20 years of networking celebrated in style! Thank you!
“People will sit up and take notice if you will sit up and take notice of what makes them sit up and take notice” Harry Selfridge d. 8/5//1947
Fantastic! Fabulous! a tremendous amount of conversation, energy and enthusiasm was brought to the 20th Anniversary event at Sandy Park on May 8th 2013
Those attending certainly did a great job conversing, connecting and collaborating! Photos in this post taken by Megan Humby – there will be many more as Malcolm Rouse and Glen King did a brilliant job of capturing the event – these photo’s will be available soon!
Pre lunch drinks and networking – all sorts of conversations and connections being made
The opening words from Mark Leveridge were great – thank you – there were some people in the room who thought I was bowing out – certainly not! More to follow on Mark’s words – a whole separate Blog Post!
Mark’s introduction was followed by Business Network’s founder in the UK Jim Enright. Jim’s reflections on Business Network and how he discovered it whilst in New Zealand – more of an invitataion than a discovery but when Jim started networking with his Canon business there success and profitability grew and when Jim and his wife Jackie decided to return to the UK they did so with the aim of establishing Business Network in the UK – the monthly lunch time events started in Exeter on 25th May 1993 at Exeter’s Southgate Hotel and spread over the country.
Jim Enright talking about how Business Network arrived in the UK
When Jim and Jackie were looking to retire that’s when I became involved as I had met them through networking! A deal was done and here I am 5 years later! Jim’s words really set the scene for THE Networking lunch and a toast to 20 years
Toasting 20 years!
Among those who attended
Andrew Price, Michelle Johnson, Matthew Redman, Alex Wren, Alicia Coles, Julia Bramble, Sean Humby, Emma Law, Ed Dolman,Alana Carroll, Grace Bradley, Rachel Buckley, Mark Wren, Gordon Mitchell, Sally Mitchell, Megan Humby, Heatherbell Barlow, Sharon Goble, Michelle Powell, Derek Brunt, Lee Cottrell, Sarah Hughes, Keryn Seal, Malcolm Rouse, Nicky Dunn, Fiona Helsing, Jane Humby, Jackie Enright, Jim Enright, Mandy Blackler, Jim Taylor, Ian Dunstan, John Hind, Stephen Bateman, Paul Brown, Jane MacNamara, Guy Arnold, Clare Owen, Karen Jonas, David R Cotterill, Caroline Creer, Stuart Devlin, Michael Green, Richard Carpenter, Kim Knox, Dudley Hambleton, Dawn Mayo, Harriet Weeks, Cathy Towers, Michelle Thomas, Ally Colton, Carla Zumfelde, Sam Talby, Alistair Heron, Glen King, Tim Stanford, Stuart Coombe, Jill Webster, Mark Leveridge, Steve Hartland, Adam Nicholas, Barry Martin, Alastair Banks, Fran Long, Ashley Scott, Stuart Grant, Chris Wood, Danny Frayne, Ryan Barrett, Rosemary Pell, Andrew Parrott, Richard Hussey, Nick Dudman, Neil Starr, Bev Gratton, Mark Evans – Martin, Olly Dymond, Mary Jane Campbell, Brian Lee, Sue Mitchinson, Mike Woodliffe, William Hammond, Rick Credland-Proctor, Phil Roberts, Lynne Rathbone, Alison Jobson, Vicki Stewart, Hugh Graham, Dave Barr, Maggie Garrett, Ian Smith, Nigel Wilkinson, Robert Guest, David Hindon,
Charity Partner Award winner for May.
It was a pleasure to present Alex Wren of Bitpod with a bottle of bubbly! Alex was nominated for the following reasons…
Ally Colton of Families for Children Adoption Charity sat next to Alex Wren of Bitpod Ltd during a BNSW lunch in September of last year. Ally had just received notification of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering National Film Awards 2012. The brief was to make a two minute film promoting adoption. Alex invited Ally to attend his next course free of charge. Well…following Alex’s amazing, informative, practical, easy to understand course the Families for Children film was one of three shortlisted – with Ally being invited to attend the awards ceremony in London. Sadly the film didn’t win but how impressive that with Alex’s guidance someone who had no background of film-making was able to make a film that made such an impact. Thank you Alex – this year we WILL win!
