2.4 Business clusters and support networks

A number of business cluster groups exist in Oxfordshire, which focus on implementing solutions through co-operative and networking activity.

Whether defined as business clusters or support networks, business collaboration has been demonstrated to improve business performance, particularly in the areas of innovation, R&D, and skills development.

Business clusters and support networks need nurturing by encouraging collaboration and demonstrating benefits, building internal capability, promoting innovation, ensuring effective skills supply, accessing appropriate funding and maximising competitive advantage. Existing business clusters in Oxfordshire include:

• Motorsport
• Multimedia
• IT and software
• Biotechnology
• Medical research and healthcare
• Advanced Materials and Aerospace
• Opto-electronics
• Nanotechnology
• Publishing and Creative Media
• Tourism
• Environmental-related technologies
• Diagnostics

A number of business cluster groups exist in Oxfordshire, which focus on implementing solutions through cooperative and networking activity. A particularly good example of this is the Motorsport Industry Forum. The combined activity of this group of companies encouraged the development of a specialised degree course at Oxford Brookes University, which, in turn, now supplies many of the trained engineers to the industry. Another example is in biotechnology, where initial needs assessment within the business sector identified difficulties in recruiting suitably - trained technicians, which in turn led to the development of an industry-sponsored biotechnology degree course, again at Oxford Brookes University. The subsequent formation of the Oxfordshire Bioscience Network has fostered the exchange of knowledge and understanding between sector practitioners.

Spreading best practice often comes about through network activities, which flourish at a local level throughout the County.

Some 24,000 people are employed in the hotel and catering sector, supporting the tourist industry. Tourism is an important part of the economy, with visitors travelling from all over the world to the honeypot of Oxford and the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. While tourism is good for the Oxfordshire economy, it does involve providing suitable facilities and increasing the time that visitors stay. Limited resources mean that organisations must work together to promote attractions throughout the County, and provide information to visitors, and an environment that encourages a longer stay. The opportunities to increase visitors to Oxfordshire provided by the Centre of Culture in 2007, and the London Olympics and Paralympics 2012 must be grasped.

Another initiative promoting business sectors and support networks is Enterprise Hubs and Gateways. These are a SEEDA-supported initiative, providing new and established firms with better access to knowledge (mentoring and technology), investment, flexible workspace, and mutual support. In Oxfordshire, there are the North and Southern Oxfordshire Enterprise Hubs (NOEH and SOEH) and the Faringdon Enterprise Gateway.

Spreading best practice often comes about through network activities, which flourish at a local level throughout the County. The foundation of this networking culture is due, in no small part, to the work of The Oxford Trust, and has been developed and built on by numerous organisations to the benefit of Oxfordshire’s economy and people.

Business and academic networks can influence policy makers and create an infrastructure and reputation for innovation within Oxfordshire. Particularly successful and innovative networks include Venturefest, an annual conference created to draw attention to Oxfordshire's commitment to new business innovation and growth, which encourages stronger interaction between universities, research institutes and innovative organisations Europewide.

There are also a number of formal and informal networks of businesses, including the Federation of Small Businesses, the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, and Oxfordshire Town Chambers' Network. Such organisations offer members opportunities to network at local, regional, national, and even international levels