Shows
OxTalksSupporting your Staff: Mental Health Training and Neurodiversity Awareness in the WorkplaceHow do you stop workplace wellbeing becoming a tick-box exercise and make it something that genuinely changes how teams work?In this episode of OxTalks, host Howard Bentham speaks with Olga Zilberberg, founder of The Missing Link, about mental health training, neurodiversity, and what real cultural change looks like inside organisations. Olga shares lived experience of anxiety, panic attacks and depression, and explains why effective training starts with self-awareness, everyday communication, and psychological safety rather than diagnosis or compliance.Against a backdrop of rising work-related stress, the conversation explores what managers and colleagues can notice...
2026-02-2343 min
OxTalksWhat Makes a Good Modern Business Leader?How do you build a high-performing leadership team when 82% of UK managers have received no formal training? In this episode of OxTalks, host Howard Bentham speaks with Claire Croft, founder of Claire Croft Associates and executive coach, about what defines effective leadership in today's workplace. They explore why transparency, clarity and a willingness to develop people's potential are essential management qualities, and why poor leadership continues to drive employees away from organisations.Drawing on recent data showing that only 10% of UK employees feel engaged at work and that 41% of workers have left jobs due to...
2026-02-0947 min
OxTalksAchieving Small Business Success Whilst Remaining Purpose-DrivenCan a business grow and scale whilst genuinely putting purpose before profit? In this episode of OxTalks, host Howard Bentham speaks with Bethan Thomas, co-founder and CEO of HotTea Mama, an award-winning women's wellness tea company that has grown from a kitchen-table start-up to a brand stocked in Holland & Barrett, Selfridges and Planet Organic. Bethan shares her remarkable journey from studying tea science in China to creating a business that supports women through periods, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause.With the UK losing 150 million working days each year due to poor women's health and purpose-led UK b...
2026-01-2646 min
OxTalksMerry Christmas from OxTalksWe hope you're enjoying Series Four of OxTalks so far. We are going to be taking a short break over the festive period. But we'll be back in the New Year with more amazing guests and inspiring business stories. From the whole OxTalks team, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2026.Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a...
2025-12-0100 min
OxTalksLaunching a Successful Wellness Brand in Today’s MarketHow do you build a purposeful, science-backed wellness brand that truly stands out in the highly competitive and saturated UK market? In this insightful episode, host Howard Bentham welcomes Catherine Hurley Arbibe, founder of the award-winning brand, NEWROAD. Catherine shares her remarkable career journey, from studying medicine at Oxford to a stellar modelling career on the cover of Vogue, and finally, to launching her successful gut health supplement. The conversation reveals the challenges of gaining a foothold in a sector now valued at $224 billion in the UK, with consumers spending 31% more on wellness compared to 2019. C...
2025-11-1740 min
OxTalksGrowing Your Business Through International ExpansionWhat does it truly take to transform a local business into a world-class global enterprise? In this insightful conversation, host Howard Bentham speaks with Liz Lewis-Jones, the CEO of Liquid, an award-winning integrated communications agency. Liz shares the compelling story of launching her business in a room above her mother's garage in 2004 and scaling it across 26 jurisdictions and 20 time zones, with offices in the UK and Australia. This episode is an essential listen for ambitious SMEs considering international expansion, exploring the challenges of navigating new cultures, complex tax laws, and fluctuating exchange rates. Liz candidly...
2025-11-0342 min
OxTalksAlternative Education Provision: Building up Young People and Supporting our Future WorkforceWelcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks is your partner in tackling business challenges and achieving your goals, giving an insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does to support local organisations and communities. OxTalks host Howard Bentham talks to successful leaders from Oxfordshire and beyond to hear their advice to help your business flourish.This week, host Howard Bentham speaks with Veena Virahsammy, the founder of Oxford Creators, a not-for-profit alternative education provision (AP) born out of her own personal experience supporting her own son. Veena details the need for tailored support...
2025-10-2036 minOxTalksWelcome to Series Four of OxTalksWelcome to Season Four of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond, to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by inno...
