In summary
As we start what is likely to be another challenging year ahead for SMEs, it is even more important than ever that you make the most out of your FSB membership. Along with our brilliant local Membership Advisors, we would be happy to chat online/in-person about any business issues or making the most of your amazing FSB benefits. Just get in touch via the links at the bottom and let’s talk....
Featured news and events
Start your 2025 with a bang at Plus X Innovation Slough
Enjoy a full week of flexible working, in a space designed to ignite your ideas, inspire creativity and connect with like-minded thinkers, so you can start turning your goals into reality – and set the foundation for a successful 2025.
From Monday 27 to Friday 31 January 2025, join our friends at Plus X Innovation and accomplish more during the week.
In-person Networking at Oxford Science Park
Join us for in-person networking at Oxford Science Park and meet with like minded business owners. This month we will be joined by Andrew Spiers - "Is your website ready for 2025?"
Book your delegate place now >
In other news
93% of SME leaders recommend Help to Grow: Management. Sign up for January now!
Small business leaders feel twice as capable of communicating their vision, mission and values, reporting greater confidence in leading and managing their business within 6 months of completing Help to Grow: Management. SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy and their growth is key to addressing the UK’s productivity gap. The Help to Grow: Management course was created to support SME leaders to increase the resilience and performance of their businesses. Join the thousands of business leaders already enrolled on the course.
Help to Grow: Management is designed for senior decision-makers in UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (5-249 employees) that have been operating for at least one year. There are limited places available for Oxford Brookes University's next cohort starting 21 January 2025, so don’t miss this chance to get the knowledge, skills and support to take your business to the next level:
Small business leaders feel twice as capable of communicating their vision, mission and values, reporting greater confidence in leading and managing their business within 6 months of completing Help to Grow: Management. SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy and their growth is key to addressing the UK’s productivity gap. The Help to Grow: Management course was created to support SME leaders to increase the resilience and performance of their businesses. Join the thousands of business leaders already enrolled on the course.
Help to Grow: Management is designed for senior decision-makers in UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (5-249 employees) that have been operating for at least one year. There are limited places available for Oxford Brookes University's next cohort starting 21 January 2025, so don’t miss this chance to get the knowledge, skills and support to take your business to the next level.
If you have any questions or wish to learn more about Help to Grow: Management, visit Brookes - Help to Grow and/or contact the team.
Find time to investigate our business supporting webinars
You may have seen that the FSB host a number of webinars on a variety of subjects and we are aware that not everyone can watch these ‘live’ due to work commitments. That is why we are pleased to remind you that when we do nationwide webinars on key issues we always try to record them so business owners can watch them later at their convenience.
We would therefore encourage you all to check out the free 'FSB On Demand' service where we have a library of some of our recent business supporting webinars for people to be able to listen to in their own time.
We have done them recently on the issues such as the impact of November’s Budget (see Budget Overview), using email to get new business (see Supercharge Email Automation), the impact of recent employment changes (see Employer law updates) and more. We also have regular 'Maximise Your Membership' events to show current (and prospective FSB members) who we are and what we do. You can see a recent one at Membership Benefits.
'FSB On Demand' can be found at Webinars Library.
Still in the news
Find time to investigate our business supporting webinars
You may have seen that the FSB host a number of webinars on a variety of subjects and we are aware that not everyone can watch these ‘live’ due to work commitments. That is why we are pleased to remind you that when we do nationwide webinars on key issues we always try to record them so business owners can watch them later at their convenience.
We would therefore encourage you all to check out the free 'FSB On Demand' service where we have a library of some of our recent business supporting webinars for people to be able to listen to in their own time.
We have done them recently on the issues such as the impact of November’s Budget (see Budget Overview), using email to get new business (see Supercharge Email Automation), the impact of recent employment changes (see Employer law updates) and more. We also have regular 'Maximise Your Membership' events to show current (and prospective FSB members) who we are and what we do. You can see a recent one at Membership Benefits.
'FSB On Demand' can be found at Webinars Library.
Support the NHS winter vaccinations campaign: Get vaccinated and get winter strong
Winter season is here. Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness. Respiratory viruses, such as flu, usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period.
Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 3 October. It is important for those who are eligible to top up their protection every year, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
The winter vaccine programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill.
Those eligible for both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine include:
- People with certain long term health conditions as defined by the Green Book)
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
All those eligible are urged to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness Winter vaccinations and winter health - NHS (www.nhs.uk). You can book using the National Booking website, or take up the offer if you have been invited by your GP practice.
Carbon Zero Grants Available for West Oxfordshire Businesses
West Oxfordshire District Council has secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to support carbon reduction efforts for small and medium sized businesses.
Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 can be awarded that match 50% of your total project costs.
Eligible projects must focus on capital improvements that promote sustainability. Examples include:
- Retrofitting buildings for improved energy efficiency, such as insulation, low-carbon heating, and smart energy controls.
- Installing renewable energy systems, including solar panels and battery storage.
- Supporting the transition to electric vehicles through the installation of EV chargers.
- Purchasing equipment to enhance waste reduction and recycling efforts.
- Implementing green infrastructure like living walls, green roofs, or water conservation systems.
To find out more please email.
Business Grant Available for Rural Businesses in Cherwell
A new business grant scheme is due to launch in October and is set to make a positive impact on Cherwell-based rural organisations
OxLEP Business are set to deliver Cherwell District Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Business Grant Scheme. Funding for this scheme has been made available through the District Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund allocation.
The new grant scheme will see funding ranging between £5,000 and £20,000 made available per application.
The application process will be available through an online portal to be managed by OxLEP Business.
For more information click here>
Help to Grow : Management Course
Comprehensive management course to help you boost the performance and resilience of your business - The Help to Grow: Management course, supported by the government and led by the University of Bedfordshire, presents a pathway to growth opportunities for businesses located in the South East of England.
Delivered in collaboration with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, Help To Grow: Management includes an in-depth training and 1:1 business mentoring – helping you apply your learnings to strategically grow your business.
This 12-week course costs just £750 and is 90% funded by the government and you can take part around your existing work commitments, accessing learning through a blend of online and face-to-face sessions.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for the Thames Valley is James Anderson. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @fsbthamesvalley
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Berks.Bucks.Oxon