In summary
It’s a New Year, which means new opportunities to make your FSB membership work hard for you. We’ll be with you all the way and can’t wait to see you at any of the listed upcoming events.
Don’t forget, this is the year that Lincolnshire will become devolved, meaning more localised decision making – and money – for business support. So get involved whenever you see a chance with us to shape what that should look like.
Featured news and events
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
Save the Date for Air & Space Institute Tour & 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.
Look out on our website and your next newsletter to book from late January.
Get To Know the Lincs Food Enterprise Zone
Thursday 23 January 2025, Holbeach
What do you know about the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone? If you’re not sure what it is, how it works to support agri-tech and food SMEs, or how you could benefit from their support, this breakfast event is for you. Come meet the team, network with other South Lincs SMEs and understand what the South Lincs FEZ holds for you.
If you’re unfamiliar with this fantastic facility in our county, it’s an innovation hub for agri-tech and food manufacturing with bespoke business spaces, R&D facilities, and support services. Be there to tour the South Lincolnshire FEZ , network over breakfast and get updates from the FEZ team on how they could support you, your clients and your contacts in agri-tech and food manufacturing.
This event is open to all, and places are strictly limited to 30, so do book your place as soon as you can to avoid missing out. Book your free place here.
GoDigital Returns for 2025
Thursday 6 March 2025, Lincoln
Join Business Lincolnshire for Smart Growth, Business Lincolnshire’s flagship conference, designed to help SMEs across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland tackle real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities. The day will be hosted by me, your FSB Development Manager, Katrina Pierce.
From streamlining processes and reducing human error to freeing up staff for more meaningful work, this event is packed with practical insights and strategies to help your
business thrive. Whether you're a tech-savvy enterprise or just beginning your digital journey, this conference is your chance to embrace innovation, boost productivity, and plan for a smarter, more sustainable future. With a wealth of opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, it's a day not to be missed.
This conference brings together SMEs, support organisations, and service providers from both digital and non-digital sectors. Through an engaging mix of expert talks, practical workshops, and collaborative discussions, you'll leave with actionable insights and valuable connections to drive your business forward. Click here to book your free place.
Opportunities in Digital Agri-Food Technologies
Eagle Labs have partnered with Business Lincolnshire alongside CERES to proudly bring you a new event, taking place at Riseholme College on Thursday 30 January 2025.
Did you know that the global Digital Agriculture Market size is valued at US$ 18.92 billion and is poised to grow at a 10.4% CAGR from 2024 to 2030? Or that the Lincolnshire and north Cambridgeshire (LINCAM) region is recognised as a global innovation centre for agricultural technology (Agritech), recently awarded £4.9 million UK grant funding to accelerate digital adoption and innovation?
Join Barclays Eagle Labs and partners for the inaugural Opportunities in Digital Agri-Food Technologies event at the Riseholme Conference Centre in Lincoln, bringing together a mix of industry leaders, digital and tech businesses as well as support organisations to share insights and explore opportunities for collaboration.
With its community of Agritech companies, the Eagle Lab Farm, and over 100 PhD students and hundreds of MSc students working on digital aspects of Agritech, Riseholme Park is the largest cluster of its type in Europe, having raised over £100m of applied R&D funding, supporting collaborative projects with industry partners.
Aimed at leaders of agricultural and food sector businesses as well as digital and technology companies, this event provides a chance to meet with the network of Agritech and industry members and reps to discuss the need for digital tech and understand how organisations can unlock access to this growth opportunity. Reserve your seat for free here.
Still in the news
Help Shape the Future of Skills in Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland
In collaboration with Department for Education, the FSB has been leading the development of the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) for Greater Lincs and Rutland for over two years. LSIPs are a key part of achieving the aim of putting employers firmly at the heart of the local skills system.
For years, Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland’s employers have carried frustrations about the local workforce’s skills and employability. With this project, we have the opportunity to bring about meaningful change. This isn't just another conversation—it's a real chance for businesses like yours to influence impact and drive positive action on skills.
We invite you as an FSB member to be part of this important initiative. Together, we can transform the skills landscape here in Lincolnshire & Rutland to meet the needs of your business and the local community.
You can find out more about current research, engagement opportunities and our final workshop in Lincoln (12 March 2025) here. If you want to find out more, get in touch with me to book an appointment and we can discuss all the ways you can get involved across the area.
Let’s create a truly local skills system that works for everyone, with you influencing what happens next!
Impact Booster Applications for 2025 Now Open
Are you ready to take your organisation to new heights of success and impact? We're thrilled to introduce you to the fully funded Impact Booster Programme at Harlaxton College, in partnership with South Kesteven District Council, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Unlock the full potential of your organisation with an innovative programme designed to support community-focused organisations like yours in the South Kesteven area. Whether you're a charity, social enterprise, foundation, SME, or not-for-profit group, this programme is tailor-made to elevate your performance and impact.
The interactive workshops, personalised mentoring, and hands-on activities will empower you to develop your strategy, improve your skills on fundraising and impact measurement.
Come and join Harlaxton in 2025 (on 13 & 27 January and 10 February). To apply for this free support and for more information, please visit the website.
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