Programme
Morning session
9.00 – 9.50 Registration, refreshments and browsing of exhibitors
10:00 – 11:15
• Guest speaker: Adam Smith from HelpBnk“From Setback to Start-Up: Why Connection Beats Competition for Small Business”
• Panel: ‘PR on a Shoestring; Big Buzz without the Big Budget’
• Fireside chat: Federation of Small Businesses on how we support your small business with its big ambitions
11:15 – 11:45 Refreshments
Mid-morning session
11:45 – 13:00
• Workshop: Phil Budd – “Resilience That Gets Rewarded: How You Build a Stronger, More Profitable Business”
• Sponsors fireside chat: Trade Remedies Authority, Suffolk County Council, Ginger Pickle and East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network
• Guest speaker: Chisola Chitambala from CB Virtual Assistant and The Apprentice“Lights, Setbacks, Action: Real Lessons from the Business Frontline”
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch
Afternoon session
13:45 – 15:00
• Workshop: Mike Taylor: “Sales Made Simple: Optimising Every Step of Your Process”
• Panel: “Beyond the Budget Headlines - Setting the SME Agenda Together”
• Guest speaker: Martin McTague, Chair of FSB“Voice of Small Business: Action, Advocacy, and Ambition in 2026”
Networking opportunities
15:00 – 16:00
Your Hosts
David Bell
David Bell is a multi-award-winning company director, entrepreneur, executive business advisor, technology expert, keynote speaker and chat show host.
As FSB ‘s former East of England Regional Chair, he has been an FSB member and activist for over 20 years.
David also supports Anglia Ruskin University as their Entrepreneur in Residence.
Candy Richards
Candy is FSB’s Regional Business and Stakeholder Manager for East Anglia, supporting small businesses, sole traders, and start-ups.
A familiar face on the local networking scene, Candy also runs a programme of local events to help SMES grow their connections, skills, and knowledge.
Event Lead
Ann Scott
Ann Scott is FSB’s Regional Business and Stakeholder Manager for Essex and, as event lead for this Business Bootcamp, has been working hard behind the scenes with Candy to make it all happen.
Last year, she ran a sell-out Bootcamp in Essex with James Sinclair as keynote speaker. This year, she is pleased to be joining forces with other counties on this East of England Business Bootcamp.
Your Sponsors
Series Sponsor: Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) exists to defend UK industries from unfair international trade practices.
If your business manufactures goods and is struggling to compete with unfairly low-priced imports, you may be able to apply for a trade remedy, such as a tariff on those imports. They investigate whether new trade remedies are needed to prevent harm to UK industries and recommend appropriate measures to protect economic interests.
Find out more about how trade remedies could support your business by contacting them at contact@traderemedies.gov.uk
Event Sponsor: Ginger Pickle
Ginger Pickle is an integrated marketing agency based in Norwich; a team of marketers growing brands, generating leads and revenue, and addressing business challenges, all through great marketing. They are no strangers to driving business growth - and for a handful of people, their skillset packs a punch. Their specialisms include social media, copywriting, strategy, and social ads.
www.gingerpicklemarketing.com
Event Sponsor: Suffolk County Council
The Suffolk Economy team at Suffolk County Council supports sustainable growth by helping businesses access funding, skills programmes, and investment opportunities. Focusing on key sectors like clean energy, agri-food, logistics, and digital technology, the team promotes innovation, inclusivity, and clean growth. Working with partners through initiatives such as the Suffolk Business Board, they drive productivity and build a thriving, resilient economy for Suffolk’s businesses and communities.
www.suffolkeconomy.co.uk
Networking Lunch Sponsor: East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network
The East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network promotes apprenticeships across the region by connecting employers and current or former apprentices. Ambassadors share their real-life experiences at schools, colleges, and careers events to raise awareness and encourage high-quality apprenticeship opportunities. The network also provides resources, support, and networking for ambassadors, helping to change perceptions, inspire young people, and guide employers.
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Your Speakers
Adam Smith
“From Setback to Start-Up: Why Connection Beats Competition for Small Business”
Adam Smith is the Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer of HelpBnk, a platform supporting small business owners through mentorship, collaboration, and inclusive community-building.
He founded the company after facing redundancy and personal debt, turning his experience into action by creating a space where asking for help is met with empathy - not barriers.
Adam champions authentic connection and mutual support as keys to entrepreneurial success. Blending business insight with a passion for social impact, Adam is a respected voice in community-driven innovation.
Adam went from believing the ‘safe’ path of university and getting a job guaranteed security and success to calling job loss the best thing that ever happened to him. By sharing his powerful business journey, Adam will reflect on early lessons and how a chance meeting with Simon Squibb helped spark a new mission.
Expect a session which explores why connection beats competition for small businesses and how HelpBnk empowers entrepreneurs.
Phil Budd
“Resilience
That Gets Rewarded: How You Build a Stronger, More Profitable Business”
Phil Budd is a business coach, owner, and investor with 10,000+ hours’ experience. He helps entrepreneurs overcome challenges, build resilient businesses, and achieve clarity, freedom, and profitability. Known for his straight-talking yet supportive style, Phil empowers owners to grow sustainably without burnout.
