Having recently returned to Leicester after 13 years away, I’ve spent the last few months building my network anew.
One thing I struggled to find was a comprehensive list of networking events in Leicester and Leicestershire, so I’ve been recording the details of each of the events that I have attended, and others to which I’m yet to get along. I’ve compiled them into a table in the hope that it will help others.
If you’re new to networking, you might want to read this article: 7 tips for newbies to networking.
Networking Events in Leicester & Leicestershire
This is a work in progress and isn’t comprehensive. For any events I’ve missed, drop me an email and I’ll add them ASAP, likewise for any corrections.
All details were correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication, but all are subject to change. Please check all details with the organisers before you travel anywhere.
Don’t forget that I organise Countryside Connect networking on the third Tuesday of every month. If you’re new to networking or a little bit nervous around new people, please come along and I’ll personally introduce you to some friendly faces.
Some notes
- Open event = anyone can attend, fees may still apply
- No lockouts = no restrictions on the number of attendees from any one discipline (i.e. vs one seat policy where only one photographer, one graphic designer, one accountant etc. can attend)
- Referral policy = part of the membership agreement involves providing consistent referrals for others
First Week of the Month
| Date | Name & Link | Time & Venue | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Tuesday of the month | Business Buzz Market Harborough https://www.business-buzz.org/leicestershire-rutland/market-harborough/ | 10am-12pm Mercado Lounge, Market Harborough | £8 per event Open event No lockouts | A subscription membership option is available (Buzz Plus). Business Buzz run multiple events in a number of locations. |
| First Wednesday of the month | Walkie Talkie Wednesday https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leslie-singleton-18694875447 | 8.30am-10.30am Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford | Free Open event No lockouts | The group often goes to a nearby café for coffee and cake afterwards, so allow extra time if you want to join for this. |
| Every Thursday | Business Networking South Leicestershire https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/ | 7am-9am Ullesthorpe Court Hotel | £45 per month £45 joining fee One seat policy First visit free | Second visit £15. |
| First Thursday of the month | The Gresham Network https://www.thegreshamaparthotel.com/tgn | 4pm-6pm The Gresham Hotel, Leicester | Free Open event No lockouts | |
| First Thursday of the month | Cocktails & Catch Ups https://cuttlefish.com/networking | 5pm-7pm Revolution, Loughborough | Free Open event No lockouts | |
| First Friday of the month | Kuku Connect https://www.kukuconnect.co.uk/ | Various | Members only Fees apply Free trial visit available | Kuku Connect also have networks in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. |
| First Friday of the month | Market Harborough Business Network https://linktr.ee/marketharboroughbusiness | 9.30am-11am Venue changes each month | £8 Open event No lockouts | |
| First Friday of the month | PLC Networking https://plc-networking.uk/ | Chutney Ivy, Halford Street, Leicester | Lunchtime £15 monthly fee | Two guest visits available |
Need help creating authentic content for your social media profiles?
Check out my Content Creation Days.
Don’t know where to start when coming up with content for social media?
Check out my Getting Started in Content Creation workshop.
Second Week of the Month
| Date | Name & Link | Time & Venue | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Tuesday of the month | Business Buzz Leicester https://www.business-buzz.org/leicestershire-rutland/leicester/ | 10am-12pm The Distillery, Leicester | £10+VAT Open event No lockouts | A subscription option is available (Buzz Plus). Business Buzz run multiple events in a number of locations. |
| Second Wednesday of the month | Network Watermead Current Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/network-watermead-tickets-216266247167 | 7.30am-9.30am Starbucks, Thurmaston Shopping Centre | Free Open event No lockouts | Organised by CoLaw |
| Second Wednesday of the month | Women That Connect https://www.womenthatconnect.co.uk/ | 11.45am-2pm Ullesthorpe Court Hotel | £29 per month £99 joining fee One seat policy | Includes two-course lunch and a drink. Two guest visits available at £30 each. |
| Second Wednesday of every month | Leicestershire Property Network https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/united-kingdom-property-network-60360273823 | 6.30pm – 9.30pm The Falcon Inn Long Whatton | Free No other information available | Run by the UK Property Network |
| Every Thursday | Business Networking South Leicestershire https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/ | 7am-9am Ullesthorpe Court Hotel | £45 per month £45 joining fee One seat policy First visit free | Second visit £15. |
Hey, you know how it’s important to be yourself when meeting new people? Well if you want to attract the clients that you LOVE working with – you’ll need to have website and social media imagery that shows the authentic you too.
You can find out more about how I can help with this on my Personal Branding Service page.
