The Department of Economics at the University of Oxford today announces Oxford Elevate, the new name and brand for its executive education portfolio, formerly known as the Oxford University Business Economics Programme (OUBEP).
Oxford Elevate reflects an evolution of the Department’s long-standing commitment to supporting international business leaders with rigorous economic insight to navigate an increasingly complex global environment. Its flagship programme remains Economics for Business Leaders, a hybrid course for senior executives from multinational organisations around the world, now in its 74th year.
More Than Education: A Transformation in Thinking
The new brand is built on a philosophy that goes beyond knowledge transfer. Oxford Elevate programmes focus on sharpening how leaders approach complex problems, combining rigorous economic analysis with practical frameworks for decision-making in a global context.
"Some programmes teach you how to lead. We remind you how to think," said Professor Jean Paul Carvalho, Director of Oxford Elevate. “The most pressing challenges facing businesses today, from supply chain disruption to geopolitical uncertainty, require careful economic reasoning and the ability to question assumptions. Oxford Elevate equips leaders with the tools and judgement needed to navigate complexity with confidence.”
The Oxford Advantage
The courses, designed and taught by world leading economists from the University of Oxford, focus on transforming a participant’s fundamental approach to problem-solving. Attendees are selected from a carefully curated group of ambitious and brilliant individual leaders recognised for their professional judgement and influence within global organisations
John Downie, Chair, Oxford Elevate Steering Committee and Managing Director at Accenture, commented on the launch: "The rebrand to Oxford Elevate signifies the elevated experience and outcomes we deliver. This is not business-as-usual learning; this is Oxford thinking. Participants leave with a sharper lens through which to assess economic evidence and its implications for business decisions. They join a unique, global network of peers who will be shaping the global marketplace alongside them."
The focus on fostering a strong peer network is integral to the Oxford Elevate experience, ensuring that collaboration with fellow ambitious leaders is as valuable as the faculty-led teaching.
Programmes and Enrollment
Oxford Elevate’s flagship hybrid programme, Economics for Business Leaders, and other specialised courses, are open to senior executives globally. Previous participants have joined from sectors including manufacturing, banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, engineering and infrastructure, energy, consulting and government offices. Organisations represented include Accenture, the Cabinet Office, Natwest, NHS Blood and Transplant, Novartis, Procter and Gamble, and Shell.
Interested individuals and organisations can request a prospectus and find application details on the new Oxford Elevate website.
The new brand will officially launch with a communication and marketing campaign throughout January 2026, driving awareness among senior executives in international corporations. Prospective participants will be invited to find out more about Oxford Elevate programmes via webinars and events throughout Q1 2026.
