Discover how a kitchen table idea became a global success

 

Hi Jean-Francois, Have you ever dreamed of turning your passion into a thriving international business? Join me next Tuesday 26 August for Start Your Business: From the Kitchen Table to the World from 10:00 to 11:00 BST. I'll be joined by Tajinder Banwait MBE, founder of Urban Apothecary London, as she shares her inspiring journey from crafting fragrances at her kitchen table to building a luxury brand with over 500 stockists across 37 countries. What you’ll learn: How to scale a business from idea to international brand Turning challenges into opportunities The power of pitching, partnerships, and networks Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business globally, this session will give you the insights and motivation to take the next step. 👉 Reserve your spot now – spaces are limited! See you there,  Robin Robin Hill | UK Export Academy Adviser | Department for Business and Trade P.S This event is part of the Start your Business series by the UK Export Academy. Can’t attend live? Register anyway to receive the recording to watch within 4 weeks.

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Inclusive Classroom Project - Let's Collab

 Hi,

 

I hope you’re well.

 

I’m reaching out to share an invitation to get involved in an exciting new project called Inclusive Classroom – a creative and community-led programme exploring the heritage of queer education in the UK.

 

We’re bringing together educators, learners, youth workers, organisers, and allies for a series of participatory workshops, intergenerational dialogues, and recorded interviews. The goal is to reflect on lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ inclusion (and exclusion) in education — and to create public storytelling outputs that celebrate, challenge, and document these histories.

 

Participants will be able to get involved in different ways:

• Storytelling workshops (in person): sharing and exploring lived experience
• Intergenerational dialogue events (in person): cross-generational conversations on queer education
• One-to-one recorded interviews (online): for those who’d like to share their story in more depth

Each in-person activity includes a £50 stipend for participants. Oral history recordings are remote, flexible, and supported by our team.

 

The project will result in:

• A 6-part podcast series based on the themes below
• A pop-up public exhibition
• A digital archive hosted in partnership with the Bishopsgate Institute

Podcast Themes:

1. Solidarity in the Staffroom – unions and collective resistance in education
2. Our Own Curriculum – POC-led queer organising and community learning
3. Borders and Blackboards – international and diaspora experiences of queer education
4. Learning in the Margins – zines, workshops, peer education, and creative learning spaces
5. The Language of Inclusion – evolving language, identity, and policy
6. Future Lessons – intergenerational reflections and radical imagination

If you or anyone in your network would be interested in participating in the workshops, contributing a story, or being part of the podcast, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re open to collaboration and would be happy to jump on a Zoom to discuss further.

 

Thanks so much for your time — looking forward to connecting.

 

Warm wishes,

 

Ruby

Ruby Bukhari

<ruby@ruthlessinternational.org>

 

 

Founder

Ruthless International
www.ruthlessinternational.org

Submitting evidence for the LGBT+ health evidence review

 

Submitting evidence for the LGBT+ health evidence review

Dear Consortium Members, The LGBT+ health evidence review is currently in progress. Led by Michael Brady’s office, with a deadline of August 31st, the review seeks to gather evidence of LGBT+ health experiences and data. At the national LGBT+ partnership, we are working to help support this gathering of evidence and offer an alternative to completing the form. Our ask is for members to share any LGBTQ+ health-related literature they feel is relevant to the review, that being: Less than ten years old A focus on adults (16+ with some exceptions for 13-15 y/os) Published and unpublished research welcome Not individual personal testimonies, but qualitative research is welcome We will also categorize our submissions into the different sections provided on the form (e.g., which area of focus does it align with, and does it relate to a ten-year plan theme, etc.) as well as providing a brief summary. If you can provide this information in addition to a contact for any follow-up questions, that would be helpful 🙂 If you are unsure, have questions, or want to add your work as part of the National LGBT+ partnership’s submission, please email kelly@consortium.lgbt If submitting through us, you do not have to submit an additional form.

Click here to submit your evidence to the review

Invitation: Public Meeting on Inclusive Education – 25th August

 Hi 

 

You are warmly invited to our Public Meeting on Inclusive Education on Thursday 25th August at 6:00pm.

 

This meeting is part of the early stages of an 8-month project exploring inclusion — and exclusion — in schools, colleges, and community learning spaces. The aim of this session is to share details about the project, gather interest, and connect with individuals and organisations who may wish to be partners in the work ahead.

 

Public Meeting: 25th August

Ways to be involved in the project include:

• Storytelling Workshops – share and explore lived experiences of education
• Intergenerational Dialogues – connect voices across generations
• Oral History Recordings – contribute to a 6-part podcast, a pop-up exhibition, and a digital archive hosted by the Bishopsgate Institute (@bishopsgateinstitute)

Practical Details

• Stipends available for in-person participation
• Travel and food costs covered
• Remote participation options available

👉 Register here: Inclusiveclassroompm.eventbrite.com

 

We would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with your networks so we can bring in as many voices and perspectives as possible.

 

Thank you — I look forward to meeting you (and members of your organisation) on the 25th.

