The Houses of Parliament in London recently played host to business leaders and Westminster dignitaries as representatives from across this region’s growth hub cluster launched its highly anticipated Cluster Impact Report – showcasing five years of transformative support and significant impact.
Held in one of the House of Commons’ spectacular terrace dining rooms on 29 January, the event brought together stakeholders from across Oxfordshire, the South Midlands, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and New Anglia for a morning of insights, business stories and future‑focused discussion.
Guests were welcomed by Steve Darling MP – standing in for the original host, Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney – who opened the session by emphasising the critical role SMEs play as the backbone of the UK economy, as well as highlighting why supporting them is so important.
Sarah Beal of Enterprise Oxfordshire Business – the Growth Hub for Oxfordshire – and Ruth Roan of South Midlands Growth Hub then introduced the new report, highlighting the collective achievements of the region’s five Growth Hubs and outlining how their collaboration has strengthened business support delivery during a period marked by significant economic change.
This was followed by presentations from two businesses – defence and security‑focused, Bloxham‑based 5C Consulting, representing Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire‑based care provider Cube Disability.
Both shared first‑hand accounts of how the Growth Hubs have shaped their respective journeys and during their presentations, the two businesses highlighted how accessible advice and connections to specialist support had a positive impact on their growth plans, resilience and long‑term sustainability.
The report itself highlighted impressive outcomes from across the Growth Hub Cluster between 2020 and 2025.
Across the five‑year period, Growth Hubs in Oxfordshire, the South Midlands, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and New Anglia collectively:
- Supported 92,719 businesses
- Delivered 178,563 hours of business support
- Enabled 3,934 new business start‑ups
- Helped to create 6,970 jobs
- Helped to safeguard 6,093 jobs
Crucially, the report also demonstrated major value for public investment.
For every £1 of core government funding, the Cluster attracted an additional £24 to support SME growth, while also delivering £35 of economic and social value.
Sarah Beal, Growth Hub Manager at Enterprise Oxfordshire Business, said: “A key theme we collectively showcased throughout the launch – and via the report itself – is the Cluster’s role in simplifying the business support landscape. By acting as a trusted first‑stop‑shop, the Growth Hubs reduce complexity for time‑pressed SMEs, connecting them quickly and effectively to both regional and national programmes.
“Beyond our direct delivery, Growth Hubs have also played an increasingly strategic role, helping shape local economic priorities and contributing invaluable insights into policy design for small business growth.”
Throughout the event, the importance of building on the strong foundations laid and established between 2020 and 2025 by Growth Hubs was emphasised, as well as the need to ensure businesses can continue to benefit from coordinated support, shared expertise and an evidence‑based understanding of regional needs.
Sarah Beal added: “We hope this report firmly reinforces that the Growth Hub model works — providing exceptional value for money, supporting tens of thousands of businesses and strengthening local economies.
“As policymakers and business leaders look to the future, the report stands as a clear testament to the power of collaboration and the significant role Growth Hubs continue to play.”
Businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region continue to be encouraged to access Growth Hub support, whether they are just starting out, growing or taking on a new business challenge.
Take a look at the full report and for more information and to access business support, review this website.
Pictured above: Representatives of the region’s Growth Hub Cluster.
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