The Business Group is focused on the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire’s Anne Cadbury Award to Apprentices, which assists students to remain in or develop their career by providing a bursary. It also supports the Honourable Company annual Gloucestershire Schools’ Christmas Programme, and an annual Business lecture in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire.
Objectives
The HCG Business Group will, continue to develop relationships between the Company, businesses and educational establishments in the county, through the following objectives:
- Sustain the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire’s Anne Cadbury Award for Apprentices with the objective of reaching all Craft apprentices within Gloucestershire.
- Monitor and develop the Company’s contribution to Gloucestershire’s strategic plans
- Deliver at least one Business related lecture for Company members and the general public annually.
- Continue to deliver the Annual Gloucestershire Schools’ Christmas Lectures.
- Deliver a business mentoring programme for Honourable Company members
Mentoring
In January 2025, the Business Group agreed with “The Growth Hub” that we could connect with them to offer Honourable Company mentors to support/mentor local business leaders, who wish to grow their business. The contact at that time was David Chapman but, as often happens on these occasions, David has moved on to pursue his own consultancy, however, the mentoring opportunity is still open to HCG members. The BG Chair notes that the business leaders that require mentoring are usually “start ups” or small businesses wishing to take those first steps towards growth. Our new contact, should any member wish to embarked on this type of business mentoring opportunity, is the Growth Hub Operations Manager, Samantha Hoad, samantha.hoad@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Local Government Reorganisation
In June 2026, the Warden submitted a letter to the review of local government structures in Gloucestershire, based largely on the input of the Business interest group. That letter can be viewed here.
Committee Members
- Michael Jones (Chair)
- Patrick Brooke
- Simon Costa
- Nicola de longh
- Carol Freeman
- Tom Frost
- Andy Downton
- Graham Howell
- Brian Kemp
- Dame Claire Marchant
- Paul Markey
- Jonathan Marwood
- Anthony Poeton
- Chris Pockett
- Peter Randall
- Henry Robinson
- John Thurston
- Martyn White
- Steve Wood