 

Warm regards,
Ruby

 

 

 

Executive Director I Ruthless International CIC
www.ruthlessinternational.org
Company Number: 15885218

from the department of Trade and Industry

 

Hi Jean-Francois, Are you ready to take your business global?  Join us next week for a series of free, expert-led webinars from the UK Export Academy, designed to help UK businesses like yours grow internationally. Looking to join your first event? Book for our Start your Journey call on Tuesday with Robin at 12:15. He'll give you a short introduction and answer any questions.  Scroll down to explore the rest of the week... Check out all of our upcoming events

Top tips for understanding VAT in Europe Monday 18 August | 10:00 - 11:00 Join tax experts SimplyVAT in this session which will support your understanding of VAT implications when trading with Europe. Book now

Four steps to kick-start your venture Tuesday 19 August | 11:00 - 12:00 Hear from Archie Wilkinson CEO of Lifesaver, a certified B-Corp pioneering sustainable charging solutions. He'll explore what you need to make your business a success.  Book now

Top tips on driving automation with ChatGPT Monday 18 August | 11:00 - 12:00 Learn how automation and ChatGPT can transform your business operations.

Unlocking eCommerce Opportunities in Cambodia Wednesday 20 August | 10:00 - 11:00 Looking to expand? Cambodia could be a great gateway to expanding your business' presence in Southeast Asia - come and find out why.

Gateway USA: Exploring opportunities to grow your business in the US Wednesday 20 August | 14:00 - 15:00 Explore the exciting opportunities to expand your business in the USA.

ℹ️ Remember that if you can't join a live event, as long as you sign up you will have access to a recording of the session in your business.gov account for up to 4 weeks after.

Best wishes, UK Export Academy Team | Department for Business and Trade

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fully funded Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme for SME leaders for Cohort 24, starting in February 2026.

 

About the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK Programme

 

This fully funded programme brings together leaders of small businesses from across industry sectors and creates unique networking and peer learning opportunities.

 

For those small business leaders selected to participate, the core of the programme is a high quality, practically-focused business and management education, delivered over 100 hours through a blend of online and in-person residential sessions. The curriculum has been designed specifically for this programme by world-class international and national experts in entrepreneurial learning.

 

The programme will include three residential sessions and will rotate between residential and online learning. The online curriculum has been developed to meet your needs and the online platform will provide you ultimate flexibility as a small business owner.

 

During the course of the programme every small business owner develops a customised Growth Plan to direct their organisation’s business strategy and expansion.

 

The success of the programme is contributed to the right balance of formal learning, mentoring, and peer-to-peer support. Participants of the programme will benefit from:

 

·         Specialist workshops

·         One-on-one business advice

·         Business coaching

·         Access to professional experts

·         Networking opportunities and

·         A network of 10,000 Small Business graduates

 

Eligibility/criteria:

 

The programme is offered on a fully funded basis to small businesses and social enterprise leaders who desire to grow their businesses, create local employment and have scalable business models. This programme is not intended for start-up businesses, sole traders or businesses that are not seeking to grow.

 

The following eligibility criteria also apply:

 

·         The applicant must be the primary owner / co-owner of the business, or the most senior   decision-maker

·         The business must have been operating for at least three years and will have between 5 and 50 employees

·         The business should have an annual turnover of at least £250,000 and no more than £15 million

·         Social enterprise applicants must be commercially operated businesses that achieve their social purpose through trading rather than grant funding

·         The business must be scalable and capable of generating additional local employment

·         Applicants should not have had extensive recent management education

 

Application

Applications are now open for National Cohort 24, commencing in February 2026.

Apply here: https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/uk/apply

Application closing date: Friday 12^th September 2025

Interviews: October 2025

Manchester Pride Networking Event

 

 

Join Hilti for our second LGBTQ+ & Allies Professional Networking Event as we come together to celebrate Manchester Pride and build meaningful connections within our community. The event is open to all, please feel free to share with your employee networks.

This evening will feature interactive roundtable discussions focused on key topics affecting the LGBTQ+ community, followed by networking over drinks and refreshments.

 Event Schedule

5:30pm – Arrival & Welcome Drinks
6:00pm – Roundtable Discussions
7:00pm – Networking, Drinks & Food

️‍ Interactive Round tables:

These small-group conversations are a chance to share experiences, explore challenges, and learn from others across different organisations. Topics will include:

• Creating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace
• Tackling Discrimination & Microaggressions
• Fostering Allyship & Education

You'll be able to select your preferred roundtable upon arrival. Spaces at each roundtable are first come, first served.

RSVP Required: Please confirm your attendance by clicking on the link and filling out the form below. If you’re interested in suggesting a roundtable topic or would like to moderate a discussion, you’ll have the option to indicate that in the form as well.

Please sign up here! We can’t wait to welcome you! 

https://hilti.to/buildwithpride

 Location:
Hilti Head Office, 4th Floor
No.1 Circle Square, 3 Symphony Park
Manchester, M1 7FS

 

Robin Turley (he/him)

E1 Digital | E1 Project and Campaign Manager

 

Hilti (Gt. Britain) Ltd

No.1 Circle Square | 3 Symphony Park

Manchester | M1 7FS

 

E robin.turley@hilti.com

www.hilti.co.uk