Early Bird Price Now Available! Stand bookings are now open for C2S Educational Outreach Live 2026, taking place on Wednesday 25th November 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire. Now in its third year, the event continues to build on its outstanding success, delivering real impact for both students and businesses alike. Schools consistently report the difference

As part of our C2S Best Practice series, we were delighted to visit Commercial at their Cheltenham headquarters—bringing together members for an insightful and inspiring morning of shared learning. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was more than just a business visit. It was an opportunity to step back, hear a remarkable

The countdown is on for the C2S Business Awards 2026, and ticket sales are officially open! This year’s event promises to be the biggest and most exciting celebration of business success in the region, bringing together nearly 500 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from Gloucestershire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Swindon & Wiltshire, Worcestershire, the West Midlands, and

A Full House at Dunkerton Park Last week, the C2S Awards Shortlist Celebration brought together nearly 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators for an evening of recognition, celebration, and connection. The event, held at the iconic Dunkerton Park, showcased the outstanding organisations that make up the region’s vibrant business community. Guests were welcomed with a

From 1 April, Rachel Stewart and Jon Rathbone will take over as Joint Managing Directors at Hughes Paddison, following the retirement of long-serving Managing Director Jane Brothwood. Both Rachel and Jon have been instrumental to the firm’s growth, with Rachel leading the Litigation team and Jon leading the Corporate and Commercial team. Their joint leadership

Inspiring Women in Business Profiles As we approach International Women’s Day, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the exceptional women shaping our business community. These are women who are leading organisations & teams, driving innovation, building teams, supporting communities and navigating growth, often while balancing far more than anyone sees from the

If your workspace has the potential to do more, like supporting growth, reflecting your culture, or enabling new ways of working, then next step is knowing how to turn that ambition into action. That’s where the team at Commercial comes in. Their business transformation specialists work with organisations to translate workplace ambition into environments that

Join us in Cheltenham for our in-person insight evening. If you’re considering a career in accountancy after school or college, join us for our in-person insight evening to discoverBishop Fleming and the accountancy Apprenticeships we offer. Whether you’re exploring career options or ready tobegin a professional accountancy journey while earning, this event will give you

Mapping stakeholders exposed untapped influence this business didn’t know it had. Working with Distinct Group, a leading cleaning company, I supported them to map their stakeholders for the very first time. What started as a simple exercise quickly unlocked some powerful insights 👇 🔹 Not all staff experience work the same way  Distinct realised they

We’re delighted to see Louise Mortimer stepping into the role of Managing Director at James Ford Design (jdf), a business well known for helping organisations turn ambitious ideas into clear, compelling communications. With over 25 years’ experience across creative agencies and in-house teams, Louise has built a strong reputation for bringing clarity to complex challenges

Johnathan Dudley, Head of Manufacturing and Corporate SMEs: “The downgrade in growth forecasts and rising unemployment is worrying. Lower growth means lower tax revenues, and without tighter spending control something will eventually have to give. At the Make UK conference, there was strong emphasis on the economic boost that increased defence spending could deliver, but

Creating confidence and fostering enterprise will be crucial if Gloucestershire and the South West is to weather the current economic climate, the regional head of audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe has warned. Ross Prince, managing partner of Crowe in the Midlands and South West, said the Chancellor’s calculations had been thrown out of

Join us for a special charity match as Hartpury BUCS Men take on the Royal Navy Rugby Union in an exciting floodlit fixture, raising funds for Rugby 4 Heroes, our chosen charity. Open to students, families, grassroots clubs, local supporters and businesses, it promises a fantastic evening of rugby, entertainment and community spirit. Event Details Date: Wednesday

At Lillian Faithfull, physiotherapy isn’t an occasional visit; it’s part of daily life. Across our homes, residents are supported by our team of in-house physiotherapists: Martin DeGroodt, Anna Pothen, and Sana Sajid, who help people stay active, confident and independent for as long as possible. Last week we sat down with the team to explore

