Flexible working covers a whole range of scenarios, beneficial to employees with diverse needs. Its aim is to strike a work-life balance – but it isn’t always an easy journey getting there. Is flexible working just as effective as having a full-time position? Is there evidence to showcase the real impact of flexibility on productivity and wellbeing?

In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Helen Wright, Founder of 9-2-3 Jobs.

Made redundant from her job as a broadcast journalist while pregnant, Helen now heads up an award-winning recruitment agency specialising in flexible working. Having seen the impact of workplace flexibility, or the lack of it, from both sides, Helen is passionate about helping others find work that fits around their lives.

Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Communications Manager, Rob Panting, joins the conversation to discuss the support that Enterprise Oxfordshire can offer to entrepreneurs of small businesses like Helen, and shares his own experiences of flexible working.

• (00:00) - Putting the Flex Into Flexible Working… Is 9-5 a Thing of the Past?
• (01:14) - Exploring Flexible Working
• (03:06) - Helen Wright's Journey
• (05:53) - Challenges and Successes in Recruitment
• (08:53) - Impact of Flexible Working on Businesses
• (18:10) - OxLEP's Role in Supporting Businesses
• (32:02) - Personal Stories of Flexible Working
• (39:42) - Future of Flexible Working
• (52:07) - Conclusion and Farewell

Learn more about 9-2-3 Jobs

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

Visit our website / Access the Business Support Tool

OxTalks is recorded at the Oxford Podcast Studio and produced by Story Ninety-Four.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are often grouped together and have become a buzzword in the workplace. However, each term comes with its nuances and challenges.

Many organisations have a strong commitment to ED&I, but what do they actually do to ensure each area is covered? How can businesses embrace diversity in the workplace, while making it an equal and inclusive environment?

In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Laura Ayoade, the first ever Equity, Diversity & Inclusion lead at Aston Martin.

With a varied career path starting in hip hop dance to getting a master’s in international human rights law, being a performing arts teacher, and becoming an ED&I specialist, Laura is passionate about civil rights and international humanitarian law.

Laura shares her thoughts on how businesses can embrace ED&I, the benefits it brings, and how to foster an environment where all employees feel valued and listened to.

Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Communications Executive, Leona Weston, joins the discussion to share the support that OxLEP can offer to help small businesses looking to embrace ED&I.

• (00:00) - Introduction to OxTalks
• (03:56) - Laura's Career and Insights on ED&I
• (11:16) - Challenges and Strategies in ED&I
• (21:41) - Aston Martin's ED&I Initiatives
• (42:54) - OxLEP's Role and Support for Businesses
• (53:45) - Future of ED&I in the Automotive Industry
• (01:00:16) - Final Thoughts and Advice
• (01:02:25) - Conclusion and Podcast Information

Learn more about Aston Martin

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

Visit our website / Access the Business Support Tool

OxTalks is recorded at the Oxford Podcast Studio and produced by Story Ninety-Four.

In England, 1.5 million people work in social care in 1.2 million full time equivalent roles. To cope with demand, an extra 440,000 roles will be needed by 2035. So, how will the care sector cope now and in the future? How can staff retention be improved, and new people upskilled?

In this episode of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP), host Howard Bentham is joined by Amrit Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Walfinch, and Kam Gill, Managing Director at Walfinch Oxfordshire.

Walfinch is a thriving and successful company providing bespoke, high-quality care at home to individuals and families across the UK. They run a franchise model that has won national accolades being named Best for Day Care Expertise at the recent Home Care Awards.

On a mission to redefine home care and franchising for the sector, Amrit started Walfinch in 2019. Building the business up from scratch, Walfinch now has over 40 locations spanning across the nation. His sister Kam later joined the business and heads up the Oxfordshire division.

Amrit and Kam share their thoughts on the key challenges facing the care sector and solutions to these – such as retaining talent through building a skilled and trusted workforce and encouraging retention by adapting to the needs and expertise of the team.

They are joined by Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Apprenticeship Advisor, Leah Bryan, who discusses the valuable work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does to redistribute funds from large apprenticeship levy paying businesses in the county to smaller businesses with less resources available, to help cover training costs.

Learn more about Walfinch

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

Visit our website / Access the Business Support Tool

OxTalks is recorded at the Oxford Podcast Studio and produced by Story Ninety-Four.