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The premier peer to peer business growth network for MDs and Directors
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The premier peer to peer business growth network for MDs and Directors.
2014–2015
“ I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others.” Socrates
“I’ve found the
entrepreneurial spirit
and collaboration of
MDHUB to be invaluable.”
Nikki Gatenby
PROPELLERNET
History of the MDHUB and who is behind itEstablished in 2002, the network was originally called the HUB 100. From its concept, it was funded entirely by SEEDA and Brighton and Hove City Council. The core membership developed from Brighton and Hove companies and it was free of charge to join.
In 2007 SEEDA decided that this maverick HUB 100 no longer fitted their model and gave notice of discontinued funding.
Phil Green and Fiona Shafer, who had been working part time as facilitators for the HUB 100, decided to take the business on at their own risk. In 2008 the project was named MDHUB and became a commercially run, privately owned limited company. This meant the introduction of membership fees and, ironically, the unique achievement from the Enterprise Hub programme of a self-sustaining model.
This in itself is a rare achievement given that most government funded projects are no longer sustainable once the funding is removed.
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Who are we and what do we do?
The MDHUB is the premier peer to peer business support network for Managing Directors and Senior Board Directors in the South of England.Solve your problems, lift the pressure, find ways through the blocks, grow your business with the support of the only people who really understand what you are going through — your own peer group of like-minded entrepreneurial Managing Directors and Directors.
We have built a team of experienced and skilled facilitators and advisors who bring a breadth of expertise to all that we do. They ensure that all of our Peer to Peer workgroups and leadership and management training are undertaken in a confidential, open and honest environment, whilst ensuring that you get the support and help that you need — whether it’s problem solving or testing new ideas.
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2,879 hours were spent by MDHUB members developing themselves and their businesses with us in 2014. An increase of 379 hours on 2013.
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Phil Green
Kerry Kyriacou
Fi Shafer
Phil Ashford
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Meet the teamPhil specialises in management, business development and strategic support to SMEs and management and staff development for large companies. A qualified accountant and trained facilitator, Phil has designed and delivered strategic team conferences for blue chip companies from global retail brands to the finance and media industries.
Kerry is passionate about guiding business owners to realise their full potential, maximise business performance and achieve business excellence. Kerry specialises in strategic development, buying for profit, sales, marketing and distribution as well as budgetary control.
Fi became a Director of the MDHUB in 2008 after working as a facilitator with the organisation since 2004. A business adviser and strategist by profession, Fi has a passion for working with entrepreneurs and assisting them in exceeding their own potential and that of their teams. She has the same belief in the extraordinary value that peer to peer learning has to offer as she did when she first joined the MDHUB.
Phil is a social entrepreneur who co-owns and runs a growing not for profit agency (Enterprise Exchange). He has an extensive background in business development in both the private and public sector ranging from City firms to Universities and SMEs. He is a Prince2 Practitioner, holds an MBA and diploma in Performance Management, and is currently undertaking the PTTLS teaching course. He is also the Chair of Trustees for local charity Furniture Now.
Annabel Shilton
Paul Jordan
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Annabel had over 12 year’s experience as a management consultant, leadership coach and coach supervisor. She has a lively, warm approach and brings passion, energy and fun to her workgroups. She is committed to working in partnership with members, providing a hands-on facilitation style that motivates, encourages, challenges and ultimately transforms to enable personal and professional growth.
Paul is a recycled Bank Manager who has learned new tricks and put them to good use. He has had some fantastic opportunities to work in environments where there have been great people trying to do amazing things in business and hopefully picked up a unique set of skills and knowledge as a result. He is also an artist/ sculptor meaning he has made and sold pieces to someone other than his mum.
Our achievements in 2013–2014We are delighted to report that this has been another year of growth for the MDHUB.
• We recruited our target number of 36 companies for the Be The Business project in West Sussex in partnership with our colleagues at the University of Chichester.
• We launched The SWIFT Project on October 1st 2014 to support female entrepreneurs in rural Wealden and Rother to develop their business, digital and personal skills.
• We helped a member plan their expansion into Europe.
• We assisted a member in recruiting a full Board of Directors.
• High-level business strategies were developed for several members.
• We welcomed some of the rising stars of member companies onto our 12-month futurehub programme.
• We moved to our fab new office in Hove.
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81% of members value being part of the MDHUB because it gives them the opportunity to meet other business owners with similar issues.
74% of members say that the MDHUB has given them increased confidence as a director.
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You benefit because
• You will experience our Peer to Peer workgroups.
• You will solve problems that have been holding back your growth.
• You will get fantastic support from your peer group.
• You will find you are not alone, someone will have had a similar issue before and dealt with it — well or badly, and they will share those experiences with you.
• Your thinking will be challenged in a positive way with practical outcomes.
• You will get that time for strategic thinking you have been promising yourself, and a ‘board’ of experienced managing directors to bounce ideas off.
• You will enjoy helping other managing directors by sharing your experiences.
• You will hear of business and funding opportunities.
What are the benefits of being a MDHUB member?
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Your company benefits because
• You will enrich the development of your strategy through discussion and debate with your peers.
• You will be able to benchmark the company’s performance in the market place against others in real time.
• You will be able to assess your management style, control and information against people and companies that you know well and respect.
• You will understand the impact of economic conditions across different industry sectors and the implications for your own business.
• You will understand how and why staff perform in different ways in different companies and use the best ideas for your own company.
• You will learn the impact of external parties on others, for example how the banks are behaving or the availability of Government grants and use that information to develop your business.