26 02 2026 – For immediate release Gloucestershire College Commended in First Wave of Inspections Under New Ofsted Framework.   Gloucestershire College is celebrating a highly positive Ofsted report following its recent inspection, becoming one of the first three further education colleges assessed under the new inspection framework. Published in February, the report confirms that

Last week, C2S hosted one of the most forward-looking events of the year — Vision 2026, in partnership with award-winning global agency DRPG Group. Designed to inspire, challenge, and energise, the event brought together business leaders to explore the future of leadership, technology, and engagement. From the very start, attendees were immersed in a dynamic

Preparations well underway for an enjoyable Cheltenham Festival 2026 As Cheltenham prepares to welcome tens of thousands of visitors for the return of the Cheltenham Festival (10 to 13 March 2026), the council is working closely with partners and local agencies to help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. The annual horse racing

Juice Recruitment is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Hulme as Business Development Manager. Dan joins the business to further strengthen and drive our commercial and industrial temporary recruitment offering across the region. He brings a wealth of experience delivering tailored recruitment solutions, with a strong track record supporting organisations with both high-volume and

We are pleased to share our latest Legal Focus with you.  In this edition, we explore a range of topical issues, including: …along with much more. Read and download the Hazlewoods Legal Focus here: Legal Focus Winter 2025/26 | Hazlewoods: Business Advisers and Accountants

The C2S Business Awards 2026 were officially launched this week at Laithwaites, bringing together an inspiring mix of business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals from across the region to mark the start of another exciting awards year. Now in their fourth year, the C2S Awards continue to go from strength to strength, attracting businesses from Devon

A new coffee shop for Starbucks franchisee The Magic Bean Company in Kingsway, Gloucester has reached practical completion.  Robert Hitchins Ltd has developed the 1,744 sq ft drive-thru and coffee shop, in partnership with contractors EG Carter, at the entrance to Kingsway in Naas Lane.  Michael Plimmer, Senior Development Manager for Robert Hitchins Ltd, said:

The National Cancer Plan sets out how the government will improve cancer services so that 3 out of 4 people diagnosed with cancer survive for 5 years or more by 2035. Gloucestershire-based national cancer care charity Hope for Tomorrow was honoured to join the discussion by being invited to feature on ITV’s Good Morning Britain,

A new creative-led growth marketing agency, Mondevo, has officially launched with a clear mission: to bring global creative standards to ambitious, growing businesses. Founded by Matt Hurley, a former Creative Director at an award-winning global B2B technology brand and marketing agency, Mondevo was created to translate enterprise-level strategic thinking into an agile, founder-led model designed

Last week we had another packed house at our Quarterly C2S Property & Construction Focus! In collaboration with our OfficialPartners McLoughlin Planning Ltd, we once again welcomed 60+ professionals from across the Property and Construction sector for a relaxed, end-of-day catch up. These informal sessions are all about reconnecting with like-minded people, sharing what’s happening

Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre is celebrating the end of a hugely successful 2025/26 pantomime season, as Robin Hood and His Merry Men closed with glowing audience reviews, with many hailing it as the theatre’s ‘best pantomime yet’. Running from November 2025 – January 2026, Robin Hood and His Merry Men was watched by over 45,000 audience

As part of the joint enforcement operation during Cheltenham’s November race meet, on Friday 15 November 2025, a Wolverhampton licensed private hire vehicle was inspected by the Avon and Somerset Police taxi compliance officer in company with a Cheltenham Borough Council licensing officer.  As well as finding that the private hire driver was failing to wear his

Kicking off the year with a full house for the C2S & Cheltenham Racecourse Business Breakfast This month’s C2S Quarterly Business Breakfast, held in collaboration with Cheltenham Racecourse, treated guests to a truly special experience with Tom Scudamore, one of the most successful National Hunt jockeys of his generation. Tom, whose career boasts over 1,500

UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets has appointed Becky Hudson as Office Managing Partner of its Gloucester office. Becky, who joined the accountancy world as a school leaver 20 years ago, is a Senior Statutory Auditor at the Gloucester office at Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth. After qualifying as an accountant in 2012,

