Thursday 7 January 2021
2021 catch up in break-out rooms

Thursday 3 December 2020
“Unlimited leave as part of a growth culture”
Derek Rodgers of Gardner Leader LLP

Thursday 5 November 2020
“Collaboration – Crowd sourcing new ideas to extend or enhance our market offering” workshop facilitated by Susan Elliott of the British Business Bank

Thursday 1 October 2020
Business Development Forum
Topics discussed were:-
1. “What will the new ‘normal’ office be like and how will businesses adapt?”
2. “People buy from people: how do we get to know and trust our prospects, customers, partners, suppliers if we never meet them face to face?”
3. “What will an entrepreneur look like in 2021? Who will take advantage of the new opportunities?

Thursday 6 August 2020
“Replacing risk with re-assurance – one brick at a time”
James Bishop, Simon Claxton and Ben Butler of Macbeth’s

Thursday 2 July 2020
“People v Human Remains: making every stage count in the people lifecycle within a business”
Julie Marsden of HR Solutions

Thursday 4 June 2020
“Really?! – Are you trying to frustrate me?”
Tamsin Regnes, MBTI Practioner

Thursday 7 May 2020
Online meeting discussing furloughing, government support schemes and what the world of business will look like post lockdown.

Thursday 2 April 2020
One to one meetings

Thursday 5 March 2020
“Six questions to ask your Head of Marketing”
Dan Holt of Boss Digital

Thursday 6 February 2020
“The emotion of performance”
Dr Lindsay Joyce of The People Project

Thursday 9 January 2020
“Five IP mistakes & how to avoid them”
Stephen Carter of The Intellectual Property Works

Thursday 5 December 2019
“Business as Unusual – securing your Brand’s future”
Craig Thatcher of Greenfisher

Thursday 7 November 2019
“Running a business is a Marathon and not a Sprint”
Richard Knight of Lionheart Management

Thursday 3 October 2019
Update on the work of the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP
Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP

Thursday 5 September 2019
“Making Better Decisions: examining our natural biases, patterns of thinking and short cuts, with strategies to offset them”
Jonathan Bowring of Riversight

Thursday 1 August 2019
“How to get your LinkedIn to work for you”
Tony Silver of Solid Silver Solutions

Thursday 4 July 2019
“Executive Search: what is it and how does it add real value to a business?”
Jonathan Ross of Ross Search Consulting Ltd

Thursday 6 June 2019
“The Only One”
James Nathan of The James Nathan Experience

Thursday 2 May 2019
“Failing to plan is planning to fail – the realities of planning & implementation in creating a successful business”
John Fairley of JFP Strategic Planning

Thursday 4 April 2019
“The importance of thinking Brand not bland…”
Phil Strachan of Strangebrew

Thursday 7 March 2019
A day in the life of this Solicitor
Jonathan Davis of Clifton Ingram LLP

Thursday 7 February 2019
“Are you ready to pursue more of your personal dreams? Tips on planning for a successful exit”
Jo Croft of The Alternative Board

Thursday 3 January 2019
“‘So here’s what I think…’ – a simple man’s ideas on running a business”
Steve Munden of Business Keys Ltd

Thursday 6 December 2018
“Energy – what does the future hold for us and can we afford it?”
Richard Dormer of BCR Associates

Thursday 1 November 2018
“Thriving communities drive business value”
Susan Elliott of VitalSix Ltd

Thursday 4 October 2018
“From start-up to Award-Winning….”
Judith Tinker of M-Four Promotions

Thursday 6 September 2018
“What are the tax challenges for consultants? Is the gig economy throwing up new tax challenges?”
Alan Ross, Tax Director, Wilson Partners Ltd

Thursday 2 August 2018
“Nutrition & employee performance – the link between eating well and employee performance”
Sarah Zorab of Sarah Zorab Nutrition

Thursday 5 July 2018
“Public speaking is easy – if only more audiences were interested in what we were saying….”
Peter Francis of On Your Feet Presentations Ltd

Thursday 7 June 2018
“CSR and how to use it to manage your reputation”
Owen Hughes of EWO Communications Ltd

Thursday 3 May 2018
Update on the work of the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP
Bill Hicks, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Thames Valley Berkshire LEP

