The Oxford Business Community Network has doubled in size this year, as local companies unite to bounce back from the pandemic. 

The Oxford-based networking organisation has experienced rapid growth after increasing the range of support it offers local entrepreneurs and business owners.

Run by Mike Foster and Ben Thompson, Oxford Business Community Network provides its members with networking support. It includes regular events and access to a business network.

This year, during the pandemic, the company has launched several new virtual networking sessions. It has also partnered with a radio station to launch a show for the business community.

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The Business Brunch with Mike and Ben airs every Sunday morning on Get Radio when the pair welcome three guests on the show from the Oxfordshire business community.

Mr Foster said: “Our core purpose is to provide a valued network that is accessible for everyone and build a community of local like-minded people.

“We believe people buy from people and our group provides an intimate community of Oxfordshire businesses where members can build quality relationships based on trust.”

Mr Foster who founded Oxford Business Community Network in 2009 joined forces with Mr Thompson in January this year to expand its offerings.

“Business networking needed to evolve, and we decided to re-model to create a mixture of offerings so that we appealed to a wider range of people," said Mr Foster. 

“We moved from a traditional model of regular in person events to offering the choice of monthly online and face to face events, roundtables, tours and suppers.

“The response has been fantastic, and we have doubled our membership inside four months to 100.”

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Oxford Business Community Network also provides online listings and marketing support to encourage the engagement between members and the wider business community.

Members range from corporates to individual entrepreneurs and include Barclays Bank, Aston and James, Databasix UK, and Jennings.

“The mix of members keeps the community vibrant and interesting and means if someone needs support there is usually a solution at hand,” said Mr Foster.

He added: “It has been a tough year for local businesses and the strength of the community has been so important in coming through it.

“We’ve seen businesses providing not just commercial help, but emotional support too. It comes down to people and working together as a community. We are seeing a huge determination to push on in Oxfordshire now, it is an exciting time.”

When restrictions allow Oxford Business Community Network conducts regular tours of interesting venues in the county.

It has included tour visits to Williams F1, Oxford Instruments, Oxfam, New Theatre and University of Oxford colleges.

“The tours give people access to venues they perhaps wouldn’t normally be able to visit,” said Mr Thompson.

“It is a nice way for people to network with a common interest, gain insights and learn about what is happening in Oxfordshire.”

The company prides itself on supporting local charities. Each quarter it hosts the Oxford Big Business Breakfast for charity with a star named guest speaker, with ticketing revenue going to a local charity.

Earlier this year Oxford United in the Community launched its new strategy at one of the events. Its guest speakers included Oxford United legend James Constable. Other beneficiaries have included Sobell House, Special Effect and Headway Oxfordshire.

The foray into radio has been a fulfilling experience for the pair. 

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“People get to share their expertise, and everyone learns from each show,” added Mr Thompson. “It’s been great fun.”

Mr Foster also runs The Entrepreneurs Mentor, a business coaching company and Mr Thompson owns Thompson & Terry Recruitment, an Abingdon-based recruitment agency.

The pair believe Oxfordshire can help drive the UK’s economic recovery.

“The entrepreneurial spirit in Oxfordshire is incredibly strong and the signs locally are encouraging,” said Mr Foster.

Mr Thompson added: “There is a real resolve to move forward and by working together we can only be stronger.”

You can learn more about the network here: https://oxfordbusinesscommunitynetwork.co.uk/