Oxford News
Leading the way: Meet the local women in business
Three women are driving the success of the Jewellery, Watches and Silver department at Mallams, delivering expert valuations and exceptional results.
Louise Dennis, Head of Jewellery, brings extensive experience and has overseen significant sales, including standout pieces achieving impressive auction prices. Alicia Rogers, Head of Silver and Objets de Vertu, offers over 30 years of expertise, earning a strong reputation for her specialist knowledge and trusted advice.
Completing the team, Specialist and Auctioneer Jessie Edmonds adds fresh energy and recognised excellence, having achieved a prestigious global award—together forming a highly respected and accomplished team.
Lucia Goldsmiths – Jewellery with meaning, business with purpose
Since opening in Summertown in 2025, Lucy, founder of Lucia Goldsmiths, has built a thriving jewellery business known for bespoke design, expert craftsmanship and personal service. From engagement rings to remodelling treasured heirlooms, every piece is created with care and meaning.
With a passion for enamelling, Lucy blends traditional techniques with contemporary creativity to produce distinctive, timeless designs. Sustainability is central, giving existing jewellery new life while preserving its story.
Supported by an all-female team, Lucia Goldsmiths offers a welcoming space where craftsmanship, creativity and personal connection come together in every commission.
Rachel Tredwell – The Travel Fairy Godmother
Rachel Tredwell, founder of Tredwell Travel, has built a business centred on care, connection and creating unforgettable experiences. Known as the “Travel Fairy Godmother,” she delivers a truly bespoke service, tailoring every trip to her clients’ dreams and milestones.
With a background in paediatric nursing, Rachel brings empathy and attention to detail to every journey, supporting clients from planning to return. Her approach combines expert knowledge, award-winning service and a passion for responsible travel.
In an industry often driven by automation, Rachel stands out by offering something rare—genuine, personal service that turns dream holidays into lasting memories.
Women leading the way at Wise Investment
Wise Investment is an employee-owned, B Corp-certified financial planning and investment management company built on long-term relationships and strong values. CEO Alexandra Rae joined the business in 2000 in an administrative role and, through dedication and development, progressed to become CEO..
Her journey reflects the company’s commitment to recognising potential and supporting growth. While the industry continues to evolve, Wise Investment remains focused on trusted advice and exceptional client service. With a growing presence of women across the business, it continues to champion diversity, opportunity and leadership within financial services.
From NHS nurse to business owner: Building Face Oxford
When I qualified as a nurse in 2004, I never expected to run my own clinic. Over two decades, I built my career across clinical, leadership and education roles, guided by a passion for patient care.
My interest in aesthetic medicine led me to create Face Oxford, a nurse-led clinic focused on education, evidence-based treatments and natural results.
Building a business has brought challenges, but also the opportunity to grow and lead a team that shares my values. Today, my focus remains on supporting confidence, promoting long-term skin health and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Honouring heritage, creating tomorrow
Established in 1993, Lawsons Goldsmiths is Henley’s oldest jewellery workshop and is proudly owned by Laura Hewitt and Jennifer House. Supported by a team with over 100 years of combined experience spanning Bond Street jewellers, royalty, A-list celebrities, film productions and international commissions, Lawsons combines exceptional craftsmanship with a welcoming, personal approach. From bespoke jewellery and remodelling to repairs and valuations, every piece tells a story. Recent collaborations include recreating Henley’s Deputy Mayor’s Chain of Office and partnering with Henley Festival’s RISE programme, championing the next generation of creative talent.
W: www.lawsonsgoldsmiths.co.uk
Vanessa Sweeney – Driving growth and leadership at Bicester Transport
Vanessa Sweeney, Director and Transport Manager at Bicester Transport, is redefining leadership within a traditionally male-dominated industry. Since co-founding the business in 2018, she has helped grow it from a single-truck operation into a trusted regional provider.
Built on reliability and strong customer service, the company now operates across multiple sectors, including recovery and specialist vehicle transport. Vanessa’s leadership and recent FCILT recognition reflect her commitment to excellence and industry standards.
Balancing business growth with family life, she continues to drive the company forward, inspiring others through resilience, ambition and a clear vision for success.
W: www.bicestertransport.co.uk
Sam Godkin – Leading with expertise, empathy and purpose
Sam Godkin, founder of Summertown Audiology, has built her business on nearly 30 years of clinical expertise and a passion for patient care. After gaining experience across NHS and private practice, she launched her own clinic in 2022 to deliver a more personalised, patient-first approach.
Her focus is on empowering individuals with the knowledge and support to manage their hearing health with confidence. By prioritising trust, long-term relationships and tailored solutions, Sam has created a service that puts people before profit—helping patients improve their hearing and overall quality of life.