Thursday 5 April 2018
“Avoid complacency – keep an eye on your business!”
Gary Fisher of GEFConsult Ltd

Thursday 1 March 2018
NO meeting – cancelled due to snow

Thursday 1 February 2018
“No plan survives contact with the enemy – a more adaptive approach to strategy management”
Sarah Wicks of New Road Consulting Ltd

Thursday 4 January 2018
“What’s the Big Deal with Data & Analytics?”
John Morton of CPM Ltd

Thursday 7 December 2017
“Myth Busting Employment Law”
Matt Jenkin of Moorcrofts LLP Solicitors

Thursday 2 November 2017
“The Internet of Things”
Charles Paumelle of Point.io

Thursday 5 October 2017
10th Birthday Business Forum Showcase Event

Thursday 7 September 2017
“Everyone has an App in them!”
Ross Wilson of Wilson Partners Ltd

Thursday 3 August 2017
“A spotlight on mental health & the workplace”
Alison Foster of Brighter Berkshire

Thursday 6 July 2017
“Data Protection doesn’t apply to me … does it?” GDPR – the impact of the new legislation on your business
Regina Lally of Databasix UK Ltd

Thursday 1 June 2017
“Are you listening to me?”
Jonathan Bowring of Riversight Ltd

Thursday 4 May 2017
“Royal Elm Park development at the Madejski Stadium”
John Stafford Mills of The Communications Group

Thursday 6 April 2017
“Six seats on the bus – who do you want to take?”
Christine Elgood of Elgood Effective Learning

Thursday 16 March 2017 – Business Forum Digital Transformation Group
“Disrupt or be Disrupted”
Andrew Grill, Global Managing Partner, IBM Social Consulting

Thursday 2 March 2017
“Bringing the Gigabit City to Reading, Wokingham & Bracknell”
Emma Salomon of BtL Communication & Nick Gray of Cityfibre

Thursday 2 February 2017
“Cyber-attacks – it couldn’t happen to me… could it?”
Peter Gaskin of Team Discovery Ltd

Thursday 5 January 2017
“Ever wondered what management style is ‘best’ for the CEO/MD of an organisation?”
Rod Willis of Assentire Ltd

Thursday 1 December 2016
“Complexity & how it’s buggering things up…”
Mark Foden of Foden Grealy

Tuesday 13 December 2016 – Christmas Lunch
Lt General Sir Robert Fulton KBE, CEO of the Global Leadership Foundation

Thursday 3 November 2016
“The Western Heathrow spur rail link”
Emma Harmsworth of Network Rail

Thursday 6 October 2016
“Broadband and the future in Berkshire”
Colin Batchelor of Superfast Broadband

Thursday 1 September 2016
“Continuous Branding”
Craig Thatcher of Greenfisher

Thursday 4 August 2016
“The rise of the subscription economy – Pants, Bacon & Innovation”
Mark Mars of Perceptive Flow

Thursday 7 July 2016
“Intellectual Property & Intangible Assets – recognising the hidden value in your company”
Pippa Tolfts of Coller IP

Thursday 2 June 2016
“In or Out of the EU? What are the impacts for your business?”
A panel drawn from both sides of the debate including John Redwood MP & Anneliese Dodds MEP

Thursday 5 May 2016
“Everybody loves a good story”
Abhi Arumbakkam of Lifesize Videos

Thursday 7 April 2016
“It’s not business as we know it!”
Chris Farrance of Chris Farrance Associates

Thursday 3 March 2016
“One year on – Thames Valley Berkshire LEP – from strategy to implementation”
Bill Hicks, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Thames Valley Berkshire LEP

Thursday 4 February 2016
“HR – Defenders of the Faith & Keepers of the Get of Jail Card (HR’s loyalty card!)”
Julie Marsden of HR Solutions Ltd

Thursday 7 January 2016
“Social Media hasn’t gone away!”
Ellie Selby of MAXX Design

Tuesday 15 December 2015
Christmas lunch
Dame Stephanie Shirley

Thursday 3 December 2015
“Coffee from across the world!”
Alex Cox of Raw Bean Coffee

Thursday 5 November 2015
“The Referral Revolution”
James Nathan of the James Nathan Experience

Thursday 1 October 2015
“Tapping into Telecommunications”
Emma Salomon of Between the Lines Communication Ltd

