The YMCA was the venue for Newark Business Club’s February meeting, Chairman, Simon Gabbitas, welcomed businesspeople from Newark and the surrounding area and kicked off the roving mic introductions.
Meeting Sponsor – We Are Newark
‘We Are Newark’ is a community-led group, which is working on behalf of Newark Town Board to help implement the Pride in Place programme. Project Manager Emma Holden kicked off the presentation with a short, interactive quiz, testing everyone’s knowledge of Newark.
We Are Newark aims to promote increased footfall across Newark, benefiting all businesses. The group organises, runs and supports community events, provides funding through grant schemes, and promotes local businesses and community organisations through monthly social media campaigns.
Newark will receive Pride in Place funding of £20 million over ten years to regenerate the town and create economic growth. Pride in Place is a government programme supporting local transformation through community-led engagement with the aim of helping communities to thrive. The programme has three main areas of focus: building stronger communities, improving public places and infrastructure (including revitalising high streets), and empowering residents.
Grants worth £6.4 million over four years are available for local community-focused projects under two schemes. The Community Grant Scheme offers grants of between £20,000 and £100,000 to support community cohesion projects, such as new or improved community spaces, while the Events Grant Scheme will support local, free-to-enter events with grants of £10,000 to £100,000. Local businesses and organizations can apply for grants under these schemes from 9th February until 31st March 2026.
This year, We Are Newark is organising several events designed to bring the community together. These include the ‘Garden of Light,’ an interactive light show, which will take place in the Market Square on 7th March, and ‘The Knife Angel in Newark,’ a 30-day programme of educational and creative events for young people. With the aim of raising awareness of the devastating impact of knife violence and crime, this event will bring the Knife Angel sculpture, created from 100,000 knives seized by police in the UK, to Nottinghamshire for the first time from 23rd April until 17th May. Local businesses are invited to support the programme through sponsorship or partnerships.
Could Newark be the new UK town of culture? We Are Newark will be bidding for Newark to win this prestigious title, which would bring extra visitors and revenue into the town.
The Business Card Draw
Next on the agenda was the business card draw. The winners of a write-up each were Gillian Tordoff of Compleat Transformations a first-time visitor, and Roz Andrews of RA Writers For Hire/RA Book Editing, a regular attendee.
A Tribute to Bob Pointer
Dean Boswell-Hyde, a previous Chair of Newark Business Club, shared a tribute to Bob Pointer, who passed away recently. As the railway representative of Newark Business Club’s Action Group, Bob was instrumental in making a case for improved rail services connecting Newark to the rest of the country. Many of the rail services we have today are thanks to Bob’s dogged dedication to campaigning for improvements. His valuable contribution to Newark and the business club was honoured.
Member Spotlight
This month, the spotlight shone on Matthew Taylor, founder of MT Productions, a video production business. A video showcasing his multi-faceted work in the local community was shown, including vivid videography of Newark Castle, Newark College and local events. Matthew also films, edits and produces a video encapsulating the business club’s meetings every month.
Who Gives a Book?!
In this section of the meeting encourages members to develop their skills and their businesses by reading a variety of inspiring books and passing them onto other club members. This month, Andy Nisevic of One Degree Training and Coaching recommended Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is Overrated (and What to Do Instead) by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. Julia Sandhu of Reach Newark won a copy of this book.
Questions and Answers with Robert Jenrick MP
Local MP Robert Jenrick answered several questions from club members. He gave an update on his recent decision to leave the Conservative party and join Reform. Going forward, he aims to help make Reform into the best version of itself, offering voters an alternative to the established parties.
He acknowledged that the business environment is very tough currently, with business rates escalating and increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage placing extra burdens on already-struggling businesses. He reported some progress on negotiating with the current government to modify the inheritance tax changes for family businesses. He stated that, in future, he would work towards building a manifesto for business, which would make it easier and cheaper for businesses to hire people.
Announcements
Among the closing announcements were several events. A free, hands-on AI for Growth Workshop will be held at Gusto House in Collingham on 26th February (AI for Growth Workshop – East Midlands Combined County Authority), while the next meeting of the Newark Dining Network, which combines networking with supporting local, independent restaurants, will be on 11th March at Castle Cuisine in Newark from 6pm to 8pm.
The annual Hercules Clay service and procession will be held on 7th March at 11.45am, commemorating Hercules Clay, a resident of Newark during the Civil War, who dreamt of his house burning down three nights in row, prompting him to move out with his family before his house did indeed catch fire. In gratitude, he left an enduring legacy for the needy in the town, which continues to this day.
Participants and supporters are invited for The Big Newark Sleep Out 2026 at the YMCA Village on 20th March to raise awareness of homelessness. This event raised over £18,000 last year.
Tickets are available for Moulin Rouge, a ball in support of two local charities: the Children’s Bereavement Centre and Emmaus Trust, taking place on 24th April at Newark Showground.
Member Spotlight
Gillian Tordoff established Compleat Transformations Ltd (CTL) in 2021 to combine over 20 years’ experience in procurement and coaching, leadership and management to provide businesses with a new way to drive procurement maturity through transformation programmes and value adding and cost saving services delivered through a network of senior procurement and business specialists.
Working with a wide range of businesses from start ups to household names in manufacturing, facilities management, FMCG, financial services, transport and not for profit sectors, CTL consistently delivers improved processes and services and double-digit percentage savings.
As a protagonist and advocate for ethics and wellbeing, Gillian champions wellbeing, the circular economy and ethical business models to create abundance in any business.
An empathetic coach, leader, mentor who brings out the best in people and provides support and guidance for career and personal development. Gillian also offers one to one and group coaching sessions and training to individuals and corporates.
In 2022, Gillian’s own experience drove her to complete a masters’ degree specialising in creating the best outcomes for highly sensitive children (HSCs). Her groundbreaking research led her to discover the incredible benefits of using Thought Field Therapy to stabilise the emotions of these, often troubled, children. Gillian now offers one to one and group training sessions and support for families and education authorities in the use of these techniques to support HSCs.
A mum of two teenagers, Gillian lives in central Newark with her partner, daughter, two dogs and cats.
Newark Business Club’s March Meeting
You are invited to join us for Newark Business Club’s February meeting on 7th March at 6.45 am at the YMCA.
By Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire Ltd and RA Book Editing
Thank you to Our Patrons & Sponsors
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2025: Gusto Group|GXO in Partnership with Currys|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
Next Meeting – The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be on 7th March at the YMCA and doors open 6.45am.
The YMCA catering team offer a range of delicious breakfasts which are available to purchase.
Please Book your tickets online
YMCA Community and Activity Village
Lord Hawke Way
Newark
Nottinghamshire NG24 4FH
For sponsorship opportunities, contact chairman@newarkbusinessclub.co.uk
