Hello to all our wonderful Surrey businesses and partners,
I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the summer. After the recent spell of extreme heat, it feels as though things have slowed down a little, with many businesses and families now making the most of the holiday season. I hope you’re managing to take some well-earned time to recharge too – even if it’s just an afternoon away from the laptop!
Welcome to your August FSB Surrey newsletter. As always, this is a working document that will be updated regularly with new events, opportunities and business support, so do keep an eye out for future updates.
August is always a slightly quieter month for events, which gives me the chance to reflect on everything we’ve achieved so far this year and start planning an exciting programme for the autumn. There are some fantastic new events already taking shape, along with new opportunities for FSB members to get involved, whether that’s speaking at an event, sharing your expertise or helping shape future sessions. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to get involved,” now is the perfect time to let me know.
I’d also love to hear what you’re up to. If you’re launching something new, hosting an event, celebrating a milestone or have news you’d like me to share across the Surrey business community, please do keep me posted.
Although many of us are taking a little time out over the summer, we haven’t disappeared! We still have a selection of in-person and online events taking place throughout August, so if you’re around, I’d love to see you there.
As always, everything we do is shaped by your feedback. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, an event you’d like to see, or if you’d simply like to have a chat about your business, please use the Book Time with Me link in my signature. I’m always happy to catch up and hear how things are going.
Whether you’re taking a holiday, enjoying a staycation or simply trying to keep the business ticking over while everyone else is away, I hope you have a fantastic August. Thank you, as always, for being part of our brilliant Surrey business community, and I look forward to catching up with many of you over the coming weeks.
Keep an eye on our events page for FSB events across the UK here: 👉 FSB Events
Search by topic or location to find the events most relevant to you.
Let’s stay connected on LinkedIn for local updates: 👉 linkedin.com/in/traceycarter1
If we’re not already connected, I’d love to hear from you and keep the conversation
27th / 8.30am – 10.00am – FSB Connect – Reigate
In Person Event | Reigate Town Hall – £ Fee event – including tea / coffee
Join us at the Reigate Civic Centre for a friendly, welcoming morning designed to help you build relationships, share your business story, and connect with the vibrant local business community. Whether you’re an established business owner or taking your first steps, this informal yet purposeful session offers the ideal space to expand your network and raise your profile. 👉Book Here
15th / 9.30am – 3.30pm – From Survive to Thrive: One day conference
In Person Event | Surrey University | £12 FSB Members £15 non- members – including refreshments and light lunch
Join us on 15 September at the University of Surrey for Survive to Thrive Surrey – a brand-new conference packed with practical advice to help small businesses build resilience, win more customers, take control of their finances and discover how sustainability can create new business opportunities.
We’re also looking for FSB members who would like to get involved as speakers, exhibitors, sponsors or breakout hosts.
Find out more and discover how you can be part of this exciting new event. 👉Find out more & Book – Here
16th /12.00pm – 2.00pm – Networked Women Surrey | Autumn Return
In Person Event | Matrix Trust Guildford | £10 – FSB members / £12 non-members Light lunch and refreshments
After a wonderful start to the year, we’re taking a short summer pause during July and August to reset, recharge, and plan an exciting new season of Networked Women events.
We’ll be back in September, returning with a brand-new theme: Finance for Business & Personal Growth. This next series will focus on helping you feel more confident and in control of your business finances—breaking down the numbers in a way that feels practical, accessible and empowering rather than overwhelming.
Across the sessions, we’ll be exploring how to better understand your financial position, improve decision-making, and build stronger foundations for sustainable growth. As always, you can expect open discussion, real conversations, and a supportive environment where no question is a “silly” question.
We can’t wait to welcome you back in September for another inspiring season of connection, learning and growth with like-minded women in business. 👉Book Here
18th / 8.00am – 9.30am – FSB Connects Esher
In Person Event | Elmbridge Civic Centre, Esher | £Free– including Tea & Coffee
FSB Connects Elmbridge – We’re Back in Esher!
We’re delighted to be bringing FSB Connects back to Esher in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council for this popular morning networking event.
Join us from 8.00am at the Elmbridge Civic Centre for a relaxed and welcoming morning designed to help you make valuable business connections and start your day with fresh ideas and opportunities.