Thursday 3 September 2015
“Why zebras don’t get ulcers…”
Diksha Chakravarti of FIXme Ltd

Thursday 6 August 2015
Tributes to Stephen Green
no speaker

Thursday 3 July 2015
“Business support and funding for growth””
Tim King of The FSE Group

Thursday 4 June 2015
“What it’s like to be a CEO for four months!”
Malcolm Wicks of Three Step Consulting

Thursday 7 May 2015
“A Party Political broadcast on behalf of the Green Party!”
Stephen Green of Greenfisher

Thursday 2 April 2015
“What’s in a story?”
Mark Mars of Perceptive Flow

Thursday 5 March 2015
“Thames Valley Berkshire LEP – aims, objectives & projects”
Bill Hicks of the Thames Valley LEP

Thursday 5 February 2015
“A new idea without successful implementation is just an invention… making a successful business out of innovation”
Susan Elliott of VitalSix Ltd

Thursday 8 January 2015
“From good to great – the inside story on the value of putting clients at the heart of your business”
Beth Hughes of Making Change Stick & Derek Rodgers of Gardner Leader LLP

Thursday 16 December 2014
Christmas lunch

Thursday 4 December 2014
“What have the Romans ever done for us?”
Stephen Green of Greenfisher

Thursday 6 November 2014
“How mood makes Money!”
Mary Fenwick, Journalist & Business coach

Thursday 2 October 2014
“A topical European issue”
Richard Ashworth MEP

Thursday 4 September 2014
“HR is crap! – justifying HR’s existence to small businesses”
Julie Marsden of HR Solutions

Thursday 7 August 2014
“The Human Element of your organisation, group or team”
Rod Willis of Assentire Ltd

Thursday 3 July 2014
“Top tips for capital gains planning and profit extraction for the entrepreneur”
Helen Riley of Riley Tax Consulting Ltd

Thursday 5 June 2014
“Effective partnership: One plus One equals half a million”
Tuna Celik of Zaptext.com

Thursday 1 May 2014
“Cost Management – is your profit draining away?”
Geoff Dale & Tim Halfhead of Auditel

Thursday 3 April 2014
“What value is the Apprenticeship Scheme bringing to the development of businesses and young people?”
Cathy Jenkins & Alice Cole from MAXX Design, Karen Dodd of PDM Consultancy & Bill Dormer of Hale Hamilton Valves

Thursday 6 March 2014
“Digital killed the analogue star”
Stuart Thackray of Video Conference Services Ltd

Thursday 6 February 2014
“Some top tips for your business and personal finances in 2014”
Gary Hewitt of St James’s Place Wealth Management

Thursday 9 January 2014
“Tales from the Genetic Frontier”
Paul Denny of Gene Effects

Monday 16 December 2013
Christmas lunch
Mark Foster, Commissioner for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact

Thursday 5 December 2013
“Are you a ‘Super Trooper’ or a ‘Boiling Frog’?”
Chris Farrance of Frontier Coaching

Thursday 7 November 2013
“What business owners can learn from successful sports people”
Norman Jackson of JFP Strategic Planning

Thursday 3 October 2013
“The Preparation Principle”
Peter Francis of On Your Feet Presentations

Thursday 5 September 2013
“From fork to fork – is your business complying with the Waste Hierachy?”
Gwen Powell of Kompost

Thursday 1 August 2013
Networking – no speaker

Thursday 4 July 2013
“Help, my boss is a socks manic!”
Marc Reid of Mediation4

Thursday 6 June 2013
“Trends in Digital Marketing”
Mark Mars of Perceptive Flow

Thursday 2 May 2013
“Thank you seems to be the hardest word… (or two)”
Dave Pywell of Motivational Performance Ltd

Thursday 4 April 2013
“Why signs? Influence is what matters!”
Simon Butcher of Sign-A-Rama Thames Valley

Thursday 7 March 2013
“Technology – disrupting our Lives, Businesses and Countries”
Guy Whitcroft of Business Advisors & Services Ltd

Thursday 7 February 2013
“What can the aliens teach us about change?”
Beth Hughes of Making Change Stick

Thursday 3 January 2013
“Cut the baby in two!”
Jonathan Davis of Clifton Ingram LLP

