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 …

The Oxford Trust invites you to the next in our series of a ‘Networking Lunch with a Difference’ - a unique lunchtime experience that will open the ‘Hands On’ doors to the Oxfordshire science and business community. Hands On is the science gallery located at Science Oxford purposely designed to stimulate and encourage children to explore the world of science around us. It is packed with exciting interactive exhibits, enthusiastic characters, and dollops of fun … getting young scientists to touch, explore and experiment. We have decided that it is time that more adults were allowed to join the Hands On world. Why should the next generation of scientists get all the fun! Why can we not blend the joyous wonder of exploring science with the seriousness of building networks so that we too can enjoy Hands On? The Oxford Trust has again dipped into its creative collection of educators to deliver a unique experience - a networking lunch with a difference that will feed the body, nourish the networks and allow the inner scientist the chance to explore! The lunch is free for members of The Oxford Trust and £15 (+VAT) for non-members. The event also provides an opportunity …

The new ITsON series continues on the 11th September 2008 with a programme exploring some of the opportunities that exist for engaging with our local universities. Universities are a valuable component of the local ICT sector, providing a wealth of expertise, research and future employees to the economy. ITsON would like to invite the ICT sector to come along to the event to hear more about potential areas for business-university collaboration, how to approach and work with the universities and to have your questions answered. It is also a great opportunity to meet similarly minded ICT professionals who are interested in building a greater ICT network within the region. ITsON aims to help build a supportive ICT network in the region that meets the needs of the industry – helping to promote collaboration, discussion and skills exchange within the sector. 11th September 2008 – 6.00pm to 8.30pm Science Oxford, St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1BD Price: £20+VAT (£10+VAT for Trust members) For more information about the event please visit www.itson.org.uk/events.html or contact Richard Mercer on 01865 728953 or richard.mercer@oxtrust.org.uk If you want to attend but you or your company are in genuine financial hardship then please contact us to discuss a …