In summary
As we move into February we are pleased to be supporting and exhibiting at a number of expos across the region and plans are well advanced for a number events and stakeholder engagement over the coming months. These include our FSB Bootcamp in March at Coombe Abbey and a number of MP roundtable meetings which will provide excellent opportunities for members. Please do keep an eye on our events page on our website and also our social media platforms. As always, feel free to get in touch directly if you have anything you’d like to discuss.
Featured news and events
Ambitious to be FSB’s Next Regional Chair?
We are currently seeking nominations from FSB members in the East Midlands to become our new Regional Chair with effect from 1 April 2025. Working alongside staff, the regional Chair promotes and champions FSB to external stakeholders and audiences, supports our lobbying on issues important to local businesses, and supports activity and membership growth within the region. To find out more and request a copy of the full role description, please contact [email protected] before Thursday 13 February. Selection will take place between 14 and 28 February.
FSB at local Business Expo
FSB is excited to be exhibiting at the Solihull Business Expo on 6 March 2025, which is taking place between 10.00am – 2.00pm at the Village Hotel, Solihull and the Coventry Business Expo on 26 March at Village Hotel Coventry
Organised and run by B2B Expo’s and supported by FSB the free event will focus on sales, marketing, innovation and growth strategies that you can apply immediately to drive success in your business. This is your chance to
- Network with hundreds of like-minded professionals
- Gain insights from industry experts
- Discover new opportunities to scale your business
If you’re coming along then do swing by the FSB stand and say hello to our friendly team who will be showcasing how FSB helps and supports small businesses. To register for free Solihull tickets here, and Coventry tickets here.
FSB members can receive a £100 discount on ehibition stands for the event. Contact [email protected] for more details
FSB Business Bootcamp: Ignite your Business
Our FSB Business Bootcamp and Networking event is returning to Coombe Abbey on Monday 24 March 2025. Join us and over 230 small businesses at this free event to network and collaborate and hear from expert speakers throughout the day, giving their top tips which you can put into practice to help you get set for success in 2025. More here.
In other news
Get Set for Investment
The Investment Readiness (Access to Finance) programme, which is run by Business Growth West Midlands, provides guidance and support activities to enable growth within Solihull based small and medium-sized enterprises. There is still time to book events taking place during February and March.
The programme helps SMEs demystify the world of business finance covering topics such as:
- Debt finance i.e., loans & overdrafts
- Asset Finance
- Funding and grant applications
- Equity
- Crowdfunding
- Creating forecasts and business planning documents
- Pitch decks
Woman Who Awards
Attention women in business! If you want to boost your visibility and celebrate your achievements in business, enter the Woman Who Achieves Awards 2025 celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Entries are open until midnight on Sunday 2nd March. Even better, there are no categories so you can just be you and share your business story. More information here.
Your Opportunity to Collaborate, Learn and Network…..
The very first West Midlands Business Festival (WMBF) 2025 will run from 3–14 March and is shaping up to be one of the largest B2B events in the UK, offering an unparalleled platform for businesses to access funding opportunities, financial advice, skills development resources, sustainability guidance and cutting-edge business innovation insights.
Organised by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), the festival will be one of the region's biggest and most influential annual business-to-business events.
It will offer valuable opportunities for SMEs to connect with potential partners, experts, and investors as well as the chance to unite behind the Mayor’s plan to grow the economy and make the West Midlands the best place to do business.
Conferences, workshops, networking activities, exhibitions, dinners, product launches, and showcases will be held right across the region over the two-week period. This is more than just a festival, it’s a catalyst for lasting connections and collaboration. As a springboard for future growth, WMBF helps businesses create partnerships and strategies that drive progress long after the festival ends.
A list of events, which is being added to all the time so keep popping back, can be found here.
Still in the news
Great Women in Business Meet up - 7 March 2025
This event will see four great communities coming together to celebrate International Womens Day. Join the Great Women in Business meet up on Friday 7 March 2025 at the National Conference Centre, Solihull to meet fabulous women who will empower and inspire you. This extraordinary event will help you connect with every person in the room. Instead of the standard 60-second pitch, you will lean to build relationships that grow a supportive, nurturing community. Throughout the day there will be the opportunity to hear from and meet the four inspiring women behind the Great Women in Business Meetup.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Warwickshire and Coventry is Lee Osbourne. 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: @FSBWarksandCov
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Coventry.Warwickshire
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Lee Osborne