The morning will include: An inspiring guest speaker, Round-robin networking, The latest updates from FSB, including news on business support, events and opportunities as well as plenty of informal networking with local businesses from across Elmbridge and the surrounding area. 👉Book Here
24th / 8.30am – 10.00am – FSB Connect – Reigate
In Person Event | Reigate Town Hall | £ Fee event – including tea / coffee
Join us at the Reigate Civic Centre for a friendly, welcoming morning designed to help you build relationships, share your business story, and connect with the vibrant local business community. Whether you’re an established business owner or taking your first steps, this informal yet purposeful session offers the ideal space to expand your network and raise your profile. 👉Book Here
30th / 12.00pm – 2.00pm – Networked Women Surrey | Tandridge
In Person Event | Robert Denholm House, Redhill | £10 – including , light lunch and refreshments
Networked Women is Coming to East Surrey!
We’re delighted to be bringing Networked Women to East Surrey through an exciting new partnership between FSB Surrey, Tandridge District Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.
This brand-new series of events will bring women in business together to connect, collaborate and grow. Led by inspiring speakers, each session will provide practical insights, honest conversations and the opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another and build valuable business relationships in a warm, welcoming and supportive environment. Save the dates: 30 September 2026, 4 November 2026 and 21 January 2027. 👉Further details of the speakers, venues and booking information will be shared soon.
Surrey Business updates
Book Your Place at the FSB Members’ Village
October will be here before we know it, and planning is already well underway for the first of our FSB Members’ Village stands at Surrey’s biggest business expos.
If you’ve been thinking about exhibiting but don’t want the cost or commitment of a full stand, this is the perfect opportunity. The Members’ Village allows you to share the space and costs with fellow FSB members, making it an easy and affordable way to raise your profile, meet potential customers and grow your network.
Upcoming Expos:
• 8 October – Mercedes-Benz World
• 6 November – Woking Means Business Expo, Hilton Woking
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like to join us, please let me know as soon as possible so I can reserve your space.
I would love to showcase as many Surrey FSB members as possible, so if you’re interested, don’t leave it too late! Simply drop me an email at tracey.carter@fsb.org.uk or book a quick chat using the Book Time with Me link in my signature.
Great Freelance Business Opportunity!
Looking for a New Challenge?
We’re still looking for enthusiastic people to join our Surrey FSB team as self-employed Membership Advisors. If you’ve ever thought about running your own business while helping other small businesses succeed, this could be a fantastic opportunity. You’ll have the backing of a trusted national organisation, the flexibility to work for yourself and the opportunity to earn uncapped commission.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh challenge, a second income or a business you can build around your lifestyle, it’s well worth finding out more.
If you’re curious and would like an informal chat about what’s involved, simply drop me an email at tracey.carter@fsb.org.uk. I’d be delighted to tell you more, with absolutely no obligation. You never know where a conversation might lead!
Have Your Say on the Future of Local Government in Surrey
There is still time to have your say, but the deadline is fast approaching.
The Government is currently consulting on proposals that could see significant changes to the way local government operates across Surrey, replacing the current two-tier system with a new unitary model.
This could have a real impact on residents, businesses and communities, so it is important that local voices are heard.
The consultation closes on 5 August. If you would like to understand more about the proposals and share your views, please take a few minutes to get involved.
👉 Find out more and have your say: Local government reorganisation in Surrey – GOV.UK
Please also share this with your networks to help ensure as many Surrey voices as possible are included.
FSB updates
FSB Content Hub: Take a deeper dive with our curated hubs. They’re packed with articles, videos, and guides on key topics including starting a business, managing a team, and marketing. With advice from our experts and industry leaders, you’ll also find helpful hints for maximising your FSB membership. 👉Take a look here
Want to stay one step ahead in Surrey’s business community?
Know someone who should be in the loop? Send them our way.
Whether they’re looking for networking opportunities, exploring FSB membership, looking for support, or keen to tap into grants and funding—we’ve got it covered.
A quick enquiry form is all it takes. Either send me an email address or drop your details here: 👉 Surrey News & Events update request
Thank you for being such an important part of the FSB Surrey business community, we really couldn’t do it without you.
And if you’re keen to see what’s happening in the north of Surrey, you can also follow events via the Spelthorne Business Forum, where we work closely with their team:
👉 https://sbf.biz/event-schedule/
I can’t wait to see many of you at upcoming events — sharing ideas, swapping stories, and supporting one another.
Tracey Carter
Regional Business and Stakeholder Manager – Surrey
Federation of Small Businesses
M 07917 628988