The future of the Business Link service for Oxfordshire companies is “uncertain” according to its top boss. Chief executive Graeme Sibley has admitted funding for the operation, which helps advise firms on growth and matches them to available grants, is unclear after March next year when secured financial backing from the South East runs out.

Mr Sibley said: “There is a period of uncertainty and we don’t know what the future holds.”

Business Link recently closed its Thame offices altogether with the loss of about 25 jobs.

More than 50 others were axed in Thame when Business Link’s Oxfordshire operation was absorbed into the South East region under new operator Serco, which took over in April.

The South East budget was cut from £25.3m to £18.1m and now there are just seven advisers remaining based around Aylesbury to cover Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, of which only one is believed to be based in the county.

Antony Beak, a former adviser in Oxford who recently lost his job, said: “This lighter-touch provision will significantly disadvantage start-up and small businesses that aspire to grow and make a valuable contribution to the local economy, but who cannot do so without the high level of support previously available.

“Regrettably, this also coincides with greater numbers of would-be entrepreneurs considering self employment as an alternative means of income after losing their jobs.”

It has also been revealed that Mr Sibley himself will step aside at the beginning of December to be replaced by Laura Pelling, currently marketing and customer insight director.

Business Link was ‘relaunched’ this month with a dramatically reduced service.

Start-up companies and those planning major growth will still have access to advisers. But other firms and individuals will have to rely on a web-based service and a call centre in West Sussex.

The future of Business Link is further clouded by the fact that the South East Economic Development Agency (SEEDA), which provides its funding, will be abolished by March, 2012.

It is not clear whether it could continue to be funded under the new Local Economic Partnerships.

But as for the current situation, Mr Sibley added: “I believe the steps we’ve taken to provide front-line support where it can have the greatest impact give us and our customers a clear focus for the future.

“We have a plan and we are confident we can deliver.”