Greetings!

There’s plenty of ambition across the C2S community, and the opening of the C2S Business Awards 2027 has given us a wonderful reminder of that. In the first five days, we’ve received more entries than ever before at this stage! We’re looking forward to hearing the stories behind those entries and celebrating the people and businesses driving our region forward. Could 2027 be your year? Get your entries in!

Alongside celebrating success, we’re making time to explore the challenges businesses face. Our next Big Conversation: Business Resilience in a Changing Climate, on 10th November, will explore how organisations can prepare for disruption, adapt to changing conditions and build resilience into everyday decisions. We hope you’ll join us to share experiences and consider practical steps for your business.

In this week’s update, we’re delighted to feature two of our C2S Business Leaders: Rich Horton, Director – Leadership Coach, Podcast Host, and Co-Founder at Zentano, and Richard Currie, Managing Director at Colour Connections.

We’re also showcasing our members Grundon Waste Management, Meta Advisors, White Light Hosting and Prosperity Care and Wellbeing. We welcome aboard new members Gambit. Read all about them below.

You’ll find more ideas and inspiration in our latest C2S Business Magazine, “Navigating a World of Change”, with the free digital edition available below and printed copies available to reserve. Download a copy HERE

Enjoy this week’s newsletter, and please keep sharing your news and stories with us. We look forward to catching up with you soon.

🏆 C2S Business Awards 2027 Are OPEN!

Following our biggest, sold-out celebration in 2026, we’re ready to celebrate more outstanding businesses, teams and individuals across the South West, Midlands and South Wales.

With 20 categories, FREE entry and entries open to all organisations, this is your chance to gain recognition for your achievements.

A huge thank you to our 2027 sponsors for making it possible and our Joint Headline Sponsors BPE Solicitors and Crowe UK.

Your Business. Your People. Your Achievements.

Your Moment to Shine!

ENTER NOW!!!

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!

C2S BIG CONVERSATION: BUSINESS RESILIENCE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

9.00AM - 12.00PM

Venue: Dunkertons Cider, Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham

Join us for our next C2S Big Conversation: Business Resilience in a Changing Climate, exploring how the climate emergency could impact businesses and how we can prepare.

Starting with extracts from the People’s Emergency Briefing, business leaders and specialists will discuss the challenges facing people, workplaces, energy, transport and business continuity.

BOOK NOW

SUPPORT HEART HEROES AT CHRISTMAS UNCORKED!

Get into the festive spirit while supporting a fantastic local cause!

Christmas Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing is a festive wine and cheese tasting evening organised by Z’s Beautique and Supernova Celebrant Events, raising funds in support of local children’s charity Heart Heroes.

Taking place on Friday 27th November at Norton Village Hall, the event is a wonderful opportunity to get together with friends, enjoy some festive treats and support Heart Heroes, who provide valuable support to children with heart conditions and their families.

The evening will also feature a raffle with fantastic prizes and the opportunity to pre-order a bespoke Christmas cheeseboard.

CHELTENHAM’S REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE 2026

Cheltenham will reflect, respect and remember all those people who gave their lives for our freedom

11am on Sunday 8 November – Cheltenham’s remembrance service and parade to honour the sacrifice of our armed services and civilians in war
11am on Wednesday 11 November – pause to remember, two minute silence and short service

On Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November) the council is supporting The Royal British Legion (RBL) by encouraging businesses, shops, offices and individuals to pause to remember at 11am.

RICH HORTON

DIRECTOR – LEADERSHIP COACH, PODCAST HOST, AND CO-FOUNDER

ZENTANO

Many leaders appear confident on the outside but experience self-doubt, pressure and uncertainty behind the scenes. Rich helps leaders develop the kind of confidence that remains steady when the pressure is on. After a successful career in senior IT leadership, Rich discovered a passion for coaching and leadership development. Today, he works with leaders, managers and business owners who want to lead with greater clarity, confidence and authenticity.

RICHARD CURRIE

MANAGING DIRECTOR

COLOUR CONNECTIONS

As Managing Director of Colour Connection, I have been leading the team through our sustainability vision. The direction of the business has changed significantly over three decades, and the landscape of the industry has evolved, with the heavy environmental focus which is impacting organisations and individuals far and wide. Colour Connections purpose is to transform the existing story of throw away printed products from one of single use and single purpose print, to a brand-new story of offering...

INCOME TAX AND SELF-ASSESSMENT CHANGES

Whilst the Government has stuck to their manifesto pledge of not raising the rates of income tax for working people, there has been a wide range of smaller changes for the taxation of investment income, self-assessment reporting and payments, which will still impact a significant proportion of taxpayers.

From April 2027, the income tax rates for property and savings income will increase by a further 2%, in addition to the higher rates previously announced in November 2025.

