Over the past 50 years, we've supported hundreds of thousands of SMEs across various sectors, learning a great deal about growing a business for good. Join us in March 2025 at the Allia Future Business Centre for an action-packed day-long event. Alongside our sponsors, friends and supporters, this event will focus on practical business advice and growth strategies that are low-cost or even free—perfect for you to take away and implement. What better way to prepare your business for 2025? Brought to you by NatWest:
This exciting day will feature informative speakers, engaging panelists, fantastic businesses, breakout rooms, and networking opportunities, plus a few surprises. You'll meet other entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, and small business owners from across the area. Head into 2025 armed with knowledge and tools for growth.
You don't need to be an FSB member to attend—we welcome all small business owners and self-employed people. It's a great opportunity to be part of the FSB community.
The Allia Future Business Centre is a modern, purpose-built facility in a ‘Posh’ location. There’s plenty of space to enjoy the talks, network comfortably, take important calls in quiet areas if needed, and browse the exhibition stands. Refreshment breaks and a networking lunch are included.
Please note bookings for this event will strictly close the day before the event (3 March 2025) and payment cannot be taken on arrival on the day. Please book in advance to avoid dissapointment.
Agenda
Throughout the day, a range of sessions will inspire and prepare you for a fantastic year ahead:
- Breakout rooms with specialised sessions for niche knowledge
- Exhibitor stands to browse
- Networking with fellow business owners
- Buffet lunch, networking, and refreshment breaks
Talks, Workshops and Speakers
The Bootcamp will feature expert speakers sharing tried-and-tested tips you can implement or bring back to your team to help grow your business for good. Keep an eye on our social media for speaker announcements!
Hosted by
David Bell | Simboc Ltd
David Bell is a multi-award-winning company director, entrepreneur, executive business advisor, technology expert, keynote speaker and chat show host. He is FSB's East of England Regional Chairman and has been an activist with FSB for over 18 years. Find out more here.
Speakers
Reaching goals and unlocking potential
Melanie Davies | Melanie Davies Mind Solutions
An award-winning Hypnotherapist, Sleep Consultant and Stress Management & Resilience Coach, Melanie’s talk uses her over 30 years’ experience as a teacher, mentor, coach, and trainer, to help people reach their goals and unlock their potential. Find out more here.
Tyl by Natwest
Vinnie Chopra | Regional Director for Midlands & East, South West & Wales, Tyl by NatWest
Vinnie runs a team of 10 highly experienced Business Development Managers across the Region with a focus on making customers’ payment facilities simpler to use and more cost effective. Vinnie’s team also work closely with the Bank in their local markets to ensure a broad range of solutions is available when required. Tyl follows NatWest’s aspirations to help people, families and businesses thrive by always being there.
Small bites of AI for busy SMEs
Bailey Readings | AI expert
Bailey Readings is an AI expert who has been using AI since he started my own business at the age of 14. He recently completed a 30-day challenge where he posted 30 videos about AI, which gained significant popularity. In this workshop, he'll show the highlights of that challenge live, sharing his best AI tips and tricks that you can implement in your business right now.
Diving deeper beyond the basics
Ian Bishop | Peer2Peer
Ian, a long-standing member of Peer2Peer, successfully exited his business in December 2023 and now Chairs a local group in Bedfordshire. In this interactive session, he will guide us through an insightful process, expanding a popular Peer2Peer topic beyond the boardroom to a wider audience. Find out more here.
More speakers to be announced soon.
Breakout Rooms
Financial Wellbeing in the workplace
Alan Nicholls | Money and Pension Service
Alan Nicholls is the East of England Regional Partnerships Manager for the governments Money and Pension Service. His presentation about financial wellbeing in the workplace and the impact on colleagues and companies will be followed by a Q&A session. Find out more here.
More breakout sessions to be announced soon.
Parking
There is free parking on a first come basis on the gravel car park at the venue. Please ensure you register your vehicle with reception upon arrival.
Exhibitor Stands
Why not book an Expo stand to showcase your business and gain a feature in our brochure? Due to the building layout, stands are limited, but all businesses and business support organisations with quality offers for SMEs are welcome to exhibit.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For those that opt in for this event, we will share your business contact details with NatWest. They may contact you with information from this event as well as product information and other information relevant to you. NatWest will process your data in accordance with their Privacy Notice. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
Event contact
For general enquiries regarding the event, please contact Rachel McCook on r[email protected]
