New cohort of business leaders and entrepreneurs bring their expert experience to Oxford Brookes University

Experts from a range of companies and organisations will be sharing their top tips and experience with students at Oxford Brookes Business School.

Leaders from organisations including Jaguar Land Rover, Comic Relief, Cafédirect and the UN World Food Programme are among the Entrepreneurs in Residence and Visiting Industrial Fellows who will be supporting Oxford Brookes University students from September.

Professor Tim Vorley OBE, Dean of Oxford Brookes Business School, said: "Our Entrepreneurs in Residence and Visiting Industrial Fellows make an invaluable contribution to the Business School and the richness of the student experience."

“I'm delighted to be welcoming new Entrepreneurs and Fellows to the scheme and am excited to work with them as they support our courses and our students with their hands-on knowledge from their various businesses."

"My thanks go to our outgoing Entrepreneurs in Residence and Visiting Industrial Fellows who have contributed their time and expertise so generously to the Business School over the last two years, as well as a special thank you to those who are staying on for the 2023 to 2025 term.”

Among the new entrepreneurs is Oli Coles BEM, from Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire who is best known for multiple campaigns to support frontline workers during the pandemic. He is the founder of Hospitality For Heroes which provided the NHS with 150,000 healthy meals, raised £250,000 in public donations and organised a surprise International Nurses Day charity music concert that was streamed into hospitals across the country, featuring artists Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie, Zara Larsson, James Blunt, Mel C and Elderbrook.

Oli said: “I’m looking forward to working with students at the Oxford Brookes Business School, sharing what I’ve learnt in a fast changing business environment.”

Another is Stephanie Lvovich, the founder and managing director of Shared Planet, a consultancy based in London which specialises in environmental and social impact work with charities, governments and the private sector.

Stephanie said: “I’m excited to take on this role with the Oxford Brookes Business School because the climate crisis necessitates helping the next generation of business leaders to understand sustainability and to show them how they can make a practical difference in their future careers. I’m looking forward to doing my part to help them on this journey so that they can better understand the role that business must play in driving positive social and environmental impact today and in the future.”

The Entrepreneurs in Residence and Visiting Industrial Fellows 2023-2025 are:

Entrepreneurs in Residence:

• Adam Bastock, Founder, Small99

• Dr Simon Biltcliffe, Founder & Executive Chairman, Webmart

• Chris Blake, Director, Green Valleys CIC

• Fran Boorman, Founder, Goal 17

• Oli Coles BEM, Founder, Hospitality for Heroes

• Charly Cox, Co-Founder, Climate Change Coaches

• Gerrard Fisher, Partner - Circular Business, QSA Partners LLP

• Stephanie Lvovich, Founder and Managing Director, Shared Planet

Visiting Industrial Fellows:

• Jonathan Arthurs, Managing Director (Europe), Metrixlab

• Steve Butler, Chief Executive, Punter Southall Aspire

• Elle Covell, New Partnership Manager, Comic Relief

• Fanzi Down, Commercial Director, DPS Designs

• Paul Hutton, President, Entertainment Technology Partners

• Robert Johnson, former Global Purchasing Director, Jaguar Land Rover

• Teresa Moore, Director, AGF AGreenerFuture

• Michael Pooley, Managing Director, purpose-made solutions ltd

• Andrew Potter, Strategic Advisor, UN World Food Programme

• John Steel, Chief Executive Officer, Cafédirect

Giles Orr, Head of Business & External Engagement at Oxford Brookes Business School, added:

“This is an amazing array of people who have launched successful companies and done incredible things in industry. We are looking forward to working with them over the next two years.”

Photo Credit: Cyrus Mower.