A FOURTH generation Dorset baker will be the keynote speaker at an event for family businesses.

Steve Oxford – whose family business Oxford’s dates back to 1911 – will share some of the secrets of its longevity and family values.

He will speak at a Family Business Connect event held by business advisers PKF Francis Clark at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, next month.

Oxford’s story began in 1911 when Frank and Olive Oxford bought the village bakehouse in Alweston near Sherborne, which had already been standing nearly 100 years.

The ovens used today were installed in 1921 and the firm’s largest dough mixer is the last working one of its kind in the world and is 75 years old.

Mr Oxford, who is known as the original ‘on stage baker’ will give an insight into how Oxford’s have moved with the times while keeping traditional family values – now also offering lunches, bakery courses and demonstrations.

He said: “We are very much the original artisan bakery. We’ve been baking since 1911, during world wars, supermarket dominance and through times where baking was just not fashionable. We’ve harnessed the skills and techniques that other bakeries crave, to give you a premium quality product, from a bakery with real heritage – and I want to share some of the secrets of our success with other family businesses.”

James Robinson, managing partner at PKF Francis Clark’s Poole office, said: “This event is aimed at family businesses of two generations or more. It gives an opportunity for them to share experiences and for focused discussion around issues that are unique to working in a family business.

“The Dorset region is predominantly made up of businesses owned and managed by families and employing a high percentage of the county’s workforce.

“As a long standing specialist provider in the field of family business advice, we work closely with these businesses and are passionate in our support for them, as advisers and not ‘just’ accountants.

“However, running a family business can be a hugely complex process, with many different relationships and issues to take into account which are not always present in a non-family enterprise.

“Our Family Business Connect events give families a chance to not only share experiences but learn from each other, current, previous and future generations.”

The event is on Tuesday, February 11, 4.30pm, and includes a talk entitled It Pays to Plan, plus break-out groups, networking opportunities and dinner.

To reserve complimentary places, contact Chris Baker at chris.baker@pkf-francisclark.co.uk or on 01202 663685 by Thursday, January 23.