In a world where “growth” too often defaults to scale at any cost, I’m honoured to work with clients who redefine what success actually looks like. Reading-based Vintage Roots is a standout example. A UK business rooted in organic and biodynamic wines since 1986, they’ve consistently grown revenue and impact by committing to a values-driven

Worcestershire, Tuesday 20 January 2026 – DRPGroup has announced a series of senior leadership appointments and a strengthened UK leadership structure, as part of the Group’s wider strategy for sustained growth following the completion of its 45th anniversary legacy strategy. The changes come as part of the Group’s continued success globally and sees the introduction

Stephen Blackman, Principal Economist at NatWest Tha NatWest Team  Stephen is a principal economist at NatWest. He has worked in both the public and private sectors, including universities, and provided economic advice and insight to senior leaders for over 20 years. Stephen holds advanced degrees from the University of London and has a deep interest

Really good to step out of the day-to-day this week at our latest C2S Leader Boardroom, brilliantly hosted by Lakes in Tewkesbury. ☕️🧠 A huge thank you to Mike Gahir, Managing Director, who shared the Lakes story so openly – from joining a family business five years ago, through impressive growth, and into what’s next.

Lease Electric, a Gloucestershire-based electric vehicle (EV) leasing company, has met with Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Member of Parliament for The North Cotswolds and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, to raise concerns about the Government’s recently announced proposal to introduce a 3 pence per mile tax for electric vehicles from April 2028, known as

Join Cheltenham Festivals at Dunkertons for a fun, high-energy fundraising quiz night! Gather your brightest friends, put your knowledge to the test and compete for brilliant prizes — all while helping us use culture to change lives. Delicious food and additional drinks will be available to purchase from Dunkertons’ stalls throughout the evening. Tickets include a welcome drink

Fire Wardens in the Workplace – What You Need to Know Fire safety is one of the most important responsibilities for any business. In the UK alone, hundreds of fire-related fatalities are recorded each year, highlighting the importance of having clear procedures, trained staff, and the right fire-safety measures in place. One of the key

Robert Hitchins Investment Properties has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of 31–32 Queen Square, one of Bristol’s most prestigious business addresses.  The project, which has been project-managed by Colliers’ as well as being marketed by the National Offices team, has been transformed into a landmark office destination offering 3,012 sqft to 13,116 sqft of high-quality accommodation

Lease Electric is pleased to announce its official partnership with C2S, following its sponsorship of the Corporate Social Responsibility Category at the C2S Business Awards 2025. Through this involvement, Lease Electric saw firsthand the value that Angela, Suzanne and the wider C2S team bring to growing organisations. Their practical support, expert insight and community-driven approach

Are you interested in joining our Cheltenham BID Board team? Our BID company is managed by a small staff team and governed by a Board of Directors. The Company Articles permit a maximum of 15 Directors, and we currently have 5 vacancies. Directors are required to be levy paying businesses within the town and we

Tax returns should be on everyone’s mind as the New Year kicks in, tax specialists at national audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe are reminding. Nick Latimer, tax partner in the Cheltenham office of Crowe, said: “Every year thousands of people fail to file their tax returns on time. For the 2023-2024 tax year,

System 15, the advisor-led managed IT services provider, is celebrating a decade of redefining how organisations approach technology, cybersecurity, and digital strategy. Founded in 2015 to challenge an industry dominated by jargon-heavy, reactive support models, the company set out to become a trusted strategic partner focused on clarity, security, and meaningful business outcomes. “Our mission

As economic pressure builds and tax changes reshape budgets, many B2B organisations are questioning how much to invest in marketing next year. But the companies that will perform best in 2026 aren’t the ones who scale back. They are the ones who stay visible, maintain momentum and keep investing in strategic marketing activities that directly

