Be a part of our first Business Bootcamp in Beds, Cambs and Herts as we look at ways to Grow your Business for Good. Brought to you in partnership with NatWest.

This special full day event is designed to help SME's focus on practical business advice and growth strategies that are low-cost or even free, preparing you for business growth in 2025.

Sponsored by


Talks, Workshops and Speakers


Esther Roche

From Problem Skin to Problem - Solving: Esther Roche's Blueprint for Success 

Discover the inspiring story of Esther Roche, founder of the award-winning skincare brand DeRoiste Natural Beauty and a true champion for inclusive entrepreneurship. With over 20 years of experience in dental health and education, Esther brings a unique perspective on blending purpose with business success.

In this fireside chat, Esther will share actionable insights on aligning your brand with your values, conducting effective market research, and achieving financial stability. She’ll also discuss the art of balancing career, motherhood, and community leadership.

You'll leave inspired and equipped with practical strategies to grow your business and build meaningful connections.

About Esther
Esther Roche is the founder of DeRoiste Natural Beauty, an award-winning inclusive skincare brand for problem skin. With 20+ years in dentistry, she also launched a top dental nurse training centre. Host of The Mum CEO Podcast and an Enterprise Nation mentor, Esther inspires through leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

Adam Thacker

Five AI tools to help transform your business

Adam is committed to making AI accessible and practical, equipping businesses to thrive in a competitive and evolving market.

In this talk, Adam will introduce you to five powerful tools available on the market that can help transform different areas of your business. From streamlining marketing efforts to enhancing customer service, these tools are designed to make your operations easier and more effective, giving you more time to focus on what you love — running your business.

Adam brings a wealth of expertise in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Over the course of his career, Adam has been involved in AI projects that streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation across various industries.

About Adam

As Managing Director of Sustained Innovation, Adam works with small and medium-sized businesses to improve efficiency while enhancing what makes each business unique. His approach ensures that AI and other modern technologies complement existing strengths rather than replace them. By focusing on maximising return on investment (ROI) and implementing cost-effective, tailored solutions, Adam helps businesses achieve meaningful and sustainable improvements.

Ian Bishop,
 Peer2Peer

Diving deeper beyond the basics 

Interactive sessions that really make you think are often where those sparks of inspiration are lit.  During this fast-paced session you'll explore how to unlock your business's growth potential using proven methodologies. This interactive workshop will guide you in breaking down key aspects of your business, enabling you to create a solid foundation for growth and success.

Ian will facilitate a collaborative environment where you can share your current challenges and goals with peers. By leveraging the collective wisdom of the group, you'll gain fresh perspectives and practical strategies which can be tailored to your unique business needs. This session is designed to help you understand and plan effectively for growth.

About Ian
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>

Melanie Llewellyn,
Owner and Founder, MLC Brand and Marketing Agency

The Video Advantage: Boost Your Brand with Engaging Content

We are thrilled to introduce Melanie, a dynamic marketer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. As the founder of the award-winning creative brand and marketing agency, MLC, she has earned accolades from industry leaders, including the esteemed Theo Paphitis. At this upcoming FSB event, Melanie will lead an engaging and interactive workshop focusing on the power of video in marketing. With marketing being one of the most requested topics by our members, this session promises to be both relevant and inspiring!

Participants can expect a treasure trove of practical tips and actionable takeaways, along with the chance to join in on a fun video challenge. The winner will receive a Power Hour consultation with Melanie, plus a bottle of bubbly to celebrate! Additionally, Melanie will offer 20 attendees a complimentary brand and marketing review, providing invaluable insights to help elevate their business strategies. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

About Melanie

Melanie Llewellyn is a seasoned marketer with over 20 years of experience in running her own businesses. As the owner and founder of the award-winning creative brand and marketing agency, MLC. Her agency specialises in helping small businesses enhance their visibility and drive sales through a variety of services, including branding, web design, SEO, and social media management.

Jim Stevenson,
Cyber Resilience Centre

Shield your small business from cyber crime

Join Inspector Jim Stevenson, Head of Cyber Security and Innovation at the Cyber Resilience Centre, for an insightful presentation that highlights why small businesses are prime targets for cyber-criminals.

In his session, Jim will explain how SMEs often face greater vulnerabilities and the potential impacts of cyber-attacks on operations, reputation, and finances. You will walk away with valuable insights into current cybercrime trends, practical strategies for protecting your digital assets, and tips for fostering a strong cybersecurity culture within your organisation.

About Jim
With 21 years of policing experience, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge on how cybercrime affects local enterprises and communities. His background in neighbourhood policing equips him with a unique perspective on tackling the long-term challenges posed by cyber threats.

Kieran Brown,
Tyl by NatWest

Tyl by Natwest - Managing Payments

About Kieran

Kieran Brown has been with Tyl by NatWest for nearly 5 years and has overall 20 years’ experience in the payments and FinTech industry, with a specialism in working with key partnerships, including the FSB. In his talk Kieran will discuss how various methods of accepting payments can help your business grow, driving loyalty across differing customer demographics, and leveraging data to help understand your customers buying behaviour.


Workshops

Melanie Davies,
Sleep consultant

Unlock Your Full Potential: Sleep Your Way to Success!

