If you prefer in-person events to online, next month won’t disappoint, with a selection of upcoming Surrey events in April specifically created to help Surrey professionals build their local networks.

Don’t forget to check back again soon, as new events are being added to the directory regularly.

Learn something new

We begin April with a repeat of our own highly popular in-person workshop on How to accelerate growth and win more customers. This 2025 reboot, again presented by business growth expert Roya Croudace, will be hosted by Business Surrey in partnership with Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, and held at Guildford Pavilion on 3rd April. There was high demand for this topic when we first ran this workshop last year, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Networking in April

If you like to do your networking in the morning, why not head to Surrey Chambers’ Business Breakfast at Nescot College on 9th April. These monthly Business Breakfasts are a wonderful opportunity to meet a range of Surrey businesses over a delicious breakfast.

If you’re not a morning person, you might prefer to try Woking Means Business, on 16th April at 12noon. This networking event is being offered free in order to introduce the Woking Means Business exhibition, Woking Chamber of Commerce and Hilton Woking, the new home of Woking Means Business, to as many local businesses as possible.

Young professionals

Now something a bit different – Surrey Chambers are launching Generation Next – a brand-new initiative designed to empower and connect young professionals (18-35) across Surrey, at the Tesla Centre (Guildford) on 10th April, 5.30-8pm. The evening will include the opportunity to test drive an EV, as well as networking and nibbles.

Submit your own event

Our own events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience, at no cost. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey over the next few months, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.

The countdown is on for Surrey businesses to enter the Surrey SME Business Awards 2025.

The SME Surrey Awards are an exciting opportunity to support and share in our vision to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising SMEs in Surrey.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are businesses whose personnel numbers are 250 employees or less.

SMEs are also said to be responsible for driving innovation and competition in many economic sectors. These awards are the perfect chance to showcase your work to a wider audience.

As the organisers of the event say: “Business awards are a sought after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business which offers exceptional marketing and PR opportunities as well as increasing your credibility and standing in the eyes of your peers and your customers. Of course, it feels pretty wonderful too!”

The deadline to enter is currently midday on March 27. Full details are on the SME Surrey Business Awards website.

All entries are judged by up to four of the awards’ national panel of judges.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Harbour Hotel, Guilford, on June 10.

SME Surrey Business Awards 2025 categories

There are 20 categories to enter, including:

• Apprentice of the Year
• Best Enterprising Business
• Best New Business
• Business Person of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award
• Community Business of the Year
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Young Business Person of the Year
• Service Excellence
• Website of the Year

There are also two separate Business of the Year Awards – one for businesses with fewer than 50 employees; and one for those with more than 50 employees.

You may enter up to 3 awards categories and 1 public vote category. Each entry costs £21.50 plus VAT.

View the categories on the SME Surrey Awards website.

Further support for Surrey SMEs

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.

If you’re keen to leave the office/home office and get out and about a bit more now that Spring is finally on the way, our roundup of Surrey events in March will be just the thing for you, as many of the events coming up are taking place in-person.

Learn something new

Surrey County Council is holding the last of its current series of free business decarbonisation courses in Spelthorne in early March to help you calculate your business’s carbon footprint and drive down emissions. And Mole Valley food businesses can benefit from a fully funded nutrition workshop taking place in Dorking on 21st March. This event is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and registrants can choose from an in-person event in the morning or afternoon, or opt for an online session instead.

Breakfast or lunch, take your pick for networking in March

As well as the usual business networking events to get your day off to a productive start, March also sees lunch making an appearance on the networking menu. Surrey Chambers mark International Women’s Day, and Mole Valley for Business host a networking lunch, both on 7th March.

March also sees the first of this year’s awards ceremonies taking place, with the celebration of Gatwick Business Diamond Awards on 20th March.

Submit your own event

As ever, our events directory is a great (free) way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.

After a quiet January, the Surrey business community is gearing up for a busy schedule of events in February, with both online and in-person events covering a wide range of subjects, including a few that are a little out of the ordinary.

Surrey County Council’s free business decarbonisation courses in Surrey Heath and Woking in early February offer to help you calculate your carbon footprint and drive down emissions. 

Other course topics this month include ‘Unlocking the potential of apprenticeships for your Surrey SME’ – our own free webinar to help Surrey businesses understand how to access the Apprenticeship Levy to fund apprenticeships for your own SME.

For early birds who like to do their business networking before starting the workday, there are a range of in-person breakfast networking events taking place in February, including Surrey Chambers’ Guildford Business Breakfast on 4th February, and the regular FSB Hogs Back Business Breakfast on 12th February.

Workforce, jobs and careers

If you’re a Tandridge business looking to connect with local talent, or looking for a new role yourself, why not take part in the Tandridge Jobs Fair being held at Tandridge District Council offices on 13th February? And if your CV needs a bit of a polish before you can start your jobsearch in earnest, this online CV workshop on 7th February could be just the ticket.

Events with a difference

Looking for a business event that’s a bit different? Surrey Chambers are holding a pottery and paint networking social for Business Women In Surrey at the Fired Frog Pottery Cafe in Camberley, with nibbles and fizz included.