Phil’s workshop will help you discover the three pillars of resilience every business needs, showing you how to boost profit, reduce reliance on you, and protect your energy. You’ll walk away from the workshop with a personalised scorecard and a clear next step to grow stronger, faster.
Your Speakers
Chisola Chitambala
“Lights, Setbacks, Action: Real Lessons from the Business Frontline”
Chisola Chitambala is an Essex-based entrepreneur who reached the final five on this year’s edition of The Apprentice UK. She is the co-founder of CB Virtual Assistant, a successful virtual assistant business that she has run with her business partner for nearly three years.
With a background as a paediatric nurse and an MBA to support her transition into entrepreneurship, Chisola brings a wealth of experience to her work. She is also a passionate advocate for migraine awareness, a children’s storyteller, and a keen netball player.
Chisola will share her inspiring journey full of navigating challenges, pivoting during adversity, adapting her business, staying true to her values, and the valuable lessons she learned from her time on national TV – all experiences that have shaped her entrepreneurial path.
With honesty and insight, she’ll also reflect on the barriers she’s faced as a young woman in business, and how she continues to overcome them. Expect an empowering, thought-provoking session filled with real-world insights, resilience, and motivation.
Mike Taylor “Sales Made Simple: Optimising Every Step of Your Process”
After studying engineering at university, Mike Taylor began his career at a small tech firm in Cambridge, where his talent for engaging with customers led him into a commercial role. Over nearly 30 years, he has built and led sales teams, helping companies scale and succeed. His most formative experience was with Evalueserve, where he led sales as the business grew from 30 to 2,500 people. Four years ago, he co-founded SalesStrategy, supporting growing companies to fix sales challenges. Outside work, he enjoys triathlons, surfing, and coaching rowing at Cambridge University.
In this short, practical session, Mike will explore key questions every business should ask:
• Do you know who’s most likely to buy from you?
• Are you reaching enough of those people?
• How does your pricing compare to alternative solutions?
• How easy is it for new leads to become clients?
• How effectively do you follow up to turn customers into repeat buyers?
Drawing on real-world experience, Mike will share common pitfalls and proven best practices to help you identify at least one actionable idea to strengthen your sales process.
Your Speakers
Martin McTague “Voice of Small Business: Action, Advocacy, and Ambition in 2026”
Martin McTague was appointed as FSB’s National Chair in 2022, having been a dedicated FSB volunteer for over 20 years, including six years as Policy and Advocacy Chair. He leads FSB’s Board of Directors and is focused on protecting and advancing the organisation’s current standing as the UK’s most influential business lobbying group – one that truly represents its grass roots members.
Martin was awarded an OBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to small businesses. He served on the Government’s Low Pay Commission (2018–2023) and joined the ACAS Council in 2023.
A business owner for 35 years, he currently runs three companies in public policy, engineering, and IT consultancy.
Martin McTague OBE will deliver a timely state of the nation address highlighting the key challenges facing small businesses, the policy wins FSB has secured, and the actions taken to support members. He’ll also outline FSB’s priorities for 2026, with a focus on creating impact, driving change, and championing the voice of small business.
Your Panellists
Panel 1:
‘PR on a Shoestring; Big Buzz without the Big Budget’
In a world where attention is currency, small businesses often struggle to get noticed without deep marketing budgets.
From creating content that captures interest and goes viral, to crafting compelling pitches that stand out online, there are creative ways to amplify your brand.
Our panel of PR and media experts will share practical strategies for securing coverage on radio, local newspapers, and podcasts, revealing what journalists and editors really want and how small businesses can make a big impact with limited resources.
1) Clarissa Place, East Anglian Daily Times
2) Jasmine Oak, Greatest Hits Radio
3) Mike Rigby, Eastern Promise Podcast
4) Adam Smith, HelpBnk
Clarissa Place East Anglian Daily Times
Clarissa grew up in Ipswich and over the course of the last decade has worked in a number of roles in the newsroom. She is currently the assistant editor and news editor at the East Anglian Daily Times.
She began her career as a trainee journalist at the Sidmouth Herald in Devon before taking over as health correspondent at the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk during the pandemic.
In 2021 she moved back to her hometown to join the news team at the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times, a role she has held for four years.
Jasmine Oak Greatest Hits Radio
Jasmine Oak is an award-winning journalist, currently working as the Multimedia News and Sports Reporter for Greatest Hits radio in Suffolk.
Graduating from the University of East Anglia in 2022 with a Masters in Broadcast Journalism, Jasmine has quickly carved out a successful career in journalism. She covers a broad range of topics – from farming through to business news, regularly interviewing high-profile people including the Prime Minister and Prince William.
Jasmine is also a published author and has performed her work at leading festivals including Latitude based in Suffolk.
