The Breakfast Exchange is 1!

It's always great when a plan comes together and this one has worked so well that we'd like to give a little 'Yay!' It's a year since we started got together with Thrings Solicitors and The Business Exchange to set up the Breakfast Exchange in Bath.

The plan was always to provide a support network for local businesses, help them develop connections that they could turn to when times were tough, chat through challenges and inspire each other. And the positive response we've had from the business community has blown us away!

So a big thank you to the wonderful and inspirational panellists who have supported us by sharing their stories: Simon Rollings at the Canned Wine Co., Steph Wilder from the Good Day Cafe, Richard Godfrey from Rocketmakers, James Lowther from Truespeed, Emma Summers from Juice Recruitment Ltd, Dieter Wood from Interaction Ltd | B Corp™, Raife Wieland from Promote Online, and David Kelly from the Storm Consultancy.
And of course The Business Exchange (TBE) founder and new mum Anita Jaynes, who normally runs the proceedings, Sian Swift (TBE), Lizzie Heffer (Thrings), and our own Helen Keating who developed the idea and organise the events.

And a huge thank you to the many people from local businesses and organisations who give up their time to be there. See below for news from the latest event on February 22nd, along with pics from last year.

Harnessing the changing digital landscape to promote business growth was the focus of the Breakfast Exchange’s latest instalment in Bath.

Co-organised by The Business Exchange, Thrings Solicitors and accountants Richardson Swift, the latest breakfast event, held at the Ivy on Thursday, 22 February, brought together more than 60 organisations from across Bath and the wider region for an insightful panel discussion.

Joining the panel to share their professional experiences were digital leaders David Kelly, co-founder and CEO of tech company Storm Consultancy and Raife Wieland, founder and Director of marketing agency Promote Online, with topics ranging from digital transformation and compliance with GDPR to the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Raife Wieland, founder and Director of Promote Online, said: “It was fantastic to be a part of the panel and discuss the digital challenges and opportunities faced by businesses today and take part in such an informed discussion spanning a number of sectors. In this day and age, businesses of all sizes need to embrace digital for growth.”

David Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Storm Consultancy, added: “With technology evolving at a constant rate, businesses need to adopt a ‘change is business-as-usual’ mindset to ensure they don’t fall behind. Furthermore, businesses should ensure that technology is strategically represented at the highest levels of decision making. The turnout and engagement from the audience today certainly indicated the importance the subject matter has with business at present.”

Taking on chairing duties for the panel, in the absence of The Business Exchange’s editor and brand-new mum Anita Jaynes, were Thrings’ and Richardson Swift’s marketing heads Lizzie Heffer and Helen Keating.

Also joining the panel were Thrings Head of Corporate John Davies and Debbie Boulton, Richardson Swift Managing Director, who brought their expertise in supporting businesses in utilising technological solutions to overcoming the challenges and thriving in their respective market.

Debbie Boulton, Managing Director of Richardson Swift, said: “It was another great turnout at the Ivy for the Breakfast Exchange and we are delighted to have had Raife and David join us to provide their in-depth knowledge of their field. It was clear by the audience’s questions to the panel that this is an important topic that resonated with the kind of issues they regularly face,”

John Davies, Head of Corporate at Thrings Solicitors, added: “Technology is a constant driver for innovation and advancement for many businesses nowadays and, in our experience, is often an attractive reason for investment and acquisitions. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this event, particularly talking to many of our guests about what tech means for them and how it drives their long-term business goals.”

We host Breakfast Exchange events for companies in both Bath and Malmsbury, Wilts. If you would like to be added to the guest list fill out the form below and we will accommodate you as soon as we have space available.