Our impact
Strong businesses help create strong communities.

“The best business relationships are built around real conversations, shared experiences and 'breaking bread' together.”

At Talk Business, we believe good business should support the communities around it.

Since we began in 2010, we have worked to bring people together through relaxed,

relationship-led networking that supports local businesses, charities, venues, education and the wider community.

We have always believed that networking should feel human. Not transactional. Not corporate. Just people coming together to build genuine relationships that strengthen local communities.

Relaxed Networking. Meaningful Relationships. Stronger Communities.

Talk Property Worcester at Burger Shop f

'Breaking Bread' Together

Talk Business has always been about far more than networking.

From the very beginning, our ethos has been built around conversation, community and bringing people together in a relaxed way. We believe the best business relationships are formed when people sit together, share experiences and take time to properly connect.

That is why many of our events are intentionally built around one table, shared food and relaxed conversation.

There is usually food involved somewhere along the line because “breaking bread” together removes barriers, encourages openness and creates a genuine sense of community.

In a world that can often feel transactional, Talk Business was created to bring people back to real human connection. Since 2010 we have engaged with hundreds of local businesses across Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Somerset and The Cotswolds creating up to 300 events a year for our members and the charities we support.

Community First

Local Partnerships & Education

A large part of the Talk Business ethos has always been encouraging businesses to work more closely with young people, schools and colleges. We believe local businesses have an important role to play in helping young people gain confidence, experience and opportunities for the future.

Over the years we have partnered with local schools, colleges and education organisations by:

Hosting networking and showcase events at their venues
Inviting students to attend and speak at events
Supporting enterprise and mentoring initiatives
Helping young people gain confidence and business experience
Creating opportunities for businesses and education providers to connect

We are proud to have worked alongside organisations including:

Warwick School
Bourneside School, Cheltenham
Croft School, Stratford
Stratford College, Warwickshire Colleges Group
Royal Leamington Spa College, Warwickshire Colleges Group
Star College, Cheltenham
The Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester

Supporting Local Charities

Supporting local charities has always been an important part of Talk Business.

Over the years we have encouraged businesses within our network to actively support charities in their local area, helping create meaningful relationships between businesses and the organisations doing vital work within the community.

Talk Charity was set up to create a space where senior management within charities could come together in a supportive space to discuss ideas and challenges.

We offer reduced membership rates and free seats within selected UNO Networking groups for charities, helping them connect directly with local businesses, raise awareness and find ongoing support.

Talk Business has also independently supported fundraising through charity quiz nights, sponsored events, fundraising at meetings and community activities including dragon boat racing teams and other local initiatives. We are always available to support our charities, if needed, at their functions or fundraisers in what ever capacity we can.

Charities & Community Organisations

We Have Supported

Over the years, Talk Business has proudly supported a wide range of charities and community organisations through fundraising, networking support, awareness opportunities, event partnerships and reduced membership access.

These have included:

Molly Ollys Wishes
Arts Uplift
Shakespeare Hospice
The Nelsons Trust
The Long Table
Guide Dogs for the Blind
The Trussel Trust
The Warwickshire Air Ambulance

…and many more local organisations making a difference within our communities.

Relationships Matter

Talk Business was created to encourage deeper business relationships built on trust, conversation and community.

Our events bring together independent businesses, SMEs and larger organisations in a relaxed environment where people can get to know each other properly and create long-term connections.

We also understand how important it is to support younger professionals entering the business world and have previously created dedicated after-work networking events for under-30s to help encourage confidence, collaboration and connection.

Over the years, Talk Business has also provided opportunities for local businesses and MPs to connect more closely. Members of Parliament have regularly attended meetings, MP lunches and business showcases, helping create stronger conversations between businesses and decision makers.

Visits to the Houses of Parliament for annual Local Business Showcases have further helped celebrate and highlight businesses from across the regions.

Wellbeing at the Core

We understand the importance of wellbeing within business and recognise that strong communities are built on more than transactions alone.

Talk Wellbeing was created to support conversations around mental health, wellbeing and personal development, alongside inspirational talks and keynote speakers at events such as International Women’s Day.

During lockdown, when many businesses felt isolated and disconnected, we created online sessions including Monday Motivation, Wellbeing Wednesday and Thrive on Thursday to help members stay connected, positive and supported during a particularly difficult time.

Supporting Local

Good business starts with supporting the community around you.

Supporting local businesses, venues and suppliers is central to how Talk Business operates.

Over the years we have intentionally hosted events across a wide variety of local venues including:

Schools and colleges
Independent cafés and restaurants
Hotels and theatres
Art galleries
Charity venues and community spaces

By moving events around different areas, we help showcase local venues while also making networking more accessible to different communities.

Where possible, we work with local suppliers for printing, design, legal services, technology and event support — many of whom are members of the Talk Business community themselves.

Both The Foodie Awards and The Leamington Business Awards have also prioritised local venues, local food suppliers, photographers, sound technicians and local drinks providers wherever possible.

Inclusive Opportunities

We believe networking should feel welcoming and accessible to businesses of all sizes and budgets.

To help make networking more inclusive, we offer:

Reduced-rate charity memberships
Flexible monthly payment options
Lower-cost membership choices
Directory-only memberships
Informal café networking through Talk Business Café

Talk Business Café was created for those who may not wish to attend larger meal-based networking events regularly and instead prefer a more relaxed environment over a simple cup of coffee.

Our aim has always been to ensure people feel part of the wider business community, regardless of budget, business size or stage in business.

Supporting women in business has been an important part of the Talk Business community for many years.

Each month we host two dedicated women’s networking events designed to create supportive, welcoming spaces for conversation, connection and collaboration.

One event is centred around relaxed, round-table networking where women in business can come together to build relationships, share experiences and support one another in an informal environment.

The second is a smaller, more collaborative gathering aimed at women in leadership roles within business. These meetings are designed to encourage more open discussion around the challenges of leadership, offering a trusted space to seek advice, share experiences and have honest conversations with like-minded businesswomen.

Both events reflect the wider Talk Business ethos — creating genuine connections through conversation, community and support.

Supporting Women in Business

Looking after the environment is part of looking after our communities.

Sustainability is an important consideration within Talk Business and we continually aim to operate with a lighter environmental footprint wherever possible.

We rotate events across different locations so members can attend meetings closer to where they work, helping reduce unnecessary travel. Many events are held in town and city centre venues close to public transport links and walkable locations.

We also aim to reduce waste by:

Printing literature in smaller quantities
Encouraging members to reuse name badges and collecting their printing after events.
Minimising unnecessary printed materials at events

Sometimes the simplest approach is also the most effective — encouraging people to start conversations rather than relying on excessive printed materials.

Sustainability

Looking Ahead

Talk Business will continue to create welcoming, relationship-led events that help bring local businesses and communities together.

We remain committed to supporting our members, championing local charities, promoting collaboration and helping strengthen the communities we work within for many years to come.

Because at the heart of Talk Business, it has always been about people.