Your Panellists
Mike Rigby
Eastern Promise - The Podcast
Mike is the CEO of Eastern Promise, a non-profit Community Interest Company championing the people, places, and potential of the East of England. His energetic, values-driven approach shines through the popular Eastern Promise podcast, now in its fourth year, which shares uplifting stories and showcases the region’s dynamic sectors and communities. Eastern Promise also hosts live events focused on opportunity and growth.
A sought-after MC and moderator, Mike has led panels at major events including UKREiiF, the Royal Norfolk Show, and Cambridge Tech Week. Before founding Eastern Promise, he spent 15 years as a Parliamentary Researcher for a Norfolk MP, contributing to speeches, legislation, media, and initiatives like “How Should Norfolk Grow?”
Mike is also a media and PR consultant, white-label podcast producer, and occasional stand-up comedian and lecturer - though not all at once.
Your Panellists
Panel 2:
“Beyond the Budget Headlines - Setting the SME Agenda Together”
With business confidence at low levels, the Autumn Budget causing consternation, and local government reorganisation looming large, many business leaders are bracing themselves for increasingly turbulent times.
However, with record investment in regional infrastructure, the rapid growth of large-scale green energy projects, and local government devolution on the cards, there are also significant opportunities for small businesses ahead.
Discussing and debating the key issues, our panel of political and business experts will share their insights about the problems and prospects presenting business leaders and, crucially, how the political landscape should shift to support them to thrive.
1) Jade Uko, FSB Regional Chair
2) Gareth John, First Intuition
3) Simon Dedman, BBC Look East
4) Chisola Chitambala, CB Virtual Assistant and The Apprentice
Jade
Uko
FSB Regional Chair (East of England)
Jade is FSB’s Chair for the East of England, having previously served as an FSB Development Manager. She is passionate about championing the voices of small businesses, representing members’ views both regionally and nationally. Jade is also a member of FSB’s newly formed English Policy Unit, where she helps shape national policy discussions on the key issues affecting small businesses across England.
Outside of FSB, Jade is a Director at Meeting Place, covering the East and South East of England. She brings a wealth of experience by working on strategic communications for major infrastructure, residential, and commercial development projects across the region.
Your Panellists
Gareth John First Intuition
Gareth is Policy Director for award-winning, national education provider First Intuition. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant who has been involved in professional training and skills delivery for nearly 30 years and now helps lead engagement with government bodies such as the Department for Education, Skills England and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) .
First Intuition deliver commercial and apprenticeship programmes in accountancy, leadership and management, and other areas. They support learners in classrooms in their 25 training centres around the country as well as supporting thousands of distance learning students.
Simon Dedman BBC
Simon is a senior BBC Look East political reporter known for trusted, impactful journalism. With a sharp focus on politics, local government, and breaking news, his work spans BBC, Al Jazeera, CNBC Europe, and NBC News. Simon’s journalism has sparked national conversation and even parliamentary debate.
A skilled live and broadcast journalist, Simon brings depth, clarity, and storytelling expertise to every piece. He holds a Master’s in Television and Current Affairs journalism from City, University of London, and a BA Hons from UCL.
Your Exhibitors
Your exhibitors, listed in alphabetical order, consist of Federation of Small Businesses, our benefit partners, and our event sponsors.
1. FSB Training - Staff Skills academy+
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/fsb-training
2. FSB Business Banking - Allica Bank
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/business-banking
3. East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network
www.eastofenglandaan.co.uk
4. New Anglia Growth Hub
www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk
5. Federation of Small Businesses
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits
6. FSB Insurance Service
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/insurance-service
7. FSB Payroll & Pensions - The Access Group
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/payroll-and-pensions
8. Ginger Pickle
www.gingerpicklemarketing.com
9. FSB Occupational Health - Healthyshoots
www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/occupational-health
Your Exhibitors
10. HelpBnk
www.helpbnk.com
11. Lime Licensing Group
www.fsb.org.uk/resources/content-hubs/franchise-hub
12. FSB Legal and Business Hub - Markel www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/legal-and-business-hub
13. FSB Healthcare - Santé Group www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/healthcare
14. Suffolk County Council www.suffolk.gov.uk
15. FSB Business Banking - The Co-operative Bank www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/business-banking
16. Trade Remedies Authority www.gov.uk/government/organisations/trade-remedies-authority
17. FSB Payments - Tyl by NatWest www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/payments
18. FSB Business Banking - Zempler Bank www.fsb.org.uk/membership/benefits/business-banking
Frank Jay Chilli Shop
The Trade Remedies Authority exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices.
The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority investigates import practices which could harm UK businesses
If your business manufactures goods and you are struggling to compete with unfairly low-priced imports, you could apply to the TRA for a trade remedy to apply a tariff on these imports at the border
You can find guidance on all aspects of the TRA’s investigations on their website to guide you through the process
The TRA investigate whether new trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading practices and make recommendations on appropriate measures to defend UK economic interests.
If you would like to find out if a trade remedy could help protect your business from unfair international trading practices, contact the TRA on contact@traderemedies.gov.uk. They are ready to help.
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