies, and the future of the creative economy. Throughout, a clear message emerged: Oxfordshire’s strength lies in its innovation assets, but delivering inclusive, sustainable growth will require continued investment, stronger local leadership, and the active participation of the business community.
In his closing remarks, Frank Nigriello summarised the day’s conversations with a rallying call: the future of Oxfordshire depends on bold, long-term thinking and the willingness to work together.