2025-10-1300 minOxTalksPutting the Flex Into Flexible Working… Is 9-5 a Thing of the Past?Flexible working covers a whole range of scenarios, beneficial to employees with diverse needs. Its aim is to strike a work-life balance – but it isn’t always an easy journey getting there. Is flexible working just as effective as having a full-time position? Is there evidence to showcase the real impact of flexibility on productivity and wellbeing? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Helen Wright, Founder of 9-2-3 Jobs. Made redundant from her job as a broadcast journalist while pregna...
2024-11-2554 minOxTalksHow to Embrace Diversity & Inclusion in the WorkplaceEquality, diversity and inclusion are often grouped together and have become a buzzword in the workplace. However, each term comes with its nuances and challenges. Many organisations have a strong commitment to ED&I, but what do they actually do to ensure each area is covered? How can businesses embrace diversity in the workplace, while making it an equal and inclusive environment? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Laura Ayoade, the first ever Equity, Diversity & Inclusion lead at Aston Martin....
2024-11-111h 03OxTalksBuilding A Skilled Workforce For Our Care SectorIn England, 1.5 million people work in social care in 1.2 million full time equivalent roles. To cope with demand, an extra 440,000 roles will be needed by 2035. So, how will the care sector cope now and in the future? How can staff retention be improved, and new people upskilled? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Amrit Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Walfinch, and Kam Gill, Managing Director at Walfinch Oxfordshire. Walfinch is a thriving and successful company providing bespoke, high-quality care at home to...
2024-10-2856 minOxTalksTop Tips for Using AI in Your BusinessArtificial Intelligence is becoming more widespread across the business landscape, with the industry contributing £3.7 billion to the UK economy. Some sectors are already using the technology to great effect, such as telecoms, legal and finance, whereas others lag behind in adopting new systems. Many businesses remain unsure about the uses and benefits of AI technology, and some are even worried that it could replace human jobs. So, as a business leader, how can you use this technology effectively to streamline and grow operations and support the transition, while keeping costs down? In...
2024-10-071h 13OxTalksPractical Steps to Growing a Sustainable BusinessThe UK has set out clear targets to achieve net zero by 2050, with Oxfordshire set to be a leader in the low carbon transition nationally. But how can business leaders make practical changes to their organisations to support the transition, while keeping costs down? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Melanie Tattersall, Director of Sustainability and Communications at Darcica Logistics. Award-winning delivery and fulfilment services business Darcica Logistics was launched by Melanie and her husband Anthony in the pandemic in Ju...
2024-09-2350 minOxTalksIndependent Business: A Guide to Keeping up with Changing TimesHow can independent organisations, and their employees, adapt to the everchanging business landscape to compete with larger companies and achieve growth? How do they balance tradition with driving a small to medium sized enterprise forward? In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by James Clarke, Managing Director at Hook Norton Brewery. The 175-year-old Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire is still powered by steam and uses dray horses to make its deliveries, yet it survives in the digital age with thriving online sales an...
2024-09-0958 minOxTalksWelcome to OxTalks Season ThreeWelcome to Season Three of OxTalks, powered by OxLEP. OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that OxLEP does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond, to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.OxLEP:As the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), it is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by i...
2024-08-2600 minOxTalksStart-ups and Spinouts: How to Find the Right Business SupportHow does a business make the leap from a brilliant idea to a fully functioning company? What hurdles are in the way and who is there to champion and nurture entrepreneurs to give them every chance of succeeding? In this episode of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Andrea Stewart, the Head of Marketing, Communications & PR at Oxford University Innovation.Oxford University Innovation’s Impact report from last year detailed the birth of 20 new companies and a similar number of spinouts. These generated £34 million in income...
2024-04-1543 minOxTalksHow to Nurture a World-Class Innovation EcosystemHow do we create and nurture a dynamic business landscape which attracts new companies, innovation and investment? In this episode of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Artem Korolev, Founder and CEO of Mission Street. Oxfordshire is one of the world’s most well-regarded destinations when it comes to science and innovation. As competition from the likes of Silicon Valley, Boston and Beijing stiffens, how can Oxfordshire stand out as the innovation destination of choice? To help answer the question on Ox...
2024-01-2255 minOxTalksHow to Create a Happy and Motivated WorkforceWhat is the key to creating a happy and motivated workforce? How can you improve your staff retention rate? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Sarah Powell, HR Director at luxury Oxfordshire hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Today, we live in difficult times, where many vacancies remain unfilled, and employers are on a constant hunt for the right person to join their organisation. It’s a buyer’s market for job hunters – so, what can employers do to make sure t...
