Meet the experts

 

Struggling to find the time to attend an event? No problem.

You don’t need to give up a whole day to access expert support. Perhaps you have a quick question, need advice on a specific export challenge, are considering a new market, or simply want to talk through your plans with someone who understands international growth. The Export Support Hub lets you book a focused one-to-one virtual conversation with the experts most relevant to you, at a time that works for your business. This virtual hub is availble 09 - 13 November, so if interest we recommend signing up today.

The Export Support Hub can connect you with: BIST International Market Teams: speak to market specialists who can help you explore opportunities and understand how to approach specific international markets. BIST Business Growth Advisers: get practical, tailored support to help develop your export ambitions and identify your next steps. ChamberCustoms: access specialist customs expertise to help you navigate the practicalities of trading internationally. UK Export Finance: explore how government-backed export finance and insurance support could help you pursue international opportunities. British Chambers of Commerce and UK Accredited Chambers: connect with trusted business networks and access practical export support. Santander: access commercial and financial expertise to support your international growth. Diplomatic Advisory Hub: connect with additional specialist expertise to support your international ambitions.

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Standing Tall and the DWP - how employers can help support homeless individuals into sustainable employment.

 

 

Good morning, 

 

We are delighted to invite you to a webinar with Standing Tall and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), exploring how employers can play a vital role in supporting people experiencing homelessness into sustainable employment and creating lasting social impact within communities across the UK. 

 

This session will focus on the work of Standing Tall, a social enterprise organisation that supports people experiencing homelessness by connecting them with employment opportunities, helping them take positive steps towards financial independence, stable housing, and long-term wellbeing. 

Employment has the power to transform lives, and employers are uniquely placed to be part of that journey. This webinar will explore how organisations can help remove barriers to work while strengthening their social value, community impact, and inclusive recruitment practices. 

 

During the session, we will: 

• Provide an overview of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and the role employment can play in addressing them. 

• Introduce the Standing Tall model and explain how it supports individuals into sustainable employment. 

• Explore the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices for employers and local communities. 

• Highlight successful partnerships and showcase positive outcomes achieved through employment-focused support. 

• Discuss practical ways organisations can become involved and support initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness. 

• Consider how employer engagement can contribute to wider social value, corporate responsibility, and community objectives. 

 

Whether your organisation is looking to strengthen its social impact activity, explore inclusive recruitment opportunities, or simply learn more about the role employers can play in tackling homelessness, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical ideas. 

 

 Webinar Details 

Date: 1 December 2026 
Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm 
Location: Online via Eventbrite Link  

 

We hope you can join us for what promises to be an informative and engaging discussion. Together, we can explore how employers can help create meaningful pathways from homelessness to sustainable employment. 

If you are unable to attend but would like to discuss the support available or explore opportunities to get involved, please reply to this email at srt.recruiterofchoice@dwp.gov.uk, and a member of the team will be happy to arrange a conversation with you. 

 

Kind regards, 

 

Jo Cranston 
Strategic Relationship Team 
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 

🔴 Just added to International Trade Week: Go live with eBay

 

Discover the opportunity behind live selling

We’ve just added something special to our International Trade Week line-up! On 11 November at 3pm, we’re bringing together eBay, the Minister for Trade, and a fast-growing UK business to take a closer look at one of the most exciting areas of e-commerce: live selling. Join us for "Go live, grow your business: Discover live selling with eBay" and hear from: 🎤 Lord Anas Sarwar, Minister of State for Trade, championing small business growth in the UK and overseas. 🛍️ Will Charnley, GM and Director of eBay Live UK, who leads this new growth area for eBay in the UK. 🚀 Ella Gill, Founder of Bunpops Collectibles, who started the business in January with just £500 of stock and made its very first sale through eBay Live. Less than a year later, Bunpops is aiming for around £500,000 in first-year revenue. 🌍 Lucy Haine, DBT’s Global eCommerce and Marketplace Partnerships Lead, bringing extensive international retail and marketplace experience. Join us for this brilliant opportunity to discover what live commerce looks like in practice and hear directly from the people shaping and using it. This is a late addition to the ITW programme and sure to be very popular. Secure your space today and we will see you there! Business Academy Team

🌈 GPN Networking Evening with Jasmine O'Connor, Co-CEO of Galop

🌈 GPN Networking Evening with Jasmine O'Connor, Co-CEO of Galop

We're delighted to welcome Jasmine O'Connor, Co-CEO of Galop, the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, to our November networking evening.

