In summary
Happy new year from us here at FSB Somerset and Wiltshire! To kick off 2025 we have a small update to our events calendar, with our regular Women in Business virtual networking merging with its Devon and Cornwall equivalent. Keep an eye out on socials and our website for updates about our other regular networking events. There’s also plenty of business support available for Somerset and Wiltshire businesses, read more about it in our bulletin!
Featured news and events
Growth Reimagined
Thursday 6 February 9:30-11:30am, The Club House, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham SN15 5LT
A panel discussion on thriving through change:
Rising costs, inflation, and changing consumer sentiment are driving the need for smarter strategies to remain competitive. This event brings together industry experts to explore:
- How innovation and productivity can support sustainable growth.
- Real-world tips to future-proof your business.
- Solutions for navigating key barriers in the current business landscape.
Expect a morning of engaging discussion, practical advice, and networking opportunities with some of the region’s leading voices in business and growth.
South West Women in Business Virtual Networking
It’s a new year, and along with that are some new updates to our regular networking. The first one to be aware of is that our monthly South West Women in Business is merging with Devon and Cornwall’s Women in Business Virtual Networking!
This friendly networking session will take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 10:30-11:30am.
The first one of 2025 will be on Tuesday, 28 January – book onto it here!
In other news
AI Solutions Funding
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2 million for Artificial Intelligence solutions to support AI upskilling in BridgeAI key sectors. This funding is from Innovate UK.
The aim of this competition is to develop responsible and ethical AI personalised learning solutions, to support AI competency development in the key sectors of:
- Construction
- Transport and logistics
- Creative industries
- Agriculture and food processing
The closing date is 29 January 2025. Find out more>
Somer Valley Links
This project aims to improve travel in the Somer Valley and will soon be carrying out a public consultation on the proposals created from their first consultation. This highlighted existing challenges for sustainable travel in the region, including: heavy congestion on the A37 and A367; poor access to bus stops, footways and crossing points; narrow sections of main roads; and cycling options restricted by large vehicles and heavy or high-speed traffic, among other issues.
Still in the news
The Wiltshire Marque
October saw the launch of a new scheme celebrating the wonderful food and drink produced across Wiltshire. This new concept provides a directory that is already fostering collaborations between Wiltshire producers and will be an easy way for those interested in Wiltshire produce to meet the makers and those who pride themselves in using local produce. This scheme is more than a website though with plans for Wiltshire Marque events and marketing that will help to raise the profile of Wiltshire as “The Makers’ County”.
If you produce or use Wiltshire food or beverages then why not have a look at joining this new scheme to raise the profile of our local produce? Find out more about how to join here. Members get exposure in the free online directory with a link to your own website and socials. There is also free promotion of your latest offers and news on the Wiltshire Marque blog and social channels, exclusive networking events for Wiltshire Marque members, helpful connections to other local businesses, funded business advice and access to support programmes and us of the Wiltshire Marque on your products and website.
Wiltshire Business Support Programmes
Wiltshire Council are offering four different business support programmes through their Business fit for the Future programme.
- Fit for Growth is a programme led by BIC innovation offering one to one support to help your business to grow
- Fit for Start Up is designed for new businesses and is accompanied by grant assistance to help you to get going
- Fit for net zero helps you to understand your business’ carbon emissions and provides a free energy survey
- The Rural Hubs Programme supports businesses in rural Wiltshire to help them to grow.
You can find out more about all these free schemes here.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your local contact for Somerset and Wiltshire is Beth Doel. 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: @FSBSomAndWilts
- follow us on Facebook: FSB Somerset and Wiltshire