2024-01-0859 minOxTalksTop Tips For Building Your Personal BrandWhat if you were to turn your hobby or passion into a full-time job? Where would you start? Is there any help out there and to whom should you turn? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Paul Wilkinson, multi-award-winning photographer and founder of Paul Wilkinson Photography.Many of us have hobbies and interests outside of work that occupy our spare time, playing an important role in our social life, as well as our mental health and well-being. But turning your...
2023-12-041h 10
The Wise Why: How to Succeed in BusinessResilience and Adaptability in Business Ant Parsons
Join host Kirsty van den Bulk in a captivating conversation Ep 71 of 'The Wise Why' with her guest, Ant Parsons, as they explore the transformative power of active listening. Kirsty expresses gratitude for Ant's guidance and collaboration with OXLEP through ALP Synergy Limited, setting the stage for a rich dialogue.
Ant shares his entrepreneurial journey, unravelling the multifaceted nature of his venture supporting businesses in Oxfordshire and beyond. Dive into ALP Synergy's unique initiatives, from grants in scenic locales like the Forest of Dean to revitalising a water charity. Ant's resilience and Environment Agency background adds depth to the...
2023-12-0134 minOxTalksHow to Start a New Business: Feasible vs. FantasyHow exactly do you start a business? What is realistic and what is fantasy? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Fiona Reid, Associate Professor of Bioscience Entrepreneurship at University College London, to explore her top tips for starting a business and becoming a successful entrepreneur. The word entrepreneur sums up what it means to be proactive, innovative and passionate about business – someone who is ready to seize the opportunity. But accessing the tools and finding the means to start your own bus...
2023-11-201h 01OxTalksHow to Lead By Example: Shaping Leaders of the FutureWhat makes a good leader? How exactly can you lead by example? In this edition of OxTalks – sponsored by leading national law firm, Mills & Reeve – host Howard Bentham is joined by Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive of Bicester Motion, as they delve into his career journey and how his organisation is shaping leaders of the future.Almost everyone that has ever had a job will have had a boss. Leaders must inspire, cajole, motivate, be a great speaker and an even better listener, and of course, lead by example. So what exactly does it t...
2023-11-0655 minOxTalksThe Changing Face of the WorkplaceWelcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.In the final episode of the series, our focus is the changing face of the workplace, with a particular emphasis on the new four-day week working pattern that many organisations are adopting.If we take a long look back over our shoulders to the industrial revolution, the typical Victorian mill...
2023-07-1051 minOxTalksBacking Business, Right NowWelcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.In this episode – which is the fifth in this series – OxTalks looks into the importance of SMEs for both the Oxfordshire and UK economies. Small and medium-sized businesses are the ‘engine room’ of the UK economy and it is of vital importance that they continue to be backed. They acc...
2023-04-2446 minOxTalksOxfordshire on the Global Technology StageWelcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.Oxfordshire is home to some of the world's best and most innovative technologies, helping to address many of the planet's most pressing issues, most recently demonstrated via the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. An eminent leader at the forefront of Oxfordshire's world-renowned innovation ecosystem discuss why investment into sectors championing transformative technologies...
2023-04-1045 minOxTalksRetaining World-class Talent in OxfordshireWelcome to OxTalks, powered Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.Some of the world's most-talented people work in the county with a host of globally-significant companies calling Oxfordshire home. Last year alone spin-outs, start-ups and social enterprises from Oxford University Innovation generated over £30 million of income.Many of these people, and the organisations they work for, are delivering critical responses to m...
2023-03-2749 minOxTalksDestination Oxfordshire: Is Tourism The Key To All Sectors?Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. With major retail locations, an award-winning World Heritage site and an area of outstanding natural beauty, Oxfordshire has a visitor economy offer like no other – but like all four corners of the globe, following the Covid-19 outbreak, its tourism industry has suffered from a lack of footfall. Working with its loca...
