“I have no doubt that the event in September will be the biggest and best net-working opportunity yet for business and innovators. It will be a fitting tribute to the commitment and expertise Lynn has brought to the role and I wish her every success for the future.”
Venturefest Oxford is the county’s premier networking event for entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and other like-minded people, and this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary on September 12 at Oxford Brookes University.
It also marks the last event with Lynn Shepherd, the current Executive Chair, at the helm. Lynn is stepping down after four years and five Venturefests. Lynn joined Venturefest in 2014 on retiring from her role as Director of Communications at Oxford Instruments.
“I didn’t want to “retire” completely and Venturefest offered me the perfect opportunity to maximise my skills and experience, “ Lynn says. “ It hasn’t disappointed and I have enjoyed the last four years immensely. I feel very proud that the Venturefest Oxford brand has continued to thrive and grow and our events continue to be so popular and so well supported by the whole enterprise community in Ox-fordshire”.
“Our event this year is shaping up to be our best yet” she continues. “We will be in the new buildings on Oxford Brookes’ Headington Campus, and will be showcasing the amazing cutting edge technology taking place around the county. I am very excited and just know it will be a fitting 20th celebration and the perfect swansong!”
Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes and a long-standing Board member of Venturefest Oxford, commented: “I was sorry to hear that Lynn would be stepping down as Chair as she has done such a tremendous job over the last four years. Venturefest continues to go from strength to strength and is an important catalyst for the innovation, investment and entrepreneurism taking place across the county and beyond.
Professor Fitt added: “I have no doubt that the event in September will be the biggest and best net-working opportunity yet for business and innovators. It will be a fitting tribute to the commitment and expertise Lynn has brought to the role and I wish her every success for the future. I am proud that Oxford Brookes University will be hosting this year’s event and our inspirational buildings will be the perfect setting for driving forward new advances and partnerships.
The Board are currently looking to appoint a new Executive Chair and more information on the role can be found here.
To find out more about the Venturefest20 event on September 12, visit the website where you can explore the exciting programme, see who the speakers and exhibitors are, and purchase tickets. Tick-ets are £25 each and include free travel, free refreshments and free entry to all the sessions. Students are free.