Award-winning Cheltenham-based Public Relations agency HeadOn PR has expanded its team with the appointment of Liliyana Goodier as Account Executive, following a year of strong growth and evolving client needs.  The agency has seen a 25% increase in its client base over the past year, working with organisations across a range of sectors including cyber and tech, hospitality and entertainment, charity, housing, energy and sustainability.   Alongside this growth, HeadOn PR has recently introduced new services to help brands stay visible online as more people turn to AI-powered

This December, there are plenty of ways to get into the festive spirit with our C2S community 🎄✨. From enjoying the magical Winter Wonderland at Malvern with members Tarren Production ( Christmas Illuminated Light Trail 🎄) Experience Christmas in the Three Counties between 21st November – 31st December at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. Immerse

We are absolutely delighted to share the final results from this year’s Poppy Appeal, and what an incredible achievement it is! ❤️ Thanks to the commitment, and enthusiasm of all of the volunteers with a huge thank you to those that supported the Waitrose Cheltenham stand—and those who worked across the town—we have reached a

🎄 C2S Christmas Lunch – A Wonderful Celebration Together Last week we welcomed around 100 members of the C2S community to our annual Christmas Lunch, held in the beautiful surroundings of Manor by the Lake. It was a fantastic opportunity for us all to come together, reflect on the year, enjoy each other’s company, and

For more than eight years, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with the team at Elmrep. Over that time, we’ve watched the business evolve, strengthen its offering and grow its reputation—much like the people within it. Just as Lee Summers progressed from apprentice to Managing Director, we’ve now seen the same trajectory begin for

We’re delighted to share that outline planning permission has been granted for up to 95 new homes on land west of Marlborough Road, Royal Wootton Bassett on behalf of Richborough. The approval – which was unanimously supported by Planning Committee – marks the culmination of a long-term and positive collaboration between McLoughlin Planning, the Town Council, and the wider

Sandler Training – Heart of England are thrilled to announce that they have partnered with Gloucester Rugby, Sandler led by Paul Hillis and Nigel Dunand, have become Gloucester Rugbys Official Sales Training & Development Partners.Through this collaboration, Sandler will work closely with the Gloucester Rugby commercial team to enhance performance, strengthen capability, and reinforce their

Business confidence really matters because it shapes decisions. When businesses aren’t clear about what’s coming next, they pause. They delay investment in equipment, technology, recruitment and expansion — and when that happens, the entire economy slows down. We’re seeing exactly that across the country right now. A clear example we’ve been raising recently is housebuilding.

The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025 has concluded with a landmark edition, marking a record-breaking year for ticket sales and reaffirming the enduring power of literature festivals.  Over ten vibrant days, Festival-goers from across the UK and beyond came together to celebrate books, ideas and imagination, emphasising the importance of arts and cultural events in connecting communities and inspiring real, lasting change.    This

At Nimble Elearning, we’ve always believed that business can – and should – be a force for good. We’re proud to announce that we’ve joined a global community of companies using business as a tool for positive change. What is a B Corp? A B Corporation® (B Corp) is a for-profit company that has been certified

HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured outline planning consent for the first phase of the landmark £1bn Golden Valley scheme being delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council. Golden Valley is a flagship innovation and technology project adjacent to GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency. The development will strengthen the UK’s leadership

Golden Valley, the landmark £1bn development in Gloucestershire, has launched a brand-new Skills Hub at a House of Commons reception. Golden Valley is a flagship innovation and technology project in Cheltenham adjacent to GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency. The development will strengthen the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI, quantum technologies and secure

HBD, part of Henry Boot, has appointed a contractor for Golden Valley as it prepares for work to start on-site at the landmark £1bn scheme adjacent to GCHQ in Cheltenham. The development is being delivered in partnership between HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council. It will eventually provide around 2,500 new homes, 1.25million sq ft of

Our festive bookings are flying faster than Santa’s sleigh! Reserve your Christmas lunch, team celebration, or festive stay at Hawkwood and let us do the rest. Choose from two or three seasonal courses (mince pies included) in our cosy Cotswolds setting, with private rooms for 6–20 and larger groups welcome. Interested in a more exclusive