Useful Links

The following organisations can provide complementary advice and services to those of Oxfordshire Business Enterprises. For your local authority services, click on the logos at the bottom of this page.

Business Startup & Finance

British Franchise Association

Most franchisors operating in the UK are members and information on them can be obtained from the BFA http://www.british-franchise.org.uk

British Business Angels Association

The new national trade association for the UK’s Business Angel Networks. It's backed by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. http://www.bbaa.org.uk/

Business Link Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

The local Business Link franchise offering advice and help on all aspects of running a business. The website also has details of events across the MKOB area. See also Business Link Start-Up Workshops. Information & Booking http://www.businesslinksolutions.co.uk

British Venture Capital Association

The BVCA represents most major sources of venture capital in the UK. http://www.brainstorm.co.uk/BVCA

Federation of Small Businesses

A national organisation lobbying for the interests of small businesses and also providing certain benefits to members. http://www.fsb.co.uk

National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

The umbrella organisation for local enterprise agencies of which Oxfordshire Business Enterprises is a member. It also has an advice website www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk for pre-start businesses to obtain online advice. http://www.nfea.com

Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub

Support to early stage businesses seeking opportunities to grow. http://www.oxfordshirehub.co.uk/

Oxford Innovation

A range of services for the knowledge based economy and to organisations interested in business growth, technology commercialisation and economic development. http://www.oxin.co.uk/

TBAC Management Services

Provides serviced office accommodation in various locations in Oxfordshire http://www.tbacsbs.co.uk

Trading Opportunities

Supply2.gov.uk

Supply2.gov.uk is the only official Government lower-value (typically below £100,000) contract opportunity portal, created by the Government to provide small businesses with access to lower-value public sector contracts - a huge potential market which can provide small businesses with the stability they need to thrive and grow. http://www.supply2.gov.uk

Young Entrepreneurs

Prince’s Trust

Helps young people aged 18-30 who are unemployed, under-employed or of limited means to start a business by offering loans and mentoring http://www.princes-trust.org.uk

Shell LiveWire

Offers business advice to young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 and also runs an annual business competition http://www.shell-livewire.org

Local Business Groups, Networking & Chambers of Commerce

Oxfordshire Chambers of Commerce & Trade

http://www.oxtowns.co.uk/coc/

Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network

Provides details of the various Chambers In Oxfordshire and their services. http://www.otcn.co.uk

Oxford Trust

At the heart of science & enterprise in Oxfordshire . http://www.oxtrust.org.uk/

Mission Possible

http://www.missionpossible.co.uk/oxfordshire/

Top Chameleon - late breakfast

http://www.topchameleon.co.uk/late-breakfast.php

The Late Breakfast - Abingdon

Meets the first Wednesday of every month . http://www.commundesign.com/sites/latebreakfast/abingdon.html

Banbury Chamber of Commerce

Apolitical organisation whose purpose is to provide information, representation and support to local businesses, both small and large . http://www.banburychamber.com/

Late Breakfast - Banbury

http://www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk

The Banbury Business Breakfast Club

Meet first Thursday of every month. http://www.banbury-cross.co.uk/breakfastclub/index.htm

Bicester Chamber of Commerce

http://bicesterbusiness.org.uk/

FABoxford.co.uk

http://www.faboxford.co.uk/

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

http://www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk/contact/oxford.asp

Wantage & District Business Breakfast Club

http://www.ourclubsite.org/index.php?club=3

Witney & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce

http://www.oxtowns.co.uk/witney/coc.html

Women in Business

The Women's Business Clubs

For business women looking to boost their personal or business reputation, gain knowledge and skills, find help in solving business dilemmas, or just get out of the office for a few hours of friendly business related chat, the Women's Business Clubs can provide a crucial lifeline of support as well as create great business opportunities. http://www.thewomensbusinessclubs.com

Prowess

Contact point for a network of business advice organisations offering tailored services to the needs of women http://www.prowess.org.uk

Government & Official Bodies

Companies House

The official UK government register of UK companies http://www.companies-house.gov.uk/

Data Protection Register

The Information Commissioner's Office: provides information on your responsibilities under the 1998 Data Protection Act http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/

Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR)

For up to date information on industry sectors & government policy for industry. http://www.berr.gov.uk/

Direct Access Government

Portal to public service information from the UK government http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Health and Safety (HSE)

This site provides information on all aspects of health & safety including current legislation, standards and rules. http://www.hse.gov.uk

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

All you need to know, whether self-employed or an employer, about tax and National Insurance. Also advice on VAT. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

Office of Fair Trading

Details UK competition policy and protects economic welfare of consumers. A visit is a must to ensure your business remains within the rules. http://www.oft.gov.uk

Patent Office

Provides information on all aspects of intellectual property including patents, trade marks, copyright and design. http://www.patent.gov.uk

South East Economic Development Agency

http://www.seeda.co.uk/

UK Trade and Investment

The Government organisation that supports both companies in the UK trading abroad and overseas enterprises seeking to locate and trade in the UK. http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Research & Economic Data

Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

Oxfordshire Data Observatory

http://www.oxfordshireobservatory.info/

The Oxfordshire Economic Observatory

http://oeo.geog.ox.ac.uk/

Business & The Environment

The Environmental Information Exchange (EiE)

Not-for-profit group based at Oxford Brookes University supporting the environmental efforts of organisations of all sizes and sectors in Oxfordshire and the South East. http://www.brookes.ac.uk/eie

If you have suggestions for other organisations it would be useful to list on this page please contact us