Submit your own event

Don’t forget, our events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.

Earlier this month Business Surrey held the latest in its series of complimentary workshops for Surrey businesses in partnership with Tandridge District Council and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. This particular growth-focused event, was created in response to business feedback and support requests received by the Surrey Growth Hub.

The workshop was delivered by Business Surrey Specialist Advisor Roya Croudace, a skilled Commercial Director, Founder, and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of expertise in driving business growth.

Roya kicked off the event by busting the myth that winning more customers is all about cold calling and hard selling. Roya then shared her proven sales growth strategies based on developing a strong understanding of your market and building relationships with your customers.

The workshop included a section on what a Value Proposition is, why your business needs to have one, and how to develop your own. Roya also shared strategies and tips for gaining and retaining customers, tips on lead generation, and the art of negotiation and closing.

Roya finished with a helpful section on using AI and digital tools to streamline and support sales and other business processes.

Positive feedback

Workshop attendees were highly engaged throughout, both asking questions and sharing their own experiences. Roya remarked, “It was inspiring to see so many passionate business owners come together, eager to enhance their skills and drive their businesses forward.

“The engagement in the room was outstanding, and the valuable insights shared—both from myself and the attendees—truly highlighted the power of collaboration and learning together.

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our fantastic partners for helping make this event such a success. Here’s to continued growth and success for all!”

Attendees were equally pleased with the growth-focused event experience, with one remarking, “It was a great workshop and good to see that businesses are being supported.”

And another noting, “Thank you for the continuous support from Business Surrey. I’ve signed up for the newsletter to stay informed about future events and services.”

Support for Surrey businesses

We deliver a program of regular webinars and workshops offering insights and guidance on topics of value to Surrey SMEs. Our workshops and webinars are always free to join, and there are no limits on the number of attendees from a single organisation.

If you would like to be kept informed of upcoming events please join our email newsletter  or follow us on LinkedIn.

The winners of the 2024 Spelthorne Business Awards have been announced – with fresh juice company Mejuicer winning the headline award.

Business Surrey was a proud sponsor of the event held in the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury.

It saw the hard work, creativity and achievements of dozens of businesses from Staines, Shepperton, Sunbury, Ashford and beyond recognised.

From innovative startups to leading multinational firms, there was a spotlight on the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that drives economic success. 

Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne, shared his admiration for the entrants. He said: “The range and quality of entries this year are proof of the wealth of entrepreneurial spirit, talent, and innovative thinking across Spelthorne.

“This community is truly rich with business expertise, and their achievements make me hopeful for Spelthorne’s bright future. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. I’d also like to extend our thanks to the sponsors who make this celebration of local talent possible.

“The Spelthorne Business Awards are a wonderful platform to honour the accomplishments of our businesses, regardless of size, especially given the challenging economic conditions.”

Spelthorne Business Awards winners

• Best Overall Business in Spelthorne – Mejuicer
• Best New Start-Up Award – The Stewart Academy of Performing Arts
• Best Small Business Award – Totally Tangerine Cookery
• Best Restaurant, Bar or Pub Awards – Indian Zest
• Business Innovation Award – Thames Side Brewery
• Sustainability Award – Mova Hairdressing Ltd
• Best Franchise Award – Right at Home Richmond & Twickenham
• Retail Excellence Award – Mejuicer
• Best Hospitality & Leisure Business – The Magpie Pub
• Best Construction & Property Business – Prestige Interiors
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Visit Staines
• Best Business in Staines & Laleham – Specsavers Staines
• Best Business in Ashford & Stanwell – Totally Tangerine Cookery
• Best Business in Sunbury & Halliford – The Magpie Pub
• Best Business in Shepperton & Charlton – Village Matters Ltd

For a full list of finalists, visit the Spelthorne Business Awards website.

Get free support for your business

Looking to turn your business into an award-winning enterprise?

Our team of experts have decades of experience in helping businesses. They can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your organisation. Start your journey by:

• Getting free support to grow your business via our Business Support Form.
• Signing up to our newsletter for regular updates on news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.
• Searching more than 120 different local, regional and national support schemes in our service directory.

Events and awards

As 2024 draws to a close, we continue to offer collaborative ways to boost your business that fit around the working day.  Highlights are included here but don’t forget to check out the full list of Surrey events in December on our events page.

This month’s events include our own free, in-person workshop to Accelerate Growth and Win More Customers (do register to avoid disappointment – there are only a few spaces left now), as well as a half-day course on Customs Procedures and Documentation

Festive events

If you fancy getting festive at the same time as networking and learning, why not join Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for their Festive Learning Lunch (12 December) get-together, or the Surrey Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Lunch (18 December).

Online events

If you can’t make the in-person events, put the kettle on and join on-line for the IoD Surrey Branch Directors Member Coffee & Connect (3 December), or how about the nTrust 5 Cool things to do with Copilot (4 December) webinar to learn how to maximise your use of Microsoft 365’s AI capabilities?

Submit your own event

Don’t forget, our events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.