Today is a sad day in many ways. After four years as secretary of Lincoln Business Club, I’ve made the difficult decision to stand down, and today was my last meeting in post.
Work has been busy (in a good way), and outside work, life continues to throw ‘stuff’ at us (as it does to everyone from time to time). The time, therefore, felt right. Who knows where I’ll pop up next?
However, it’s been very satisfying to look back and reflect on my time on the committee. What an experience it’s been!
During those four years, the club has gone from strength to strength. The number of businesses attending our meetings and those wanting to sponsor a meeting has grown exponentially. As a not for profit organisation, this has led us to be able to donate substantial contributions to local charities – all voted on by our members. We've maintained our vision of being a supportive community for local businesses and linking up with many organisations within the city and beyond. We've remained 'the voice of business in Lincoln'.
We’ve also held social events and had a lot of laughs along the way!
It’s been a great team effort all round.
My final meeting in post heard talks from Harry Lancaster of Lincolnshire Police about cyber security and Mike Martin from Griffin House Consultancy about data security - both very interesting and such relevant topics for local businesses, particularly as many continue to work from home.
Meetings are open to anyone who conducts business within a 30-mile radius of Lincoln and are held on the last Friday of every month (except December) from 7.00am until 8.30am – set your alarm clock! 🕖 We also usually have three rounds of table networking (or breakout rooms, if there's a bit of a pandemic going on), so dust off your one-minute pitch!
It’s been fantastic being part of a team that makes things happen for local charities and businesses, and I’d like to wish my successor, Jeanette Arnold, all the best.
With Nicola Ellwood at the helm, ably supported by Mark Jarvis and the rest of the committee, the club is in safe hands.
I look forward to seeing you all again soon.