If you are a budding entrepreneur with a high-tech company, having a guiding hand from someone with real, practical business experience can be extremely helpful. A non-executive director or a mentor can help with contacts, information and advice about what works and what to avoid, and can help to develop your own entrepreneurial skills.

However, identifying a suitable non-executive or mentor who knows about your industry can be a hit and miss affair, and even when you find someone appropriate it's not always easy to get the opportunity to introduce yourself.

Pictured above: Left; Oxford Trust Members in one-to-one sessions with the mentors. Right; The sessions continue in our Presentation Room.

Experience Exchance is an event that brings together an impressive line-up of seasoned business leaders to take part in a series of structured introductions. These potential mentors have extensive experience in growing bioscience, IT, engineering and media companies. They want to meet interesting technology companies like yours with a view to developing longer term advisory relationships.

Pictured above: Members engaged in one-to-one discussions with mentors.

Experience Exchange is an efficient way for you to find relevant non-executives and benefit from their combined experience. Jonathan Fink, Managing Director of Momentum Web Solutions, was introduced to Martin Wilkinson at the last Experience Exchange, a meeting that resulted in Martin becoming Momentum’s Chief Financial Officer. ‘The role of the Oxford Trust in making the introduction was crucial,’ explained Jonathan. ‘The context of Experience Exchange was perfect to help companies like us with a very specific need to meet very high calibre and experienced individuals who could help.’

Graham Nye from Chiltern IT agrees with Jonathan, ‘The Experience Exchange is a great way to meet non-executive directors or mentors. Networking is the only other way and it can take months to find the right person. I found two potential mentors in one afternoon.’

To register your interest by using the menu on the left. Please note that companies are normally required to secure their place with a £150-00 cheque deposit that will be refunded on the day.