Oxfordshire is a county with plenty to offer. Not only does it have a world-renowned history, it has a growing reputation for progressive thinking, innovative strategy and highly effective delivery. 

We want a world class economy in Oxfordshire, and that’s where you come in – as you inspire and lead the development of Oxfordshire’s economic vision, develop a strategy for its realisation, and engage businesses as well as local and central government in its delivery. This will be a very hands-on role leading a small team to make a genuine difference to local people’s lives.

A highly motivated self starter, you’ll need the ability to inspire confidence amongst our political and business leaders (on a local, regional and national level). At the same time, you must have exceptional influencing and negotiation skills, and a full understanding of economic development.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit www.oxfordshire-topjobs.co.uk. For an informal discussion please contact Julie Towers on 0115 934 7344.

Closing date: 30th June 2008.
Interviews: w/c 14th July 2008.

Every year Shell Step places hundreds of highly motivated students with small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) throughout the UK to undertake business projects during their summer breaks. 

The programme gives businesses the opportunity to add significant value to their bottom line. In 2007 a quarter of students added more than £15,000 worth of value to their host company’s business, while two thirds added at least £5,000. Projects are tailored to companies’ specific needs, so can help small businesses to plug their skills gaps.

To find out about taking part in the programme, visit www.shellstep.org.uk.

In 2007 Martin Energy Limited offered a placement to Ian Whiteside, a computer science and mathematics student. During his eight-week placement he was able to create a revenue stream for the business worth an estimated £4.3million with his new service, the “Demand Buyback System”.

 Alastair Martin, managing director at Martin Energy Ltd said: “Iain’s skills and ability were the perfect fit for our business and for the project he ultimately ended up delivering.  His work will contribute to a product that could generate significant new income for the business.”

The 2007 students helped SMEs to produce new and enhanced products, marketing strategies, bespoke software, efficient administration processes and lots more. They provided solutions that saved time and money, developed new capabilities and outlined potential new markets. They also gained valuable business experience and transferable skills.

James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, said: “Shell Step lets undergraduates cut their teeth in the world of work and also helps the businesses they work for.  Now in its 22nd year, it’s great that the programme continues to be so popular and beneficial to all involved.”

Shell Step is a leading creator of tailored work placement programmes for students in small and medium-sized businesses. A national network of skilled agents matches student applicants, from all academic backgrounds, to predefined business projects that take place during the summer.

Shell Step enables SMEs to gain added value to their companies while taking on work experience placements. Businesses get a taste of the increased knowledge and expertise of students giving the company a burst of energy and ideas that can help make the future business better.

Ends
For further information contact:
Louise Vaughan louise.vaughan@bluerubicon.com
Sophie Stringer Sophie.stringer@bluerubicon.com
or call 020 7260 2700
Notes to editors

Shell Step is a direct response to the challenge that faces tens of thousands of UK graduates when they move from the world of study into employment. Shell Step places undergraduates into small and medium sized businesses to undertake a specific business or technical project, driven by the needs of the host business.

Also included in Shell’s social investment programme in the UK are:

• Shell Springboard is a programme that provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business ideas from across the UK. In 2008 Shell Springboard has provided 9 awards of up to £40,000. Through Springboard Shell supports those people and businesses who, through innovative ideas, are trying to seize the commercial opportunities presented by climate change.
• Shell Livewire is a highly valued and well-used source of encouragement and advice for young entrepreneurs. Last year alone some 25,000 entrepreneurs got support and advice from the programme.  220,000 people visited the website.
  At the heart of Shell Livewire is a support network that delivers insight and advice. It offers both tailored and general support and helps young entrepreneurs foster useful relationships with others like them - who understand the challenges faced by new businesses and young entrepreneurs.
• Shell Education Service provides a series of unique, interactive physical science workshops to 50,000 young children a year.  Workshops are designed to support directly the UK curricula and are run by expert leaders, who travel to hundreds of individual primary schools.  There, the teachers watch as the workshops are delivered and take ideas to boost their own science lessons.  

