OxTalks

We hope you're enjoying Series Four of OxTalks so far. We are going to be taking a short break over the festive period. But we'll be back in the New Year with more amazing guests and inspiring business stories. From the whole OxTalks team, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2026.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

How do you build a purposeful, science-backed wellness brand that truly stands out in the highly competitive and saturated UK market?

In this insightful episode, host Howard Bentham welcomes Catherine Hurley Arbibe, founder of the award-winning brand, NEWROAD. Catherine shares her remarkable career journey, from studying medicine at Oxford to a stellar modelling career on the cover of Vogue, and finally, to launching her successful gut health supplement. 

The conversation reveals the challenges of gaining a foothold in a sector now valued at $224 billion in the UK, with consumers spending 31% more on wellness compared to 2019. Catherine discusses how the American Gut Project's findings on the importance of 30 different plant foods a week became the scientific foundation for her organic, freeze-dried product. 

She offers invaluable lessons on maintaining brand authenticity, the complexities of sourcing and production, and the strategic support needed to scale a mission-driven startup against industry giants. 

• (00:00) - Welcome to OxTalks
• (03:45) - The Genesis of NEWROAD
• (06:23) - Scaling to a Commercial Business
• (08:46) - The R&D Challenge
• (10:03) - The Philosophy and Origin of the Name 'NEWROAD'
• (12:46) - Making the Product a Viable Business
• (16:04) - From Oxford Medicine Student to International Model
• (18:09) - Reflecting on a Sensational Modelling Career with Storm and Vogue
• (26:02) - Strategy, USPs, and Authenticity
• (33:17) - Future Expansion and the Relationship with Oxford Food Hub

Catherine Hurley Arbibe: Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEWROAD, an award-winning, science-backed wellness brand focused on gut health and plant diversity. A former international model who appeared on the covers of Vogue and Elle, Catherine's unique background includes medical studies at Oxford University. Her expertise lies in translating cutting-edge microbiome research into high-integrity, whole-food supplements, developed in consultation with scientists from the University of Oxford and other global institutions. She and NEWROAD are committed to social responsibility, including supporting the Oxford Food Hub.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

What does it truly take to transform a local business into a world-class global enterprise?

In this insightful conversation, host Howard Bentham speaks with Liz Lewis-Jones, the CEO of Liquid, an award-winning integrated communications agency. Liz shares the compelling story of launching her business in a room above her mother's garage in 2004 and scaling it across 26 jurisdictions and 20 time zones, with offices in the UK and Australia.

This episode is an essential listen for ambitious SMEs considering international expansion, exploring the challenges of navigating new cultures, complex tax laws, and fluctuating exchange rates. Liz candidly shares her "glass half full" approach and the strategic moves—including acquisitions and leveraging new trade agreements—that fueled Liquid's immense growth, even winning Global Agency of the Year.

Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks is your partner in tackling business challenges and achieving your goals, giving an insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does to support local organisations and communities. OxTalks host Howard Bentham talks to successful leaders from Oxfordshire and beyond to hear their advice to help your business flourish.

This week, host Howard Bentham speaks with Veena Virahsammy, the founder of Oxford Creators, a not-for-profit alternative education provision (AP) born out of her own personal experience supporting her own son. Veena details the need for tailored support hubs that cater to neurodiverse and misunderstood children.

The conversation highlights the innovative approach of integrating emotional regulation and therapy through practical activities like boxing, podcasting, and music. With the number of children and young people with an Education and Healthcare Plan (EHCP) rising by over 10% in the last year alone, this provision is more critical than ever.

Veena also discusses the necessity of running a not-for-profit like a business and her ambitious expansion plans with Resolve Alternative Provision to raise the bar for AP standards nationally. Tune in to understand how a creative approach to education is building the next generation of resilient talent.

• (00:00) - Welcome to OxTalks
• (01:23) - Exploring Alternative Education Provision
• (03:08) - Vina's Personal Story and Motivation
• (04:41) - Setting Up Oxford Creators
• (05:55) - Unique Approaches in Alternative Education
• (08:19) - Success Stories and Impact
• (11:30) - Challenges and Gaps in the System
• (15:59) - Future Plans and Expansion
• (19:08) - Networking and Business Support
• (28:18) - What's Next of Oxford Creators

Veena Virahsammy: Veena is the CEO and Founder of Oxford Creators CIC, an alternative education provision (AP) she launched in 2022 after years of navigating the system to find support for her son. A highly successful entrepreneur and former Channel 4 award-winning radio presenter, Veena leverages her background in media, clinical hypnotherapy, and video marketing to provide a creative, therapeutic, and practical curriculum for students at risk of exclusion. She is also a founding partner in Resolve Alternative Provision, aiming to expand this innovative model across the UK.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

Welcome to Season Four of OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond, to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.