In summary
2025 is shaping up to be a seriously busy year for FSB Lincolnshire. From our fast-selling Bootcamp event next month and another already shaping up for the Autumn, plans for a Mayoral hustings event, MP roundtables and networking events, to continuing our leadership on the Local Skills Improvement Plan, there’s already plenty for you to take advantage of. And make sure you do! Read on for news, links and things to be aware of.
Featured news and events
Save the Date, 2 April: Lincolnshire Mayoral Hustings
With the first ever vote for a Greater Lincolnshire Mayor taking place on 1st May, it is imperative that Lincolnshire’s business community gets the chance to hear from the candidates. The Mayor will have key responsibility for infrastructure development, health, skills and business development, which makes it critical that local business owners have the opportunity to hear each candidate’s policies - live - before voting.
In collaboration with the CBI, Future Humber, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and with key support from the University of Lincoln, we are hosting a hustings event.
It will take place on 2 April, 3:30pm-5pm at the University of Lincoln Medical School. This is exclusively for members of key local business organisations, including FSB members, and places are limited to 100 due to space. If you want to take part in this agenda setting event that will make a new age of politics for Lincolnshire, act fast!
Click here to book your free place now before all seats are taken!
FSB Business Bootcamp: Grow Your Small Biz, Your Way
Wednesday 30 April 2025, Boston
The focus of the new Government is all about growth but what does that mean for you and the direction you want to take for your small business? Join us in Boston for a free, unmissable Bootcamp day to get expert advice and guidance on growing your small business, your way.
This latest FSB Lincolnshire Business Bootcamp – the first of two for 2025 – is your keystone day for planning your growth journey. Whether you want grow by keeping more of your cash, successfully getting funding, through tech solutions, adding members to your team, by upping your leadership and networking game or tapping into new markets, you’ll get all you need to know in one unmissable day. We’ve sourced experts from across these topics, so you get inspiration and advice from those who’ve done it and who can help you plot your path to growth in a way that suits your own ambitions. Book now for your FREE day with us at the Jakeman’s Community Stadium, which will include parking, refreshments and lunch, ample networking slots and lots of opportunity to browse our locally-focused exhibition. It’s a free day out on FSB, designed solely to help grow your small biz, your way. See you there!
In other news
Lincolnshire Employers - you have a new chance to get guidance on exploring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as a valuable avenue for recruitment. If you are free on Wednesday 29 March, join the team from Business Lincolnshire's Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub at Lincolnshire Showground for "Innovate and Include:- Harnessing SEND Talant". The event aims to support businesses in understanding the benefits of recruiting individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). By attending, you will gain insights into how supporting SEND can help fill skills gaps and drive innovation.
Key Highlights:
- Understanding SEND: Learn about the different types of SEND and how they can be strengths in the workplace. Building Confidence:
- Gain practical tips and strategies for working with schools and supporting neurodiverse students. Success Stories:
- Hear from local employers who have successfully integrated SEND talent into their workforce.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other business owners, educators, and professionals committed to inclusive recruitment.
Get Involved in the TBAT Innovation Challenge
The TBAT Innovation Challenge is coming to Lincoln in collaboration with Barclays Eagle Labs!
The Challenge is designed to support and stimulate innovation among UK- SMEs. It’s an annual competition powered by TBAT Innovation and offers free to attend workshops and the chance to win a £10,000 cash prize, plus over £65,000 worth of tailored business support.
This fantastic opportunity for Lincolnshire will take place at for Think Tank at Ruston Way in Lincoln on 20th March, 9:30-11am. The morning session is for small business owners like you to find out more about the TBAT innovation challenge. It’s for:
- Startups: UK Businesses that are three years old or younger are eligible to apply.
- Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Those who are seeking to launch a business in the UK.
- Technology-based Businesses: To be eligible, your business must offer a technology-based product or service, showcasing innovative solutions in various sectors.
- Established Businesses: Over three years old that are still heavily involved in R&D or looking to introduce new technology.
Click here to book a free place.
Celebrate Success and Grow Your Network at the Nachural Awards – East Midlands
The Nachural Awards in the East Midlands are more than just an awards ceremony — they’re a powerful platform to celebrate business excellence, foster connections, and inspire growth. Whether you’re a thriving entrepreneur, a dynamic start-up, or a well-established company, this event is your opportunity to shine.
Attending the Nachural Awards puts you in the room with some of the region’s most influential business leaders, innovators, and changemakers. It’s a chance to raise your company’s profile, share your achievements, and create meaningful relationships that can open doors to future opportunities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an event that champions business success and amplifies voices across industries.
Become a LEAP Trustee
Help shape the work of local housing and homelessness charity, and FSB member LEAP Ltd. The team is looking for trustees to join their board – could this be your next challenge? The team require general members of the board in addition to those suitable for chairing committees or the full board of trustees. As a trustee your insight and experience will help guide LEAP’s work supporting vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness in Lincoln and Gainsborough.
The ideal candidates will be experienced professionals with knowledge and experience in:
- Communication, marketing and digital technology
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Fundraising
- Housing and Property Management
- Health and Safety
- Finance
This is an opportunity to help fight homelessness and make a real difference. Apply today by visiting their website and complete the trustee application form. Once completed, please email the form to [email protected]. Please note: This role is an unpaid part-time position which requires attendance at meetings in during working hours. More information can be found here.
Still in the news
To The Sky: Air and Space Institute Tour and Networking
Wednesday 5 March 2025, 4pm-6pm
Have you driven past the shiny new Air and Space Institute (ASI) as you go through or past Newark and wondered what goes on inside? We are planning a chance to find out!
Save Wednesday 5 March in your diary to join us at the new ASI (Newark), an international centre of excellence to train people to enter the air and space industry. Located in the centre of Newark and part of the Lincoln College Group, the education and training on site are delivered by industry experts with years of flying and aircraft engineering experience in the air and space sector. The Institute also aims to support businesses in the Air and Space supply chain with training and connections.
Join us and Newark & Sherwood District to take a tour inside this impressive, cutting-edge local asset, where you’ll see the on-site Airbus A318, check out the flight simulators and more. You’ll also get to know how the ASI supports SMEs in the area, hear from local speakers and enjoy networking.
Click here to book your place now!
FSB’s The Future of the High Streets report
Following campaigning by the FSB Lincolnshire team, Lincolnshire County Council officially endorsed FSB’s The Future of the High Streets report late last month, meaning that retail, hospitality and leisure businesses can soon look forward to targeted business support.
FSB’s report was published in August 2024, and Lincolnshire’s Development Manager Katrina Pierce was invited to present the report and its relevant local recommendations to the council’s Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee on 28 January. Katrina set out the key challenges local high street businesses are currently facing, and how Central and Local Government can and should intervene to better support these independents. After an hour-long discussion in County Hall, the committee unanimously agreed to endorse the report and deploy business support measures in line with the recommendations. You can read more about the outcome of the discussion here, or watch the full debate on YouTube.
We will update members on the support schemes in future newsletters and across our local social media channels.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Lincolnshire is Katrina Pierce. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSBLincolnshire
- follow us on Facebook: @FSBLincolnshire
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Katrina Pierce