Get in touch at any time to start the conversation.
Third Week of the Month
| Date | Name & Link | Time & Venue | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third Tuesday of every month | Countryside Connect Click Me for Booking Page | 10am-12pm Venue changes each month | Open event No lockouts | Organised by me! |
| Third Thursday of the month | Network Blaby No website | 7.30am-9.30am Jenno’s Coffee House, Everards Meadow (nr Fosse Park) | Free Open event No lockouts | Organised by Jo Clayton of Bradgate Office Services. |
| Third Thursday of the month* | South Charnwood United Business Alliance (SCUBA) https://www.eventbrite.com/o/south-charnwood-high-school-59004207343 | 4pm-6pm South Charnwood High School Markfield | Free Open event No lockouts | Run in conjunction with the school. Pupils attend to network and learn. *Check Eventbrite for latest dates as it changes occasionally |
Do you have a big event coming up? A gala? A sports day? A prom? A conference?
Did you know that I can offer a range of event photography services, including a print-on-site service? Get in touch for a no-obligation chat about how I might be able to support your event at no cost to you!
Fourth / Final Week of the Month
| Date | Name & Link | Time & Venue | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Monday of the month | Coalville C.A.N. Connect https://www.eventbrite.com/o/coalville-can-communities-and-neighbours-46263542643 | 6pm-9pm Coalville C.A.N. | Free Open event No lockouts | |
| Last Tuesday of the month | Find a Biz Kirby Muxloe https://findabiznetworking.com/groups/kirby-muxloe | 6pm-8pm The Royal Oak, Kirby Muxloe | Members only Fees apply One seat policy First visit free | FindaBiz run multiple events across the region and country. |
| Last Wednesday of the month | Ashby Connect https://www.fisherslaw.co.uk/ashbyconnect/ | 12pm-2pm The Beeches, 114 Burton Rd, Ashby-de-la-Zouch | Free Open event No lockouts | Run by Fishers Solicitors |
| Last Wednesday of the month | Social Circle Networking https://www.eventbrite.com/o/landmark-properties-64772927683 | 6pm-7.30pm New Walk House Leicester | Free No further information | Organised by Landmark Properties |
| Every Thursday | Business Networking South Leicestershire https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/ | 7am-9am Ullesthorpe Court Hotel | £45 per month £45 joining fee One seat policy First visit free | Second visit £15. |
| Fourth Thursday of the month | Bistro Live Business Club https://www.bistrolive.com/what-we-do/our-business-club/ | 11.45am-2pm Bistro Live, 89-91 Charles Street, Leicester | £35+VAT per month £25 joining fee No lockouts First visit free | Strategic table arrangements. A free guest place each month. |
| Last Thursday of the month | Sales Club https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sales-geek-east-midlands-60379386683 | Variable time and location | £20+booking fee Open event No lockouts | Networking with a sales workshop. In partnership with Leicester charity Lamp. |
| Fourth Friday of the month | Friday Mornings With Axiom Energy https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/axiom-energy-ltd-42077594693 | 9.30am-11.30am Merv’s Cafe & Bar, Leicester | Free Open event No lockouts | Organised by Axiom Energy |
| Last Friday of the month | Innovation Friday https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/leicester-innovation/ | 10am-12.30pm Leicester Innovation Hub, Regent Road, Leicester | Free Open event No lockouts |
Do you manage a team of people? Are your headshots consistent or do you need an update? Perhaps a nice new team photo?
My Business Photography service is designed just for you. I bring my pop-up studio to a location of your choice and provide you with a set of images that will instill confidence in your potential customers.
Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation phone or Zoom call to discuss your needs.
Variable Dates
| Date | Name & Link | Time & Venue | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | Creative Coffee http://www.lcbdepot.co.uk/event/creative-coffee-38 | 10am-12pm LCB Depot, Leicester | Free Open event No lockouts | Aimed at professionals working in the creative industries |
| Every three months | Proud Business Supporter Club https://charity-link.org/proud-business-supporter/ | Various | Free for members, otherwise £5 Open event No lockouts | Run by local organisation Charity Link |
| Various | BNI – various branches across Leicester/shire https://eastmidlands.bni.co.uk/ | Various | Members only Fees apply One seat policy Referral policy Trial visits available | |
| Various | Network LE https://www.networkle.co.uk/ | Various | Open event No joining fees Price of events vary No lockouts | |
| Various | Powered-up Business Networking https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/powered-up-business-networking-18017126181 | Various | Open event No joining fees Price of events vary No lockouts | Takes place in a pub |
