Better Business / Better Business
‘Amazing sparks of collaboration’ at Better Business meeting
The second Bristol24/7 Better Business meeting of 2024 was held on Thursday with strong attendance by partners and members.
The event at the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) HQ saw our charity partner for 2024/2025 announced as Nilaari Agency, an Easton-based charity that offers culturally appropriate and sensitive support, including talking therapies and direct support for individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Specific projects are catered for migrant women of colour and men with complex needs, including those with a history of offending.
The proceedings for the evening were led by Meg Houghton Gilmour, Head of Audience at Bristol24/7.
Better Business, an initiative launched in 2018 by Bristol24/7, has been helping local businesses to thrive, while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here
After the opening remarks, Ruth Morris, Network Manager of Better Business welcomed the Better Business members and introduced the most recent members to the fold. The new members include Haines Watts, Raised in Bristol, Optimising IT and Badminton School.
Better Business, an initiative launched in 2018 by Bristol24/7 has been helping local businesses to thrive, while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here.
The Better Business network has played a pivotal role in funding impactful social and environmental projects, such as Bristol24/7 community reporter initiative, and hosting events to bring businesses together under a shared goal of making the city better for everybody.
Addressing the audience, Ben Wright, Managing Director at Bristol24/7 hailed the achievements of Better Business over the years, especially on the tenth anniversary of Bristol24/7. He elaborated on the devastating effect of Covid on both the media and business and welcomed the opportunity for business leaders and charities to meet up and share ideas and network.
“It’s been a little while since I’ve seen such a buzzing room of people,” said Ben.
“It’s such a nice group of people whenever we get together. Despite all the amazing things that came out during Covid, this is the bit that was missing. The connecting to people in person and the little sparks of collaboration that happen when you get in a room together with people is simply amazing.”
“The connecting to people in person, and the little sparks of collaboration that happen when you get in a room together with people is simply amazing,” said Ben Wright, Managing Director at Bristol24/7
Ben also drew attention to some of the crowning achievements over the years, including the launch of Bristol24/7 Community Reporter scheme and the appointment of the first ever Climate & Sustainability Editor in a local media organisation. He went on to highlight the inclusion of Bristol24/7 among the Top 100 social enterprises in this year’s NatWest SE Index.
There were addresses from St Mungo’s, which works to tackle homelessness in the city and Babbasa, a St Paul’s-based social enterprise which supports young people with their professional development.
Ruth Morris, Network Manager for Better Business welcomed the new members to the fold
Also addressing the group was Kari Halford, community events manager at Bristol Beer Factory. She elaborated on how local businesses can make a real difference in communities. Bristol Beer Factory last year has donated nearly £80,000 for charitable initiatives which amounted to two per cent of its revenue.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Sarah Edmonds, cooperate tax associate at Better Business member Haines Watts South West, said: “There’s already a welcoming atmosphere. A very friendly group of people and it’ll be really good to get to know some people from local businesses and learn more about what they do and how it supports the local economy.”
Ingrid Bate of Dunleavy Vineyards says Better Business opens up new horizons
Speaking to Bristol24/7 about being a Better Business member, Ingrid Bates, director of Dunleavy Vineyards, said: “You think about new connections you can make and how you can help other people that are here trying to make connections. It’s just opening up your horizons to kind of new contacts and connections, isn’t it?”
The second Bristol24/7 Better Business meeting of 2024 was held on Thursday with strong attendance by partners and members
Ruth Morris, Network Manager, said: “Our quarterly Better Business events are always inspiring. But today there was a special emphasis on our tenth birthday. Over the years Better Business has been a force for the betterment of our city. Many of our Better Business members don’t appreciate the positive impact that their investment has on the local community until they attend the events.”
Miles Arnold, Communications Manager, and Meg Houghton Gilmour, Head of Audience sharing a light moment
The meeting was followed by refreshments with the courtesy of Bristol Beer Factory, Dunleavy Vineyards and Square Food Foundation.
All photos: Milan Perera
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