This timely and important talk, "Still Not Illegal: The Reality of Conversion Practices in the UK", will explore the continuing impact of conversion practices on LGBT+ people and the urgent need for meaningful legal protections.

Alongside the talk, you'll enjoy:

🤝 Social and professional networking

🎤 Speaker presentation and Q&A

🍽 Optional dinner afterwards

🌟 A welcoming and inclusive atmosphere

Whether you're looking to expand your network, learn something new, or simply meet great people, we'd love to see you there.

📅 Tuesday 24 November

🕡 From 6:30pm

📍 Civil Service Club, Great Scotland Yard, London

🎟 Tickets: https://link.outsavvy.com/galop

Please share with friends, colleagues and anyone interested in equality, inclusion and building stronger communities.

#GPN #Galop #LGBTQ #Networking #Community #Inclusion #Diversity #LondonEvents #ProfessionalNetworking

Thank You for Joining Us – An Inspiring Evening with Kate Holvey-Williams

 Dear Members and Guests,

Thank you for joining us yesterday evening at the Gay Professional Network. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces alongside new members and guests, all contributing to another evening of meaningful conversation, connection and support. If we did not have the opportunity to speak personally, I hope we will connect at a future event. One of the greatest strengths of GPN is the diversity of experiences, expertise and perspectives that people bring into the room. A Special Thank You to Kate Holvey-Williams A heartfelt thank you to Kate Holvey-Williams for sharing her remarkable and deeply personal story with us. Kate spoke openly and courageously about her experiences serving in the Armed Forces during a time when LGBTQ+ personnel faced discrimination simply for being themselves. Her honest account of the neglect, abuse and challenges she endured was both moving and thought-provoking. What made Kate's presentation particularly powerful was not only the difficulties she faced, but the resilience, strength and determination with which she has rebuilt her life and continued to advocate for fairness, recognition and equality for LGBTQ+ veterans. The discussion that followed demonstrated just how much her experiences resonated with those present. Many attendees commented on how inspiring and educational they found the evening, and how important it remains to preserve and share these stories so that future generations understand both the progress that has been made and the challenges that were overcome. We are extremely grateful to Kate for trusting GPN with her story and for helping us better understand an important chapter of LGBTQ+ history that should never be forgotten. We are delighted that Kate has agreed to return to GPN next year and look forward to welcoming her back for what promises to be another fascinating evening. The Importance of Sharing Our Stories One of the themes that emerged throughout the evening was the power of personal stories to create understanding, empathy and connection. When people speak openly about their lived experiences, whether in the workplace, the military or wider society, they help others feel less alone while also encouraging greater awareness and understanding. These conversations matter, and the respectful engagement shown by everyone in the room demonstrated the strength of our community. Thank you to everyone who attended, participated in the discussion and helped create such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. A Reminder About Professional Networking One of the great benefits of GPN is the opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas and make valuable professional and personal connections. As with any networking organisation, we encourage members and guests to undertake appropriate due diligence before entering into business, financial or investment arrangements with people they meet through networking events. Taking a little time to verify credentials, references and opportunities helps ensure positive outcomes for everyone involved. Help Shape Future Events I would love to hear your thoughts on the evening and our future programme. Please take a moment to complete our short feedback form: 👉 Feedback Form: https://form.jotform.com/241052103692345 Your feedback helps us continue to deliver speakers, discussions and networking opportunities that are relevant, engaging and valuable to our members and guests. A Final Thought Last night's event reminded us that meaningful connections are built through understanding, conversation and shared experiences. Kate's courage in sharing her journey was a powerful reminder of how far our community has come, while also highlighting the importance of continuing to support one another and ensure that these stories are never forgotten. Thank you once again for being part of GPN. I look forward to seeing many of you at our future events. With best wishes, Jean-François

Jean-François Dor (He/Him) 
  Founder, Gay Professional Network

       Chairman, Gay Business Association 

📧 jf@gpn.one | 🌐 www.gpn.one

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Jean-François Dor  gets people together and makes it happen

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🌐 www.jfdor.org | www.the-network.one | www.the-gba.co.uk

“I am easily satisfied with the very best.” – Sir Winston Churchill

“Life is too short to get bored.”– Jean-François Dor

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobs Guarantee Scheme

 

 

 

Good afternoon, 

 

We are delighted to invite you to an upcoming webinar on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobs Guarantee Scheme, a key component of the Government's wider Youth Guarantee programme. 

