ODS, the City Council wholly owned provider of essential and commercial services in Oxford and Oxfordshire, has released its 2023/24 Economic Impact Assessment.
It reveals a total contribution of £65.6 million Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy and the support of over 1,150 jobs.
Established in 2018, the organisation provides a wide range of statutory and commercial services, including waste management, property maintenance, highways and fleet services.
The report, commissioned from SQW, details ODS's economic, environmental, and social contributions to Oxford and the wider region. SQW are experts in public policy and work with clients to research, implement and evaluate social and economic development. For more details please visit their website.
Key findings include:
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employment and economic output: In 2023/24, ODS employed 560 people, generating £35.1m in direct GVA. The company’s operations supported a total of 1,154 jobs, including 728 in Oxford
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supply chain impact: ODS spent £35.3m with UK suppliers, driving £20.3m in indirect GVA and supporting 311 additional jobs
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local Investment: over 50% of procurement spend in Oxfordshire with a significant part of that spend in the city.
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induced economic activity: staff salaries generated £10.2m in induced GVA, underlining the ripple effect of ODS’s employment.
Social value and community engagement
ODS embeds social impact through a clear commitment to inclusivity, workforce development, and local partnerships. Highlights include:
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accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader and a signatory to the Menopause Pledge and Armed Forces Covenant
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A less than 15.5% gender pay gap, favouring women; an uncommon and positive benchmark in the industry
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a thriving apprenticeship scheme with 15 apprentices, 73% of whom are aged 21 or under
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community partnerships with local schools, charities, and rehabilitation programmes, including employment support for individuals with convictions.
Environmental leadership
As a holder of ISO 14001 and PAS2030 certifications, ODS is accelerating Oxford’s low-carbon future. Key initiatives include:
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a 63% reduction in carbon emissions since 2014/15
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an electric fleet now representing 32% of all vehicles
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maintenance of 900 acres of green spaces, and community education on sustainability through schemes like Podback, which collects and recycles Oxford residents’ coffee pods as part of their kerbside recycling and waste collections, and the Waste Education Programme.
Comment
"ODS is more than a service provider – it’s an engine for inclusive, sustainable growth in Oxford. This report shows how ODS is delivering economic value while putting social and environmental purpose at the heart of what it does."
“ODS"s sustainability work is essential to support the ambition to make Oxford a greener city. Of course there is more to do. ODS’ Carbon Management Plan charts a path to net zero for the company through investment in clean energy, building decarbonisation, and cultural change.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies
“It’s great to see the excellent contribution ODS makes across a range of measures in Oxford and beyond as set out in this report by SQW. Our strap line is ODS – Doing Good – and we mean it.”
Simon Howick, Managing Director, ODS
To read the full report visit the ODS website.
About ODS
ODS is comprised of ODS Limited (ODSL) and ODS Trading Limited (ODSTL). ODSL delivers statutory services and maintains Oxford City Council’s housing stock. ODSTL offers commercial services to businesses and organisations across the Thames Valley. Together, ODS is a vital contributor to Oxford’s economic resilience, environmental goals, and inclusive community ambitions.
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