Entrepreneurs in Residence

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) are part of our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) and Visiting Industrial Fellows (VIFs) scheme.

The Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) scheme engages individuals with the background, experience and enthusiasm to deliver entrepreneurial and related insights and support work for our students, staff and stakeholders.

Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) are part of a network that aims to provide learners and staff at OBBS and across the University with rapid access to a broad and deep base of knowledge, experience and contacts. Specifically, they will be providing insight into the challenges of creating and growing a business, and how an entrepreneurially-minded individual can succeed.

As well as providing inspiration for our students, Entrepreneurs in Residence are embedded across the Business School, contributing their thinking and insights into new programme development, community engagement and knowledge exchange.

Entrepreneurs in Residence are selected according to criteria including their potential contribution, ‘fit’ with the Business School ethos, and engagement with relevant subject areas. Actual activities may vary between the Entrepreneurs in Residence, but may include some of these activities:

  • Delivering School-wide lectures to staff and students
  • Participation in network events & discussion forums to aid the development of OBBS teaching and research
  • Contribute to OBBS programme development
  • Providing insight into current issues
  • Signposting / providing opportunities for live industry projects
  • Guest lectures on programmes
  • Providing mentoring to students and/or staff
  • Attending graduation ceremonies
  • Acting as an OBBS ambassador to provide wider links/contacts to enhance OBBS activities

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence 2023-2025 are:

Adam Bastock
Adam Bastock

Adam Bastock is the founder of Small99.  With 99% of the economy made up of small businesses, Small99 provides practical guidance on how they can reach net zero quickly and accelerate the country's transition to net zero.

Dr Simon Biltcliffe
Dr Simon Biltcliffe

Simon Biltcliffe is an IoD Director of the Year, he is the founder and CEO of sustainable integrated marketing agency Webmart, and the world’s first digitally driven print platform, Trade Print Management.  He is a widely acclaimed for his talks on his innovative business model, employee motivation and running a thriving organisation in the 21st century.

Chris Blake
Chris Blake

Chris Blake is a passionate champion of social and community enterprise. He was a founding director The Green Valleys, supporting community responses to climate change that were joint winners of NESTA’s Big Green Challenge in 2010. He was a founding Director and the first Chair of Community Energy Wales. Chris is a former CEO of Elsevier m Science (UK) and a director of Unruly Media.

Fran Boorman
Fran Boorman

Fran is an award-winning business leader, founder of Goal 17 Ltd, an award-winning social enterprise, and the ground-breaking tech start-up Wowment Ltd who are using Machine Learning and AI to evaluate the societal impact of mentoring. In 2019 Fran was named Global Woman’s Number 1 Female Business Influencer. She chairs a supervisory board to the UK Government to progress Women in Enterprise.

Oli Coles BEM
Oli Coles BEM

Oli is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur who has founded a number of businesses spanning investment management, digital marketing, tech4good and non-profit. Recognised in 2021 by the Independent as one of fifty inspirational people driving positive change in Britain, Oli is best known for his multiple campaigns to support frontline workers during the pandemic. He is the Founder of Hospitality For Heroes and Windō. 

Charly Cox
Charly Cox

Charly Cox is an award-winning climate change coach and Co-Founder of the Climate Change Coaches, a certified B Corporation. Charly and her team pioneered the field of climate change coaching and she co-wrote the first book on the subject.  A serial entrepreneur, Charly previously built a creative agency in West Africa, overcoming the challenges of post-conflict Sierra Leone to serve the UN and its agencies, major charities and three governments.

Gerrard Fisher
Gerrard Fisher

Gerrard is a leader in circular business model creation. He runs three businesses (including one certified B Corporation) and advises clients on how to change from "make, sell, use, dispose" to circular options that extend product life, maximise value, improve profit and reduce resource consumption.

Stephanie Lvovich
Stephanie Lvovich

Stephanie Lvovich is the founder and Managing Director of Shared Planet, a consultancy specialising in environmental and social impact work with NGOs, governments and the private sector. Before founding Shared Planet, Stephanie worked for nearly 30 years in political research, public affairs and policy and reputation management consulting, advising global corporations.

Guest Lectures and Roundtable Discussions

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence are delivering a series of guest lectures and thematic roundtable discussions throughout the year. These are open events that are free to attend and cover a range of topics from strategy to sustainability. The lectures and discussions take place in person at Oxford Brookes and are all streamed online. 

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence 2021-2023 were:

  • Fran Boorman, Founder, Goal 17
  • Adrienne Bloch, Founder, Bloch Solutions
  • Simon Biltcliffe, Founder and CEO, Webmart
  • Renee Watson, Founder and Head of Explosions, The Curiosity Box