News

The Alumni Relations Office would like to invite OBA Network members to join and support the School’s official 2009-2010 Oxford Business Networks (OBNs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These are student-led initiatives meant to bring together practitioners, students, alumni and academics around a certain industry for focused discussion. OBNs focus on industry sectors, while SIGs are broader in their remit.

This academic year, the OBNs and SIGs were required to pitch their proposals to win funding and official recognition from the School. A total of 20 OBNs and SIGs are now deemed official for 2009-2010, and are managed by the Alumni Relations Office.

Five core OBNs strategic to the School and Careers Office run each year. These include:

Finance OBN

Social Entrepreneurship OBN

Management Consulting OBN

Private Equity OBN

Entrepreneurship OBN

This year’s winning pitches are:

Energy and Resources OBN

Healthcare OBN

Leadership SIG

Social Finance OBN

Women in Business SIG

Other groups receiving School recognition and funding include:

Asia Pacific SIG

Environment OBN

Media and Marketing OBN

Real Estate OBN

Strategic Focus on Africa SIG

Technology OBN

International Management OBN

Retail & Consumer Products OBN

Oxford Volunteer Consultants (OVC)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) OBN

Call to Get Involved
We are hopeful that alumni will continue to elect in to these networks for general interest or perhaps to serve as mentors, offer industry advice, offer company tours, serve as speakers for events, or lead industry-focused educational workshops for students and fellow alumni. The level of involvement and the manner in which you would like to become involved remains entirely up to you.

How to Join
Click on the OBN/SIG above, or visit the Saïd Business School network in GroupSpaces at: http://sbs.groupspaces.com
Click on either “Join Group” (where you will need to register an account) or “Join Mailing List”


OBN/SIG Events Promotions
The Alumni Relations Office will be sure to keep OBA Network members informed on relevant OBN/SIG events through the year via the OBA website and OBA eNewsletter. But if you are registered as a member of one of the groups, you’ll receive direct communications from them regarding all of their events and activities.

Let Us Know
We hope you as an OBA Network member find this information useful and valuable. The current crop of students is very excited and keen to engage with you regarding these initiatives this year.

If you have any questions, ideas or information regarding the OBNs/SIGs, please contact Ladd Thurston in the Alumni Relations Office at: ladd.thurston@sbs.ox.ac.uk