2023-03-1355 minOxTalksCreating Opportunities For All CommunitiesWelcome to OxTalks, powered Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve. Despite being home to the world's best university for a seventh year running, Oxfordshire has many communities that suffer from deprivation, major cost of living difficulties and a lack of opportunities. The county contains 17 wards, specifically in Oxford, Banbury and Abingdon, that fall into the 20% most deprived areas in England. For those struggling...
2023-02-2740 min
The Wise Why: How to Succeed in BusinessEp 37 Empowering Women and Breaking Period Taboos with Lucy Self on The Wise Why
Lucy Self Save My Knickers: Redefining Confidence, One Period at a Time
Lucy Self, the visionary founder of SSave My Knickers, Lucy's mission is simple yet revolutionary: to empower women to feel confident and comfortable every day of the month while breaking the taboos surrounding periods and menopause. Lucy's journey began when she met Kirsty during an @oxlepbusiness8277 training course, and Kirsty witnessed Lucy's dedication to creating content for social media. Periods are often considered taboo, much like menopause, leading to frequent censorship of social media marketing related to these topics. Lucy aims to change this narrative and normalise...
2022-11-1130 min
The Wise Why: How to Succeed in BusinessEp 35 The Importance of Building the Human Connection with Sharon Smits on The Wise WhySharon Smits: The Mums Network and the Human connection. Sharon Smits, an HR professional who has lived and worked in Norway. Sharon shares her experiences of building human connections in a foreign country, the importance of the mum's network, and how she and other mothers uspported a family who had lost their mum to cancer through the COVID-19 pandemic.Sharon also talks about her career journey, from working in international office management to becoming an HR guru. She shares her insights on the HR industry, the challenges of working in a remote setting, and why bringing people together makes her...
2022-10-2135 min
The Wise Why: How to Succeed in BusinessSTOP Wasting Time and Grow Your Business FASTER!
Unlock the secrets to business growth with Paul Holmes from PCH Business Support!
In this episode of "The Wise Why," host Kirsty Van den Bulk sits down with Paul Holmes, Managing Director of PCH Business Support. Discover how Paul's transformative strategies help overwhelmed business owners streamline processes and drive substantial growth. From his work with Oxlep's Growth Hub to leading a Covid response initiative in Oxfordshire, Paul's insights are invaluable for businesses aiming to scale.
Key takeaways include:
➡️Understanding the critical transition point for businesses around £1 million turnover.
➡️The importance of strategic planning and right-to-left thinking for sustainable growth.
➡️ How recognisi...
2021-11-1928 min
The Independent Oxford PodcastS2E10 | Grant HaywardIn this episode, Rosie is joined by Grant Hayward who talks about his decision to walk away from corporate life to pursue a career focused on helping purposeful businesses and the growing scene of purposeful businesses in Oxfordshire. OSEP is a Community interest Company supporting Social Enterprise, enterprising charities and purposeful businesses across Oxfordshire. Since 2019 it has been delivering a fully funded OxLEP business support programme, eScalate, which many Independent Oxford members have benefitted from. Support include networking events, specialist workshops and webinars, peer to peer support groups and confidential 1:1 support. Because of its success, the programme h...
2021-06-2928 min
The Camargue PodcastThe Oxford-Cambridge Arc: ambitions and actions for good growthWhat’s your ambition for the Arc? What action do you want to see taken to secure good growth?In this episode, we explore economic, spatial, social and environmental ingredients for sustainable development in the Oxford to Cambridge corridor. And we talk about leadership, collaboration, design, opportunity and, of course, the impact of Covid-19 on how we view the Arc and its potential.Joining Camargue Director Ben Copithorne are Nigel Tipple, CEO at OxLep, Sarah Murray, Director and Co-founder at edge Urban Design and Alan Divall, Director at Walsingham Planning.
2020-09-2133 min
The Mastering Portrait Photography PodcastEp.57 Interview With Rob Panting, Communications Manager, OxLEP
Meet one of our clients. Rob Panting, Communications Officer for OxLEP (The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) has been a commissioning client of ours for nearly decade - starting at the Hearing Dogs charity in 2011 and then with Affinity Trust, Bucks Care and his current employer, OxLEP.
I thought it would be interesting to ask him what he values when selecting (and retaining) suppliers such as photographers. Of course, the answer to that question is a useful insight (and the answer is NOT the quality of the photography!)
It was a pleasure to chat wit...
2019-08-021h 12