The Growth Hub is currently recruiting to the Peer Network programme funded by BEIS and delivered by MDHub. We have recruited 5 cohorts to date but keen to recruit the remaining cohorts which need to be delivered by the end of March 2022. Recruitment has been slower this year due to the time pressures faced by business leaders including ongoing staff illness and recruitment issues, supply chain challenges, the focus on recovery, inflationary pressures and future uncertainty. We believe that the Peer Network helps business leader address these issues in their confidential cohorts.
The programme is fully funded by BEIS and details can be found on the Growth Hub portal here.
As part of the wider Peer Network programme we are recruiting a Net Zero Peer Network cohort.
Networking
Surrey Virtual Networking with Mike Gregory
Friday 3 December – 11.45am for a 12noon start-1.00pm
Join our networking session hosted by FSB Surrey Area Lead, Mike Gregory. This will be a this great networking session where you’ll be able to connect, chat and enjoy networking in the breakout rooms. Book here.
Surrey Virtual Networking with Shelagh Gurrie.
Friday 17 December – 11.45am for a 12noon start-1.00pm
Join our networking session hosted by local volunteer Shelagh Gurrie. This will be a this great networking session where you’ll be able to connect, chat and enjoy networking in the breakout rooms. Book here.
Did you know you can book events through our app? Find out more on our website.
Webinars
Growing Your Business Through Recruitment
Wednesday 24 November, 10am-12pm
In conjunction with Richmondshire Business Week, Hannah Thomas, Solicitor at FSB Legal Services, will explain how growing your business through recruitment of additional staff can be done confidently and safely. This will include changes in employment practices post-COVID19 in respect of work environments and flexible/home working requests. Book here.
Maximise Your Membership
Wednesday 8 December, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
This “Maximise Your Membership” session is a free online event open to all new joiners to FSB and for any existing members that want to refresh their memories regarding the available benefits. Now more than ever is the time to make sure you’re making the most of your FSB benefits, whether it’s exploring the FSB Legal Hub and updating your processes; understanding what FSB Care could be doing for your well-being; or learning about how FSB Debt Recovery or FSB Funding Platform could be helping with your cash flow. Book here.
Big Small Business Networking UK
Wednesday 15 December 2021, 10:00 – 11:30am
On 15 December something very special is taking place. The largest small business networking event in the FSB’s history, ever! If you would like to network with hundreds of small businesses from across the UK, Book here.
FSB on Demand
Missed an FSB event? Pop over to our hub where you will find our most popular webinars, recorded and ready when you are.
Business Support
Q3 GDP figures show scale of challenge ahead
FSB responded to the ONS’s GDP figures for Q3, which found that the level of quarterly GDP is 2.1% below where it was before the pandemic hit. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: “These deeply concerning figures point to the scale of the mammoth task that lies ahead in securing a sustainable economic recovery. We are now hurtling towards a flashpoint in April when the jobs tax and national living wage will rise at the same moment whilst business rates also kick in for many.”
New laws to resolve pandemic rent arrears
The Government has published new laws, in the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill, which will “establish a legally-binding arbitration process for commercial landlords and tenants” to deal with commercial rent arrears which accrued over the course of the pandemic. The laws are due to come into force next year in England and Wales, with Northern Ireland to have a power in the Bill to introduce similar legislation. And as of 10 November, commercial tenants are protected from pandemic rent debt claims via County or High Court Judgment, or bankruptcy petitions.