Introducing the OBS2025 Steering Group

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 As the Chief Executive of B4, I have been leading the creation and development of an active, collaborative, and supportive business community in Oxfordshire since 2006. 

OBS2025 was born out of a combination of our extensive event experience, including Business in Oxford, and the support of one of B4's most loyal supporters, Blenheim Palace.  

 Born in Liverpool and studied Law at Oxford, Dominic qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG & spent the next 10 years in corporate finance and investment banking (with Paribas and Barclays Capital), specialising in the media and telecoms sector. At Blenheim, he and the team are delivering an energetic vision of the evolved role of a landed estate today, not an historic anachronism but on the powerhouse of the local economy, custodians and innovators in carbon management and the heartbeat of local life. 

 Frank brings a valuable perspective to B4 members seeking insights into business development and sustainable growth.  He has been a journalist and management consultant and worked for blue chip companies including IBM, Barclays and Unipart. Frank also served as HRH The Prince of Wales' Business Ambassador for four years. He is co-chair of Earth Trust and a director of the Ideas Network 2030.

 Oxford Innovation Space is the largest innovation space network across the UK and Ireland, with over 32 spaces. We incubate and support over 870 early stage science, technology, and innovation based companies, in nearly 1m square foot of space.

I am also the Chair of the BHF "Heart of Oxford" Business Board, a non-executive Board Member at B4 and a Director at the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA).

John has enjoyed a varied career in a unique sector which has included 8 years on the Visit England Advisory Board - from 2011 to 2019 and now Chair of Silverstone Heritage Limited. With positions at Goodwood House, Knebworth House, Warwick Castle, Madame Tussaud’s and Blenheim Palace, John has been able to immerse himself in the heritage, leisure and tourism world.  

  Simonetta Manfredi is Professor of Equality and Diversity Management and Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise at Oxford Brookes University. She works closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation and leads a team to support the implementation of the University Research and Innovation strategy. Throughout her career she has led several projects funded by a range of organisations which include the Research Councils, Government Departments and the European Commission. She works closely with policy makers, businesses and other organisations to deliver transformational change. 

  Stewart is Associate Director, Business Development, Freeths. With over 20 years’ demonstrated experience in the legal sector working with Senior Management, Partners and Sector teams on the generation of market opportunities, client acquisition and development, he is responsible for the BD and marketing activities across the southern region of Freeths (Oxford, London, Bristol, and Milton Keynes).  Nationally, Stewart is responsible for developing the firm’s strategic partnerships. 

Howard is the Business Start-Up manager. Based in the Enterprise Centre, Howard and team of Start-Up advisors give all students and graduates support with any and all of their business ideas from pre-concept all the way through to fully operational status. Come and meet Howard and the team in the Enterprise Centre to move your business idea forward to the next level.

  Sarah Haywood is Managing Director for Advanced Oxford, a group of senior leaders from the area’s major knowledge-intensive businesses. 

Sarah has worked in the NHS and the pharmaceuticals industry, before working as a senior civil servant in the Department for Business. Sarah studied Biology at the Oxford University, has a Post-graduate Diploma in Management, an MA in Human Resources Management and Strategy and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.  Sarah also works as a mentor to early stage science and tech-based companies and sits on a number of advisory boards, including within University of Oxford and Imperial College, London.

Olivia Lane-Nott runs Spacecraft Consulting, an Oxfordshire-based brand and communications consultancy, working predominantly with commercial property industry clients including landowners, developers, investors and property consultancies advising on brand strategy, marketing/digital and PR/communications.

They are self-confessed data driven, tech-obsessed, producers of creatively inspired strategies, marketing and communications.