W: www.summertownaudiology.co.uk
Landygirls Landscaping UK – Redefining the Industry
Landygirls Landscaping is proving that success in landscaping is driven by skill, creativity and teamwork, not gender. Based in Oxfordshire, the business has built a strong reputation for high-quality workmanship, thoughtful design and excellent customer service.
The all-female team delivers a wide range of projects, from garden design to full landscape transformations, earning admiration for their professionalism and expertise. They are also passionate about encouraging more women into the industry and challenging traditional perceptions.
With a strong focus on sustainability and biodiversity, Landygirls continues to create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces while inspiring the next generation of women in landscaping.
Kam Gill and the Walfinch approach to care
Kam Gill, Managing Director of Walfinch Oxfordshire, is redefining what home care can be. After starting her career in dental technology, she transitioned into social care, building a service focused on helping people remain independent in their own homes.
Her team’s “Time to Thrive” approach goes beyond traditional care, encouraging activity, connection and wellbeing through personalised support and community initiatives such as Thrive Clubs.
By combining compassion with strong leadership, Kam has created a supportive culture for both clients and carers – showing that truly great care is about people, purpose and community.
W: www.Walfinch.com/Oxfordshire
T: 01235 352776
E: kam@walfinch.com
Jill Treloggen – Designing spaces with purpose and precision
Jill Treloggen, Founder and Managing Director of JT Interiors, has spent over 20 years building a successful, independent interior design business in Oxfordshire. Since launching the company in 2003, she has grown it from residential beginnings into a respected practice delivering both home and commercial projects.
Jill’s approach combines creativity with practicality, ensuring every space is not only visually striking but works seamlessly for the client. Known for her attention to detail and strong client relationships, she has built a reputation based on trust, repeat business and results. Today, Jill continues to lead her team with passion, creating spaces that truly enhance how people live and work.
Women leading the way at Finders Keepers
Eleanor Madeley and Stacey Mole are two inspiring leaders at Finders Keepers, each bringing passion, resilience and a people-first approach to their roles.
Eleanor progressed from property management into senior leadership, developing her confidence and management style while successfully leading teams through growth and change. Stacey began her career in sales and has gone on to become one of the company’s youngest Associate Directors, known for her strong leadership and ability to unite teams.
Together, they demonstrate that confidence, collaboration and continuous learning are key to success—championing growth and inspiring the next generation of women in business.
Emily Stewart – Passion, purpose and community at Dark Horse Roastery
Emily Stewart has built Dark Horse Roastery on a belief that coffee should create connection, community and positive change. With over 25 years in specialty coffee, she launched Horsebox Coffee Co. in 2014 before establishing the roastery in 2018.
Based just outside Wallingford, Dark Horse sources, roasts and supplies ethically produced coffee while supporting local businesses. Now a Certified B Corporation, the business champions sustainability, fair trade and transparency.
Emily’s hands-on approach, passion for storytelling and commitment to “people, planet and flavour” continue to shape a business that delivers meaningful impact with every cup.
W: www.darkhorseroastery.co.uk
New voices, enduring principles at Anderson Orr
At Anderson Orr, architecture is shaped by people as much as place—guided by clarity, collaboration and thoughtful design. Associate Director Iskra Garbachkova reflects this approach. Since joining in 2012, she has built her career within the studio, qualifying as an architect in 2019 and growing into a key leadership role.
Her work is defined by a people-first, environmentally conscious mindset, balancing ambition with responsibility. She leads projects with empathy, guiding teams and supporting clients through complex decisions.
Iskra’s journey embodies the studio’s culture—where experience and new voices come together to create considered, enduring architecture.
From one woman with a vision to an award-winning business empowering others to succeed
For 16 years, Gail Church has built Bicester Wills & Probate around one simple belief: helping people succeed.
That commitment extends beyond clients to her team. Jessica progressed from legal secretary to client adviser and now leads the Banbury office while raising a family. Katie started as a Saturday receptionist and today heads the Probate Department.
Now, Gail is taking that ethos even further through the Will Writers Business School, helping career changers, entrepreneurs and parents returning to work build successful businesses of their own.
A great example of leadership, opportunity and empowering others to thrive.
The assault allegedly took place in Hennef Way in Banbury, on Saturday, August 1 at about 11am.
Thames Valley Police said ‘the offender in this incident has been arrested’, and revealed only that it involved an adult man and an adult woman.
The force are appealing for witnesses to what happened, and has asked anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage, or may have seen the assault, to come forward.
It reportedly took place close to the Concord Roundabout in Banbury.
A spokesperson for the police said: “If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact police via 101 and give reference number 43260396041.”
The spacious premises over two floors on the corner of George Street and Gloucester Street needed a new business to give it a facelift.
Now, following £770,000 of renovation work from building owners the city council, Megan’s, a chain specialising in Eastern Mediterranean brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails and parties, has redesigned the premises and opened to customers.
READ MORE: MP demands timetable for new station western entrance
The smart renovation has given George Street a boost and diners have been enjoying dishes in front of the big picture windows, which are kept open during the warmer weather.