Join award-winning sleep consultant Melanie Davies for an interactive workshop that reveals how optimal sleep can enhance your work-life balance and boost productivity. Discover the science behind sleep's role in stress reduction, learn practical strategies to improve your sleep routine, and practice self-hypnosis techniques for restorative rest.

Don’t miss this chance to invest in your health and career! Attendees will receive a complimentary sleep audio MP3 to support their journey towards better sleep. Elevate your work and life – it all starts with a good night's sleep!

Jim Stevenson,
Cyber Resilience Centre

Cyber Escape Room: Cracking the Case on Cybersecurity

Join Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre for an exhilarating 30-minute adventure in a Cyber Escape Room, where you'll step into the shoes of a police cybercrime unit investigator. Your mission: work as a team to solve a series of challenging puzzles and prove that an organised crime gang is behind an attack on the Detective Chief Inspector. This interactive experience will test your problem-solving skills and cyber knowledge as you race against the clock to prevent the collapse of the entire investigation.


David Bell,
Simboc Ltd

Host: David Bell

David Bell is a highly accomplished, multi-award-winning company director, entrepreneur, executive business advisor, technology expert, keynote speaker and chat show host. He is passionate about helping others succeed and driving businesses forward to achieve their full potential. David also volunteers as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) ambassador, helping to inspire young people and encourage them to enjoy STEM subjects and supports Anglia Ruskin University as their Entrepreneur in Residence.

Find out more here >

David Greenough,
NatWest

Opening Speech: David Greenough

David Greenough serves as NatWest’s Director of Business Development (South & Central England, the largest business and commercial bank in the United Kingdom. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the banking sector, he has developed a robust portfolio of skills in managing relationships with both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporate clients across diverse roles. In his current position, David successfully established the Business Development Team for South and Central England, an initiative designed to enhance the bank's customer engagement strategy. This dedicated team serves as a streamlined access point for prospective clients, addressing their banking needs effectively, whether they are startups or established corporations.


About our Sponsors

Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is proud to sponsor the FSB Business Bootcamp: growing your business for good. As a leading regional provider of business services across 5 campuses, ARU offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to inspire talent, support growth, and foster innovation.

Why Small Business Owners Should Engage with ARU

  • Tailored Business Solutions: Explore ARU's offerings in internships, placements, and knowledge transfer partnerships to drive your business forward.
  • Access to Fresh Talent: Learn about ARU's temporary recruitment services and job advertising opportunities to find skilled individuals for your team.
  • Innovative Workspace Solutions: Discover the Arise innovation hubs, providing cutting-edge facilities for growing businesses.
  • Research and Consultancy: Tap into ARU's expertise through contract research and consultancy services to gain valuable insights for your business.
  • Entrepreneurship Support: Benefit from ARU's programs designed to encourage and develop entrepreneurial skills.

By connecting with ARU, you can unlock potential collaborations, access valuable resources, and gain insights to enhance your competitive edge in today's dynamic business landscape.

CPCA Growth Hub

The CPCA Growth Hub is proud to sponsor the FSB Business Bootcamp: Growing Your Business for Good. As a dedicated support service for small and medium-sized enterprises across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we provide expert guidance, funding advice, and tailored resources to help businesses thrive.

Why Engage with us?

  • Funding and Finance Support: Get expert advice on grants, loans, and investment opportunities to fuel your business growth.
  • Business Growth Guidance: Access tailored mentoring, training, and strategic advice to scale your business successfully.
  • Workforce Development: Explore training programmes and skills development initiatives to strengthen your team.
  • Sustainability and Innovation: Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and adopt innovative practices for long-term success.
  • Networking and Collaboration: Connect with industry experts and like-minded businesses to unlock new opportunities.

By registering with the CPCA Growth Hub, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, support, and connections to help your business succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

Find out more: cpcagrowthhub.co.uk


Notes for attendees

Ticket Prices

Tickets for this Bootcamp are £10 + VAT for Members and £15 + VAT for Non-Members this includes refreshments throughout the day and lunch.

Accommodation In Peterborough

Should you wish to book accommodation the following are close to the venue:

Premier Inn - Located in the centre of the city and a short walk from Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough station and Queensgate Shopping Centre the Premier Inn is roughly 10 mins walk away as it is 0.4 miles from the Allia Future Business Centre.

DragonFly Hotel Peterborough- The Peterborough hotel is the located on the outskirts of the city but still very convenient for accessing into the centre. It is roughly 2 miles from the Allia business centre.

Parking

The venue is located on the same site as Peterborough Football Club's Weston Homes Stadium, so there is ample parking available. The gravel car park is situated on the right as you enter, and it is signposted as 'Allia Business Centre visitors' (on match days, this is used for spectator parking). You will need to register your vehicle details at reception. The car park can accommodate up to 150 cars, but spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the car park is full, the nearest public car park is Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park (PE2 9PB), which is just a short walk away and operates on a pay-and-display basis.

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. To book a stand click here!

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]

Further information

  • To help ensure things run smoothly, please refer to our Events terms and conditions here.
  • We want all attendees to feel welcome - please read our statement on Diversity and inclusion here.
  • Please view our Privacy Policy here.