The Shell Education Service also organises science days with local communities and supports trainee primary teachers, building their confidence and skills in teaching science.  Shell has supported this programme for over 50 years, listening to teachers and moving from providing books and posters to today’s hands-on expertise.

For more information, visit www.oebp.org.uk. 

It acts as a brokerage service between buyers throughout the London 2012 supply chain, and potential suppliers. CompeteFor also provides access to business support services; building skills and capacity to ensure that businesses across the UK can access opportunities linked to the hosting of the London 2012 Games.

CompeteFor has been developed on behalf of the English Regional Development Agencies and UK Devolved Administrations by the London Development Agency, working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

For more information, visit www.competefor.com 

Economic Partnerships and Business Link are facing significant change. How would you set their agenda?

This is your chance to have your say and drive policy in practice! Come along to learn about these agencies, say how you would like them to develop, learn how to get involved and hear how the IoD views their role now and in the future.

Location:  The Oxfordshire Golf Club, Rycote Lane, Nr Thame, OX9 2PU
Date:  Thursday 24th April 2008
Timing:  18.30-21.30
Cost:  £35 Members and Non Members

For more information or to download a reply form, click here. 

To register for the event, please contact admin.buckinghamshire@iod.net. 

Miles Templeman, Director General of the Institute of Directors, attended the Experience Exchange to observe the event and see the benefits everyone took from the evening. “Many young entrepreneurs would benefit greatly from an experienced mentor. The Oxford Trust is doing it well, and I want to see if the IoD would take this on all over the country.”

Finding a suitable non-executive or mentor who knows about your industry can be a hit and miss affair, and even when you find someone appropriate it’s not always easy to get the opportunity to introduce yourself. At the Experience Exchange The Oxford Trust made the all-important introductions providing the opportunity for the companies to receive a guiding hand from someone with real, practical business experience.

Dave Fletcher of White October commented “I received some excellent advice during the evening which I am sure will prove invaluable. The Experience Exchange is an ideal way of making contact with individuals who can really help”.

Amanda Nolte, from The Oxford Trust counted over seventy introductions within the first hour, noting “from the quality of the companies and business leaders involved and the matching of interests, it would be hard not to image some of these introductions developing into longer working relationships”.

For more information about the Trust’s business support initiatives please contact:

Richard Mercer, Business Support Manager -   richard.mercer@oxtrust.org.uk

CBG Consultants, based in Farmoor near Eynsham, have been shortlisted in the Excellence in Skills & Developmnent category of the South East Business Awards.  CBG Consultants provide a range of sustainable mechanical and electrical engineering services - for more information, visit www.cbgc.com.   

Crompton Technology Group (CTG) from Banbury has been chosen as a finalist in the Manufacturing Category for the South East Business Awards.  CTG designs and manufactures products made from advanced composite materials - for more information, visit www.ctgltd.co.uk. 

The Awards Ceremony is being held on 6th March 2008 at Ascot Racecourse, where the keynote speaker will be Digby Lord Jones, Minister for Trade & Investment.  More information about the awards is available at www.southeastbusinessawards.co.uk.

The mobile phone networks review was published in the January/February 08 issue of Ethical Consumer and covered all major suppliers, including Virgin, O2, T-Mobile, Talk Talk, Orange, Vodafone and ‘3’. The Phone Co-op’s mobile service starts at £29 per month and is a SIM-only service designed to encourage users to reduce their environmental impact by re-using their existing handset.

For more information about Phone Co-op mobile services for residential and business customers, visit www.thephone.coop

Advice from OBE comes in several forms; the most popular being through one-to-one advice sessions with expert business mentors offering a wealth of experience from running their own businesses.  Sessions are free and confidential, and can help tackle any business issues, such as finance, VAT, sales or marketing.  OBE also runs a series of events that focus on some of the issues facing new businesses. 

If you are interested in learning more about OBE, visit www.oxonbe.co.uk or call 0870 240 3686.  A contact form is also available on the website. 

Management Development Flyer.pdf

Event Programme and Objectives.pdf