Thursday 6 December 2012
“Will the English Baccalaureate better prepare young people for working life?”
Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College

Thursday 1 November 2012
Meet the 4Ps – a focus on marketing & branding”
Stephen Green of Greenfisher

Thursday 4 October 2012
“I’m not crazy – I’m just not you!”
Liz Palmer of Summit Coaching & Consulting

Thursday 6 September 2012
“The future of Telemarketing as a Sales Tool”
Thomas Hughes of Connection2

Thursday 2 August 2012
“International Sales – giving birth to a baby elephant and managing the herd!”
Bill Dormer of Hale Hamilton

Thursday 5 July 2012
“Real Life CRM – what I learnt from Kylie Minogue and a Boys Night Out!”
Mark Hardman of Zaptext.com

Thursday 7 June 2012
“What customers really care about!”
Malcolm Wicks of Simple Plans

Thursday 3 May 2012
“The Bribery Act – how to avoid an orange jumpsuit!”
Mark Blunden of Boyes Turner

Thursday 5 April 2012
“How we communicate – learn the differences that make the difference”
Elvira Vilarini of E-Motion NLP

Thursday 1 March 2012
“Why entrepreneurs and finance don’t mix!”
Catherine Wilson of the FD Group

Thursday 2 February 2012
“Mobile technology – changing the way you work and play”
Guy Whitcroft of Marmalade

Thursday 5 January 2012
“Preparing for successful interviews”
Jane Marshall of Imperial College

Thursday 1 December 2011
“Writing effective proposals”
Ken Newland of Newland Training & Consultancy

Thursday 3 November 2011
“The answer lies in the question….”
Stephen Green of Greenfisher

Thursday 6 October 2011
“LinkedIn is much more than an online CV – is your business making the most of it?”
Jon Davey of Social Media Director

Thursday 1 September 2011
“Ten tips for protecting your business from ex-employees”
Matt Jenkin of Morgan Cole

Thursday 4 August 2011
“The buyer/seller dance – how prospects control the sale
Ian Blackshire of Sandler Training

Thursday 7 July 2011
“What are your Intangibles and are they safe? – pinpointing the value in your business”
Dr Anna Denholm of Coller IP Management

Thursday 2 June 2011
“Motivation – what is it and why is it important for business?”
Dave Pywell of Motivational Performance Ltd

Thursday 5 May 2011
“Gone with the Wind – where did cheap energy go?”
Richard Dormer of BCR Associates Ltd

Thursday 7 April 2011
“From job vacancy to contract employment: navigating the minefield”
Julie Marsden of HR Solutions (JM) Ltd

Thursday 3 March 2011
“Innovation driven growth – which innovation might enable new capabilities for your business?”
Iain Taylor of HP

Thursday 3 February 2011
“Six steps on how to give constructive feedback”
Eleanor Yearwood of Key Talent Partners

Thursday 6 January 2011
“Business Vision – why working backwards gets you there faster”
Beth Hughes of Making Change Stick

Thursday 2 December 2010
“From Job Vacancy to Contract of Employment: Navigating the minefield
Julie Marsden of HR Solutions (JM) Ltd

Thursday 4 November 2010
“Is your relationship with HMRC a taxing one?”
Tony Butcher of Tony Butcher Tax

Thursday 7 October 2010
“Sales – is it different for small businesses?”
John Bycroft of Aorta Sales

Thursday 2 September 2010
“How valuable is your reputation top your business?”
Sue Viney of Viney Communications

Thursday 1 July 2010
“Putting the R into CRM”
Mark Hardman of Zaptext

Thursday 3 June 2010
“Why social media really works for business”
Naheed Hanif of Business Tendrils

Thursday 6 May 2010
“Using numbers to double the value of your business”
Trevor Wilson of the FD Group

Thursday 1 April 2010
“Conflict – what’s our ‘default behaviour pattern’ when handling conflict?”
Eleanor Yearwood of Key Talent Partners

Thursday 4 March 2010
“Are you realising the value from your Intellectual Capital?”
Jackie Maguire of Coller IP Management

Thursday 4 February 2010
“Would you like your presentation to achieve maximum impact? Learn the secret of the ‘Preparation’ principle”
Peter Francis of On Your Feet Presentations