Business leaders, founders and professionals from across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds gathered at Cokethorpe School near Witney this week for the latest edition of the highly regarded Business Breakfast Forum series run by Cokethorpe Enterprises, part of the Cokethorpe group.
Held each term, the forums have become a well-established fixture in the regional business calendar, bringing together local employers, senior leaders and the School’s extensive network of business-owning parents for a morning of networking, discussion and insight.
The latest event explored the theme of leadership, examining how it has evolved in today’s fast-changing business landscape and what it now takes to lead effectively across both organisations and wider communities.
Guest speaker Charlie Maynard MP shared insights from his career spanning both international business and public service. Before entering politics, Charlie co-founded BDA Partners, an Asia-focused advisory firm, where he spent 24 years helping grow the business to more than 120 employees across nine global offices.
Charlie Maynard MP said “Leadership in business and in public life shares a common foundation, listening, accountability and a clear sense of purpose. It was a pleasure to join so many local business leaders at Cokethorpe to exchange ideas on navigating change, supporting growth and building stronger communities.”
The event also provided attendees with valuable networking opportunities over breakfast, alongside discussion on leadership, innovation and the future of business in the region.
Dr Sarah Squire, Head of Cokethorpe School, added “It was fantastic to see so many business leaders come together for this term’s forum. Our Business Breakfasts are hugely important to us, as a platform for businesses to connect and share insight, across learning, leadership and the local community. They also further inspire our pupils about opportunities in the world of work.”
Cokethorpe Enterprises’ Business Breakfast Forums regularly attract high-profile speakers from across business, politics and industry. Previous guests have included entrepreneur Levi Roots and senior leaders from the retail and agricultural sectors, creating a platform for meaningful discussion on topics ranging from leadership and disruption to artificial intelligence.
This term’s forum was kindly sponsored by Clifton Bookkeeping, Philip Dennis Foodservice and JJ Hunt Photography, reflecting the continued support of local businesses for the School’s networking and engagement events.
Through initiatives such as its Business Breakfast Forums, Cokethorpe has cultivated a valuable network of business leaders and entrepreneurs, providing pupils with unique access to mentoring opportunities, workplace insights and professional connections that help bridge the gap between education and the world of work.
Cokethorpe Enterprises operates within the Cokethorpe group with a distinct commercial focus, hosting teambuilding, training, away days, weddings and other celebrations, alongside facilities hire and a social events calendar.
Set within 150 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire parkland near Witney, Cokethorpe School is an independent co-educational day school for around 600 pupils aged four to 18. The School combines academic excellence with a strong emphasis on personal development, preparing young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.