 

The Jobs Guarantee will provide fully funded, six-month paid employment opportunities for eligible young people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit and actively seeking work for 18 months. The scheme is designed to help participants develop valuable skills, gain meaningful work experience, and move towards sustainable employment. 

 

 Webinar: 

Date: 18 November 2026 
Time: 14:00 – 14:45 
Location: Online via Eventbrite 

 

During this session, we will: 

• Provide an overview of the Jobs Guarantee programme and its objectives. 

• Explain how the scheme supports young people facing long-term unemployment. 

• Share information on the national rollout and delivery model across Great Britain. 

• Discuss opportunities for employers and partners to engage with and support the programme. 

• Highlight how the programme contributes to the Government's commitment to improving employment outcomes for young people. 

 

The Department for Work and Pensions expects the programme to support more than 90,000 young people over the next three years, delivered through partners operating across 25 areas of Great Britain. 

This webinar will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about the programme, understand how it will be delivered, and explore how organisations can play a role in supporting young people into work. 

 

As a valued trade body or membership organisation, we encourage you to circulate information about these webinars across your membership network, enabling as many employers as possible to benefit from the information and opportunities available.  

If you are unable to attend and would prefer a more personalised conversation, please reply to this email at srt.recruiterofchoice@dwp.gov.uk, and one of our Recruitment Managers will be happy to arrange a meeting with you. 

We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an informative and engaging session. 

 

Kind regards, 

 

Jo Cranston 

Strategic Relationship Team 
Department for Work and Pensions 

 

Fresh opportunities, expert insights and practical advice for your business

 

Hi, Thinking about what’s next for your business? Whether you're exploring new international markets or preparing for important changes closer to home, our expert-led webinars this week are packed with practical insights to help you move forward with confidence. Discover how to use AI to your advantage, learn how to build a market entry strategy for the Gulf, and get up to speed with how to register with HMRC to take advantage of the UK-India free trade agreement. 🚀Running and growing a business 🌍️Selling overseas 💻Digital skills Explore our full events calendar

Running and growing a business

Navigating the funding landscape Wednesday 14 October | 11:00 - 12:00 In this practical webinar, we’ll explore the funding landscape and help you understand which options may be right for your business.

Selling overseas

One region, six markets: Building the right GCC go-to-market strategy Monday 12 October | 11:00 - 12:00 This session will help your business to identify the right GCC market and focus resources for successful expansion.

US food and drink market overview and FDA compliance tips Monday 12 October | 15:00 - 16:00 Unlock US market opportunities while navigating FDA compliance, logistics, and market entry requirements with confidence. How to get paid when trading using a Letter of Credit Tuesday 13 October | 14:00 - 15:00 Learn how Documentary Letters of Credit (L/Cs) work in practice in this practical webinar. Taking your online product business global Wednesday 14 October | 10:00 - 11:00 Identify the best international ecommerce markets for your products and growth ambitions. Breaking into Europe: FMCG opportunities, trends and buyer insights Thursday 15 October | 11:00 - 12:00 Exploring the opportunities and challenges facing UK FMCG companies looking to grow their business in Europe. Don’t delay: Prepare to export under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement Friday 16 October | 10:00 - 10:30 Act now to register with HMRC and ensure your UK exports to India qualify for preferential tariffs under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

Digital skills

From AI curious to AI confident: For founders and small teams Monday 12 October | 10:00 - 11:00 Many businesses feel pressure to adopt AI before their people feel ready to use it. This webinar closes the gap between curiosity and action by giving founders and small teams a safe, practical and manageable first step.

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. Business Academy Team | Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade

Follow us: X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn  The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is contacting you so that we can keep you updated with relevant communications that provide valuable guidance, resources, and support for your business.