Newark Business Club Meeting Write-Up – 10 April 2026
Decision makers from local businesses met at the YMCA for Newark Business Club’s April meeting and AGM. Chairman Simon Gabbitas welcomed everyone to his final meeting as chair of the club with the news that the next chairperson would be announced later in the meeting. The roving mic travelled around the room, allowing everyone to introduce themselves and their businesses.
Newark Business Club’s Annual Finance Report 2025
Newark Business Club’s treasurer, Michelle Allen of Access Accounts, delivered the club’s annual finance report for 2025. The club finished the year with an annual surplus and a healthy bank balance. Higher revenues from meeting fees and the summer social event contributed to the surplus, part of which was donated to local charities and some of which will be spent on the club’s new website. Over 83% of the club’s expenditure was spent with local businesses, reflecting the club’s ethos of supporting businesses in the Newark area.
Chairman’s Update
In his final update as Chairman, Simon Gabbitas thanked the current committee and previous committee members whom he had worked with over the years. He expressed his appreciation for all the club’s patron, table and calendar sponsors, as well as its media partners.
Simon took us on a whistle-stop tour of Newark Business Club’s activities and achievements over the previous three years, from making a difference to many local charities in conjunction with Newark Round Table and the BNA Charity to the club’s Action Group bringing local people together to improve planning, transport, retail and other aspects of the local environment to make it a more favourable place for businesses.
Following the business club’s organisation of a parade from the Market Place to the Food Bank to commemorate Hercules Clay, whose home in Newark was set alight during the Civil War yet his family were saved thanks to his recurring dream of the fire, the Clay family has asked for the annual parade and Food Bank donations to be continued even after Hercules Clay’s commemoration service returns to St Mary Magdalene Church.
The Business Card Draw
In the business card draw, Olivia Rawlinson of Strathon Park Financial, a first-time visitor, won a write-up about her business in the club’s newsletter, while Robert Drury of Andy Wilson Financial Services, a regular attendee, won a write-up in the Newark Advertiser.
2 Minute Spotlight!
Andy Nisevic of One Degree Training & Coaching spoke candidly about his business journey. Along the way, he has benefited from coaching, mindset training and, most recently, hypnotherapy. He has partnered with his hypnotherapist, Charlotte Mather, to offer ‘The Strategy & Subconscious Workshop,’ which aims to give coaches, therapists and healers clarity on what to focus on over the next three months and the emotional tools to take action. It will be held on 20 May and 15 June.
Who Gives a Book?!
This month, three inspiring business books recommended by Simon Gabbitas were given away. Roz Andrews of RA Book Editing won a copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, while Carrie Boughtwood of APT Legal won Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant and Keith Girling received a copy of What’s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb.
Newark Business Club’s New Website
Newark Business Club’s new website will be launched in April. In the spirit of local collaboration, the club invited proposals for the development of the website from local businesses. The winning consortium of Newark Business club members was led by Nigel Lamb of Xposure Creative, who created and developed the website in association with Roz Andrews of RA Writers for Hire, who did the copywriting, Matthew Taylor of MT Productions, who provided the videos and Nicola Auckland of Nicola Auckland Photography whose photographs were used. Nigel Lamb described some of the features of the new website, including a home page on which videos demonstrate the club’s friendly and collaborative atmosphere. Direct ticketing for the business club meetings and events will lead to cost savings. A new Member Directory will allow members to set up a profile of their business and search for other local businesses when looking for suppliers, enhancing cooperation amongst members.
Newark Business Club’s New Chairperson
Next on the agenda was the eagerly anticipated announcement of the club’s new chairperson. Emma Holden, Project Manager of We Are Newark, is the tenth chair, taking the club into its 25th year. Emma is as inspired by the club now as she was when she first visited it in 2004 and became a member in 2005, seeing incredible growth in connections, relationships and collaborations over more than 20 years. Over this period, Emma has experienced notable change, initially working for her family’s furniture retailing business, then setting up Shop Newark as an online one-stop shop for local retailers during the pandemic, and, most recently, becoming project manager of We Are Newark.
Announcements
Among the closing announcements were several events.
- Register your team for the Dragon Boat Race on 13 September at https://newarkdragonboatfestival.co.uk/register The funds raised go to two local charities: Beaumond House Hospice Care and The Children’s Bereavement Centre.
- Newark & Sherwood District Council will hold a Business Support Surgery on 20 May. Business owners are invited to book a free 60-minute meeting with business adviser Dawn Fear at Edwinstowe House in Edwinstowe.
- The council is also organising a Wellbeing at Work event on 1 July and a Business Bootcamp in Ollerton on 8 July. For bookings and further information, email Will Parkinson: will.parkinson@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk
- Wendy Jackson is holding several workshops in April, including Green Cleaning and an introduction to doTerra essential oils, mineral salts and homeopathy. Sign up and find further information at https://wendyjackson.co.uk/workshops
- Silent Coaching provides an opportunity to take time out from running your business to connect with yourself and your thoughts in a beautiful, peaceful place. You’ll gain the space to think about what you want and set priorities, leaving with a plan for turning your thoughts into action. The next session takes place at Hill Holt Wood on 18 June. Contact Nicky Dewhirst-Vickers: nicky@nicky-dv.co.uk Combining networking with supporting local independent restaurants, the Newark Dining Network’s next meeting will be at Thai Sabai in Stodman Street, Newark on 8 July. Book your place on Eventbrite.
Member Spotlight – Robert Drury, Andy Wilson FS
I have worked in finance since leaving school aged 18 and became a dedicated Mortgage Specialist in 2002. After years of experience with NatWest, Santander, and Britannia Building Society, I joined Andy Wilson Financial Services as a mortgage broker in December 2018. I find immense joy in helping people purchase their dream home or taking the worry away from clients in debt by reducing their outgoings.
I believe in keeping things simple, avoiding jargon, and always placing my clients’ best interests at the heart of every recommendation. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping countless individuals with their mortgage needs. I work from my home in Skellingthorpe, and see clients from Lincoln, Newark and the surrounding area. However Covid opened the whole country up and I now have clients in Cornwall, Northumberland, Scotland, York and Cheshire amongst others.
When I am not helping clients, I am a season ticket holder at Lincoln City FC and enjoy my rock and heavy metal. I am the proud father of two wonderful sons and a grandfather to my four-year-old granddaughter, Una. I also enjoy cycling, Lego, Sci-fi and sports. In summary – this is what one of my customer said recently. ‘Robert Drury is one of the most consummate professionals I know. His knowledge has been collated through many years in the financial industry and is vast. Add to that his lovely personality and his ability to put people at ease, and you have the all-round package’.
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|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
Next meeting
The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be on 1st May at the YMCA hosted by your new Chairman, Emma Holden. By Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire/RA Book Editing.
