Inspiration – Contacts - Advice Are you planning fieldwork or exploration in 2008? Whether your objective is field research,conservation or adventure, this is the place to find the inspiration, contacts and practical advice you need. A key event in the RGS-IBG calendar, Explore is the starting point for hundreds of expeditions each year. The emphasis is on small projects with a research component but anyone planning an overseas expedition or fieldwork is welcome. Undergraduate and postgraduate students, teachers, services personnel and disabled explorers are particularly encouraged to attend.

Combine an opportunity to network with the science and business community of Oxfordshire with a unique lunch experience. The next in the series of ‘a Networking Lunch with a Difference’ will be exploring the technologies of the future. New technologies are continually being developed, from gecko hairs to smart fabrics, all promising an array of possible applications. Will carbon nanotubes allow us to build a space elevator? Do we want to build a space elevator? What other new technologies will affect the future? What commercial opportunities do these technologies provide? Join us for an engaging discussion about technology of the future. The event will also provide an opportunity to get up-to-date with our current activities, to find out more about the benefits of membership of The Oxford Trust and to talk to us about ways in which you might get more involved in our work. This event is free of charge to members of The Oxford Trust. Non-members will be invoiced at £15 + VAT. Booking is essential - to register please visit http://www.oxtrust.org.uk/events/293904 or e-mail mark.wearing@oxtrust.org.uk with your contact details. Alternatively, you can call 01865 728953.

After the success of the last two Experience Exchanges, The Oxford Trust are delighted to announce that a third will take place on Tuesday 5th February 2008 6pm at Science Oxford. The Experience Exchange consists of 10-minute, one-to-one, scheduled introductions with a series of seasoned business leaders who have extensive experience in growing science and technology companies. If you are a budding entrepreneur with a new high-tech company, having a guiding hand from someone with real, practical business experience can be extremely helpful. A non-executive director or a mentor can help with contacts, information and advice about what works and what to avoid, and can help to develop your own entrepreneurial skills. The Experience Exchange is a great way to meet potential mentors. Jonathan Fink, Managing Director of Momentum Web Solutions, was introduced to Martin Wilkinson at the last Experience Exchange, a meeting that resulted in Martin becoming Momentum’s Chief Financial Officer. ‘The role of the Oxford Trust in making the introduction was crucial,’ explained Jonathan. ‘The context of Experience Exchange was perfect to help companies like us with a very specific need to meet very high calibre and experienced individuals who could help.’ Graham Nye from Chiltern IT agrees …

Do you think you know a lot about our high-tech economy? Do you get roped in to trivia quizzes because of your guru-like knowledge of the local science industry? If you think you are up to The Oxford Trust’s Lunchtime Economic Knowledge Challenge or you would like to learn more about our region then come along to the next ‘Networking Lunch with a Difference’. The Oxford Trust invites you to combine a unique lunch experience with the opportunity to network with the Oxfordshire science and business community. The next in the series of ‘a Networking Lunch with a Difference’ will explore our position as a leading science enterprise and high-tech region through an innovative and interactive trivia quest that draws on fresh research that The Oxford Trust is conducting. Bring your own team or build one on the day and take the challenge. We guarantee that it will stimulate your mind and expand your Oxfordshire networks. The lunch is free for members of The Oxford Trust and £17 (+VAT) for non-members. Booking is essential, please visit, http://www.oxtrust.org.uk/events/299848 or call Richard Mercer on 01865 728953 or via email: richard.mercer@oxtrust.org.uk

The Oxford Trust would like to invite IT and related Media companies to the launch of ‘ITsON’ and our inaugural keynote presentation from Dr Jan Hruska, co-founder of Sophos, who will talk about the growth of one of Oxfordshire’s largest software companies. Sophos is a world leader in IT security and control, offering daily protection to over 100 million users in more than 150 countries. Founded in 1985 by Jan and co-founder Dr Peter Lammer, Sophos has grown from a two-person start-up into a company with more than a thousand employees. Vision, commitment to research and development, and rigorous attention to quality have been vital in ensuring the growth, and continued expansion, of one of Oxfordshire’s successes. ITsON is a series of events focusing on ICT sector-specific networking opportunities where like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs can come together to discuss common issues, to find expert solutions and to generate business referrals. The meetings are specifically aimed at companies with information and communication technology at the core of their business and those companies that span the Media-ICT sectors. Growing Sophos: from Two to over a Thousand 23 July 2008 - 6.00 for 6.30pm Science Oxford For more information and to register your …

Find out how our Social Sciences collections can help you get ahead! This workshop will give an introductory overview to our Social Science collections you can use to compliment your business research. Just opposite the Business & IP Centre you will find extensive material to help you understand different markets and industries. Our extensive Social Sciences collections cover law, economics, sociology, management and business studies as well as containing statistical and official documentation from all over the world. Business & IP Centre case study Adam Pritchard, Founder of RJA Foods, used the Social Sciences reading room as part of his research into the health giving properties in pomegranates . Adam’s “Pomegreat” juice is now sold through major supermarkets and his company has an annual turnover of £5 million.

Seize the opportunity to obtain a guiding hand from mentors with real, practical business experience. Are you a young company, a company going through change, or perhaps you would simply like to bounce some ideas off someone with real practical business experience? If this sounds familiar then the Experience Exchange is designed for you. The Experience Exchange consists of a series of short one-to-one, scheduled introductions with potential mentors who are all seasoned business leaders with extensive experience in growing science and technology companies. There are few entrepreneurs who don’t need a mentor at some stage. A guiding hand from someone with real, practical business experience can be extremely useful and can help with contacts, information and advice about what works and what to avoid, and can help to nurture your own entrepreneurial skills. However, identifying a suitable mentor or company non-executive who knows about your industry can be a hit and miss affair. Even when you do find someone appropriate it is not always easy to get the opportunity to introduce yourself. The Experience Exchange helps you to make those introductions and is an efficient way for you to find potential mentors and non-executives. Please visit www.oxtrust.org.uk/experienceexchange/ for a …