Megan’s first opened its doors in 2002 as a small antiques shop on the King’s Road in London.
To keep peckish shoppers satisfied, Megan began selling home-made cakes, gluten-free brownies and half-baked cookie dough, a gooey sharing plate featuring Nutella, pistachios and ice cream.
There are now 20 Megan’s restaurants around the UK, with most of them in London and the South East.
There are a number of tables in the brightly lit bar inside the entrance but the main dining area is behind it in part of the restaurant that can not be viewed from the street.
The dining area at the back on street level features a number of comfortable booths which can accommodate diners, while there are other individual smaller tables throughout.
Mike Carne, a former manager at the Slow & Steady pub in Abingdon Road, is now the friendly face leading the team at Megan’s By the Spires (Oxford).
Our waiter Ramyar promptly takes our orders, and is happy to chat at intervals between courses.
On a brief tour of the restaurant, a second dining area is revealed, which could also double up as a space for private parties.
We dined from the Megan’s weekend brunch venue, which features breads and dips, brunch plates, pancakes, shakshouka, kebabs, pita burgers and grills, and bowls.
There were lots of different cocktails to choose from but I was driving and selected a Virgin Megan’s – a non-alcoholic version of a Bloody Megan’s.
It tasted very much like a Bloody Mary without the vodka and fortified by a huge glass of spicy tomato juice, I set to work on the Megan’s Brunch Grill (£16.50) – a cooked breakfast – or brunch with a Mediterranean twist – oyster mushrooms presented as a kebab.
Bacon, sausage, two eggs, roast tomato and sourdough comes with butter beans but I’m not a fan so I asked to swap them out for a bowl of hashbrown rosties which were delicious.
My daughter chose bacon and maple pancakes (£15.90) without the caramelised banana and was delighted with the result.
My wife selected a vegetarian option – a mezze bowl (£13.90) featuring crispy falafel, harissa hummus, tabbouleh, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives and flatbread and enjoyed the tangy flavours.
Chicken or lamb could be added as extras to this dish if a meat version is preferred.
Baklava and ice cream seemed like the perfect combination for my dessert, although I was disappointed that the orange and almond cake was not available.
Megan’s may be a chain restaurant but the staff are local and the Mediterranean menu is bringing a series of distinctive dishes to the heart of the city centre. It’s an excellent addition to the centre of George Street, where the revamp of the former Odeon is getting started a short distance away.
We really enjoyed our visit to Megan’s – a perfect theatreland destination – and would love to return for a late night cocktail in the basement bar when I get the chance.
The politician visited the site at Goring Heath where a wildfire blazed for hours near the Oxfordshire border, calling for greater protections for the environment.
The fire broke out on Monday, July 27, destroying a field and spreading to a nearby forest area, and destroying a barn and vehicle belonging to a business owner who operated from the site.
Polanski chose the South Oxfordshire site as the setting for a video he released to depict what he described as ‘climate failure’.
Speaking to the camera, the London Assembly Member said: “I’m standing at the edge of a wood, somewhere where people normally walk their dogs, breathe in fresh air, and take in nature.
“But today, there is a deep stench of ash, and I’m looking at a pretty dystopian future, as habitats, and a local business, have been decimated.”
He described the wave of ‘infernos’ which swept the UK this summer and left a ‘trail of destruction’ behind them.
In Oxfordshire alone, firefighters were left ‘exhausted’ amid ‘relentless’ fires which blazed on green and brownfield sites from school fields to farmers’ crops, landfill sites, parks and forests.
Lee Newport, acting chair of the Oxfordshire Fire Brigade Union based at Didcot Fire Station, earlier told this newspaper: “We are at crisis point now in this country.”
Echoing the message, Polanski described the situation as an ’emergency’ and said the fossil fuel industry were directly to blame, making wildfires more frequent and intense and opening the country up to an increased flood risk this winter because of the dry, baked earth.
He said: “I know that people across the whole of the UK are scared right now.
“This was a forklift and a barn – someone’s livelihood just completely destroyed.
“But the scariest part is this is just the beginning. The weather we’re experiencing right now will be the least extreme in our entire lifetime.”
He called for emergency meetings and plans against the climate emergency to be set out by the Government, and said if they don’t deliver, his party would bring deliver them.
Polanski set out policies like taxing fossil fuel companies and reinvesting the money into wildfire prevention, bringing water companies back into public ownership to secure supply, and providing cool spaces in every community to protect people from the risks of extreme heat.
On August 14, Andy Burnham’s Labour government sent out a national emergency alert to tell people not to start fires and not to use disposable barbecues in public spaces, due to the risk of wildfires.
It came after the then-new Prime Minister had drawn criticism from environmental campaigners and other parties for failing to set out a clear stance on climate change, while controversy continues over plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, requiring government sign-off.
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