I’ll second that Ally; Alex has also been really helpful towards Keryn & Robin, the GB blind footballers. Phil Phil Roberts MInstF Fundraiser – St Loye’s Foundation
Exeter Business Network Charities 2013
The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the charity which raises the funds to keep 2 emergency Air Ambulances flying. This is no small feat as each and every year we have to raise in the region of £4.5 million to keep both of the helicopters airborne. Click here to donate
Families for Children place children for adoption from throughout the UK, who have experienced loss and upheaval. We find for them stable, loving families in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.We are special because we have a ‘forever’ policy of support and this means that we offer support to the child and new family for as long as they need us. Click here to donate
WESC Foundation’s aim is the education and care of young people with visual impairment and/or complex needs and their transition into school, college and beyond. By providing a specialist centre for education, training and expertise, WESC Foundation create a better life for people with visual impairment. Click here to donate
The vision of St Loye’s Foundation is that each individual should have the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential, irrespective of natural abilities or setbacks experienced in life.Mission – St Loye’s mission is to be the preferred choice of people with physical, mental health, sensory and other disabilities, or with long-term health conditions, to improve their quality of life and degree of independence. Click here to donate
Announcements from the lunch
Loads more offers and opportunities here!
“Find your place on the planet. Dig in and take responsibility” – Gary Synder – Poet b 8/5/1930
Next event 5/6/13 Sneak preview here! – Remember this event is your chance to be part of a seminar that is unique, inspiring and enlightening.
A big thank you for these kind words
“In their own words from Twitter”
Listen2Win_May 08, 10:37pm via Twitter for iPhone
Fun speaking at 20th anniversary for #BNSWtoday. @stloyes @nigelwnw @alex_wren@seanhumby @Assistor @qChrisWood you are all legends! #L2W
2 retweets
stloyesMay 08, 6:19pm via Twitter for iPhone@alex_wren @FFCAdoption @seanhumbycongrats and well deserved ^Tom 🙂
alex_wren: Thank you so much@FFCAdoption @stloyes @seanhumby for surprise award & bubbles. It was a pleasure to help #awardwinningalex5:45pm, May 08 from Twitter for iPad
stloyes: @alex_wren @FFCAdoption@seanhumby congrats and well deserved ^Tom :)6:19pm, May 08 from Twitter for iPhone
alex_wrenMay 08, 5:45pm via Twitter for iPadThank you so much @FFCAdoption @stloyes@seanhumby for surprise award & bubbles. It was a pleasure to help #awardwinningalex
CasinoMandyMay 08, 3:45pm via Twitter for iPhoneGreat lunch @SandyParkExeter with @seanhumby @Janehumby @StuEStrategy@Carolinecreer @DevonAirAmb @BoveyCastle@ExeterRaces #BNSW
3 retweets
tendervictoryMay 08, 3:22pm via Webthank-you @seanhumby for another great#BNSW – I think today’s meal at @SandyParkExeter was the best I have enjoyed yet!
2 retweets
qChrisWoodMay 08, 3:09pm via HootSuiteGood #Exeter networking lunch today with @seanhumby + @Listen2win – great to watch @Blind_Seal in action, great video @bitpod_uk#BNSW
4 retweets
SpaceExeterMay 08, 3:07pm via WebGreat #BNSW 20th anniversary #Exeternetworking lunch @SandyParkExeter with @seanhumby! Great talk by @Blind_Seal from @Listen2Win_
3 retweets
SpaceExeterMay 08, 9:05am via Web#BNSW #networking #lunch today with @seanhumby.Talk by @MrRMWilliams & @Blind_Seal @Listen2Win_ will be really interesting @SandyParkExeter
3 retweets
heatherbellartMay 08, 8:56am via HootSuiteLooking forward to meeting @seanhumby and lots of new peeps at business network sw today.
From LinkedIn
Fran Long Great meeting today ty
15 hours ago-
Julia Bramble Seconded – the buzz in the room today was contagious!! The result of something very special that you have grown and nurtured Sean Humby. Delighted to belong to BNSW 🙂
Excellent event today in Exeter, thanks to SW Networking and Sean Humby.
Emails received
Thanks Sean – it was great to be a part of it.Best wishes and congratulations again on your continued success.RachelRachel BuckleyDirectorHartnell Chanot and PartnersHello Sean, thanks very much for inviting Jackie and I to join you for BNSW`s 20th Anniversary.The buzz in the room was great and is a credit to you, Jane and Megan.Here’s to another 20 years.Best regards.Jim Enright
Bristol Business Network 
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