D IS FOR DIGITAL MARKETING

You’ve heard of digital detoxes, what about digital health challenges? Well, we’ve only gone and made one – a whole week of ways to improve your digital marketing. Seeing as our Business Boosters are designed to fuel your business with the good stuff, we’re all about finding methods to make your digital marketing strategy smarter, more efficient – and just better – so this seemed like a no-brainer.

GRUNDON WASTE MANAGEMENT

www.grundon.com

Grundon is the UK’s largest family-owned supplier of integrated waste management and environmental services. Founded in 1929, we have developed a distinctive approach that has helped us to maintain a leading position within the waste industry. This approach is underpinned by our commitment to quality of service, innovation and technical progress, together with a genuine and demonstrable concern for the environment.

META ADVISORS www.metaadvisors.co.uk

At Meta, we engage with clients that want to build a clear pathway to their goals. We start by exploring your values, understanding the principles that really matter to you, and looking at how they shape your thinking. This conversation allows us to identify your priorities; meaning we can then base our strategy and relationship around these key tenets. We are always listening and learning from our clients, and we are happy to share these learnings.

WHITE LIGHT HOSTING www.whitelighthosting.co.uk

A great service to suit you with white light hosting, you can find your perfect hosting package to fit your needs. whether its just a small personal hosting package that youre looking for, or you have a business that is looking for centralise your hosting to a dedicated server, we have a plan for you.

PROSPERITY CARE & WELLBEING www.prosperitycare.co.uk

When you or a loved one is going through a difficult time, finding the right care and wellbeing provider can be a challenge. We understand that sometimes life doesn’t go to plan, and there are times that we all need a little extra support and guidance to help us heal, overcome challenges, and live fulfilling lives. We are here to support you.

GAMBIT CORPORATE FINANCE www.gambitcf.com

Gambit Corporate Finance LLP is the oldest independent corporate finance lead advisory firm in the UK, having been founded in 1992. Headquartered in Cardiff (with central offices at Callaghan Square) alongside a prominent office in Mayfair, London, the award-winning firm specialises in advising private and public mid-market companies.

C2S & SWITCH HEALTH

C2S have worked hard to collaborate with Switch Health and National Friendly to bring you an affordable solution, from just £8 per month you can offer this benefit to your employees!

CLOCKWISE OFFICES

FREE day pass!

Try Clockwise Offices for the day with a free day pass for C2S members! Redeem with code:

CLUB OCHO

20% off the main menu when dining at Mirari, Club Ocho’s Basque-inspired restaurant.

20% off the main menu when dining at Mirari, Club Ocho’s Basque-inspired restaurant on Imperial Square, Cheltenham.

COMMERCIAL

Complimentary Workplace Review & Design Consultation

Enjoy a free site visit and tailored workspace design recommendations from Commercial — experts in creating high-performing, sustainable workplaces.

SEE MORE MEMBER OFFERS

PREMIERE KITCHENS AND FURNITURE

Credit Controller

At Premiere Kitchens, we have been designing, manufacturing and supplying high-quality kitchens across the UK for over 30 years. Based at our site in Hardwicke, Gloucester, we are proud to employ local skilled people and to deliver cost-effective, design-led solutions tailored to our customers’ needs.

We’re looking for an organised, accurate and confident Credit Controller to join our Finance Team in Hardwicke. This is a varied role covering credit control, sales ledger and customer account administration.

ABBEY BUSINESS INTERIORS

Senior Business Interiors Consultant

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Consultant to join our dynamic sales team. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in office interiors and consultative selling to identify client needs, propose creative solutions, and build lasting relationships. You will play a pivotal role in driving revenue and contributing to the company’s growth.

If you are an enthusiastic, client-focused professional with a flair for sales and a passion for exceptional office design, we would love to hear from you.

SEE MORE C2S VACANCIES

Watch the highlights of the C2S Business Awards 2026 and find out how you can be involved for 2027 HERE!

Greetings!

Following yesterday’s Budget, many business leaders will be taking stock of what the announcements mean for their organisations, their people and their plans for growth. At times like these, having people around you to share ideas, offer perspective and work through challenges can make a real difference.

That makes our next Big Conversation: Business Resilience in a Changing Climate, on 10th November, particularly timely. We’ll be exploring how businesses can prepare for disruption, adapt to changing conditions and build resilience into their everyday decisions. We hope you’ll join us to learn, share experiences and consider practical steps for your organisation.

We’re also showcasing our members Grundon Waste Management, Meta Advisors, White Light Hosting and Prosperity Care and Wellbeing. We welcome aboard new members Gambit. Read all about them below.

Enjoy this week’s newsletter, and please keep sharing your news and stories with us. We look forward to catching up with you soon.

Thanks to C2S volunteers for a fantastic first week for the Poppy Appeal

We’ve had a great start to this year’s Poppy Appeal at Waitrose Cheltenham, with so much generosity and community spirit.

A heartfelt thank you to Waitrose Cheltenham for welcoming and supporting us, and to their customers for giving so generously. Above all, thank you to our amazing volunteers, who have given their time, enthusiasm and warm smiles to help make this first week such a success. Last year C2S Volunteers helped to raise £25,000 just at Waitrose! We want to make the same contribution this year.

We are also hugely grateful to the businesses whose teams have stepped forward to help: Thanks to some of or volunteers from: BPE Solicitors, Black Mountain Clothing, Brace Creative, Boost Lending, PentenAmio, QinetiQ, Spirax Sarco, Square One Network, Amida Group, Golley Slater, Hewer, Randall & Payne, The photographs capture just some of the lovely people helping us make a difference.

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK: C2S BIG CONVERSATION: BUSINESS RESILIENCE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

9.00AM - 12.00PM

Venue: Dunkertons Cider, Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham

Join us for our next C2S Big Conversation: Business Resilience in a Changing Climate, exploring how the climate emergency could impact businesses and how we can prepare.

Starting with extracts from the People’s Emergency Briefing, business leaders and specialists will discuss the challenges facing people, workplaces, energy, transport and business continuity.

Through expert insights and real business examples, discover practical ways to manage risks, reduce costs and build resilience for the future.

BOOK NOW

CHELTENHAMZERO’S BUSINESS SUMMIT SEES THE LAUNCH OF ‘PATHZERO’: A NEW DECARBONISATION PATHWAY

On 22 October, the Cheltenham Business Summit took place at the Queens Hotel Cheltenham, in collaboration with The Cheltenham Growth Hub, Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, Cheltenham Borough Council, Marketing Cheltenham, and Together Gloucestershire. A variety of businesses attended to learn about our newly developed accreditation system, designed to assist organisations, both large and small, in their journey toward achieving net zero emissions. This event was particularly exciting as it marked the official launch of PathZero, an accreditation system tailored for small and medium enterprises in Gloucestershire.

THE GIFT OF CARING: ORCHARD TRUST LAUNCHES ANIMAL SPONSORSHIP CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT LOCAL WELL-BEING

A meaningful gift that funds animal care and life-changing therapeutic experiences in the/our local community. Lydbrook, October 2026 – Orchard Trust has launched a new animal sponsorship campaign, “The Gift of Caring,” inviting animal lovers and thoughtful gift-givers to sponsor one of the much-loved animals at its Therapeutic Smallholding.

From playful goats and curious pigs to friendly ducks, chickens, guinea pigs, tortoises, and alpacas, the animals at Orchard Trust’s smallholding play an important role. Beyond providing everyday companionship, the animals play a therapeutic role.

RICH HORTON

DIRECTOR – LEADERSHIP COACH, PODCAST HOST, AND CO-FOUNDER

ZENTANO

RICHARD CURRIE

MANAGING DIRECTOR

COLOUR CONNECTIONS

INCOME TAX AND SELF-ASSESSMENT CHANGES

From April 2027, the income tax rates for property and savings income will increase by a further 2%, in addition to the higher rates previously announced in November 2025.

D IS FOR DIGITAL MARKETING

GRUNDON WASTE MANAGEMENT

www.grundon.com

META ADVISORS www.metaadvisors.co.uk

WHITE LIGHT HOSTING www.whitelighthosting.co.uk

PROSPERITY CARE & WELLBEING www.prosperitycare.co.uk

GAMBIT CORPORATE FINANCE www.gambitcf.com

C2S & SWITCH HEALTH

C2S have worked hard to collaborate with Switch Health and National Friendly to bring you an affordable solution, from just £8 per month you can offer this benefit to your employees!

BITTER LEMON CREATIVE

FREE Social Media Content Shoot to kick off 2026!

At Bitter Lemon Creative, we know that standout visuals are the difference between blending in and being remembered.

BLACK MOUNTAIN

Exclusive 10% Discount on Branded Clothing & Merchandise

C2S Official Partner Black Mountain Clothing is offering an exclusive 10% discount to businesses exhibiting at Educational Outreach Live 2026!

BLUE SKY SIGNS

Exhibition Displays and Materials

We are happy to offer a 10% discount on all exhibitions displays, graphics and marketing materials for the C2S Educational Outreach event. Please send your enquiry and reference the event in your email to claim the discount.

SEE MORE MEMBER OFFERS

PREMIERE KITCHENS AND FURNITURE

Credit Controller

ABBEY BUSINESS INTERIORS

Senior Business Interiors Consultant

If you are an enthusiastic, client-focused professional with a flair for sales and a passion for exceptional office design, we would love to hear from you.

SEE MORE C2S VACANCIES

Watch the Educational Outreach 2025 video and book your place for 2026 here