“...without fail, everyone
comes out of a workgroup
with more insight and ability.”
Rob Day
LIQUID LIGHT
Peer to Peer workgroups
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These are the backbone of the MDHUB.
Developed from the academically proven “action learning” sets, comprising between 4–6 MDs/CEOs, these 2 hour agenda-free sessions provide an opportunity for peer to peer debate.
The fundamental ethics of the groups are drawn from the collaborative processes of Einstein, Heisenberg and Bohr which were in turn developed from ancient Greek principles developed by Socrates and called Koinonia.
“As sole MD it can be ‘lonely at the top’, these sessions have been invaluable to bounce ideas off other like-minded people, and as a result I have been able to develop key business skills and take bigger, braver steps with my business”
Luke Mead, Managing Director, LMS Group
Establish Dialogue Exchange Ideas Don’t Argue Don’t Interrupt
Listen Carefully Clarify your Thinking Be Honest Confidential
NEW for 2015 MDHUB Food for Thought Our evening debating sessions.
This is a new venture for us and combines our original MDHUB Opinions events with an opportunity to eat, talk, and relax at fabulous locations in Sussex.
March 2015: Social Media — why bother?Social media is at the forefront of most marketing activity and key to a lot of people’s personal lives. How beneficial is it really to our businesses or us? Can we live without it? If we can’t — how can we live with it better?
Cocktails and a light supper provided at one of Brighton’s funkiest Cocktail lounges.
Venue: Koba Bar, Brighton
May 2015: Opportunity Squared on Halved What are the benefits from forming a joint venture, merging your business with another or even making an acquisition? How hard is it and what do you need to do to make sure that you are not one of the 60% who are disappointed that it does not deliver what is expected.
You will have an opportunity to have a short tour and tasting with a light supper at this beautiful location at the foot of the South Downs.
Venue: Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common
July 2015: Should or I stay or should I go? When is the best time to sell your business ? We look at what the drivers and mechanics are behind selling a business. This will be an opportunity to hear the experiences from fellow entrepreneurs who have successfully sold.
The evening will take place during the 20/20 cricket season. Evening meal, wine and a game will be part of this event.
Venue: Sussex County Cricket Ground, Hove
September 2015: Employee Ownership More companies are exploring the concept of employee ownership and the significant benefits to both staff, profits and to customers.
Hear from MDHUB members who have successfully explored this option.
You will have an opportunity to have a short tour and tasting with a light supper at this beautiful location at the foot of the South Downs.
Venue: Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common
What will it cost?
MDHUB members FREE
Non-members £75 plus VAT per event.
Food for Thought Members only 12 months — 4 events £250 plus VAT
Contact usFor further information and booking go to www.mdhub.co.uk
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hubacademy
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The MDHUB academy has been designed to directly support our members growth.
It is the umbrella title for our leadership and management services for business.
New entrepreneurs tell us that they need more breadth of management knowledge to support their business drive, enthusiasm and often very specific product or service know-how.
More experienced entrepreneurs need to develop their inexperienced management teams to support them and their business growth.
The hubacademy comprises:
• Two hour Academy Sessions
• futurehub
• hubalpha
• Strategy Days
• MDHUB Consulting
• MDHUB unplugged
“Phil’s experience and insight
have been proven invaluable.
He has become — and will
remain — an integral member
of our board as we continue
to scale our business.”
Rob Virker-Yates
SEMANTICO LTD
NEW for 2015 MDHUB ConsultingWe have been lucky enough to work with a number of MDHUB members over the years with our independent consulting hats on and we are increasingly being asked to do so; you have let us get to know you, and often your staff, so well that we can move quickly and effectively to help you.
These are some of the projects we have been involved in recently:
• advising on and negotiating a £6m sale.
• advising on and negotiating a £2m acquisition.
• developing a strategy for expansion in product lines and territory.
• drafting and negotiating a memorandum of understanding on a joint venture.
• developing a tax efficient share option scheme to incentivise key staff.
• helping to write a 3-year business and financial plan.
• developed and implemented a succession plan for a high growth family business.
• devised a 5-year Strategic Plan and new management structure.
What will it cost?
Members and their staff £100 plus VAT per hour
Non-members and their staff £130 plus VAT per hour
Contact usFor further information and booking contact [email protected] or [email protected]
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“I value the honest and candid
way Fiona will view our business
objectives, management and
development at all levels. Fiona’s
ability to ‘grasp the nettle’
and feedback objective and
meaningful information has
been invaluable.”
Peter Adlington
PLASTIPACK LTD
The challengeHaving returned the business to profitability ahead of schedule, we were ready to develop our next five year plan. We wanted to grow significantly and saw our primary challenge as making sure our growth was controlled. I’ve seen too many builders try to grow too fast with too few resources.
We wanted to look at everything, from strategic and financial planning to people management and leadership skills and sales and marketing. Terry and I know the building business but we’re not marketing and HR people!
Getting the right adviceWe were introduced to GrowthAccelerator by Fiona Shafer, who later became our Growth Coach. As well as providing impartial, professional and pragmatic business advice, Fiona pointed us in the direction of valuable opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be on our radar. This gave us space to have conversations that wouldn’t happen in the normal melee of our working days. Terry and I don’t often disagree but Fiona facilitated a few robust discussions that ensured we examined things thoroughly.
MDHUB CONSULTING Case Study A Perspective from Steve Hayman, Director Cheesmur Building Contractors
About the businessCheesmur Building Contractors is based in Lewes, Sussex. It specialises in residential and commercial construction, building maintenance and refurbishment, facilities management services and heritage building restoration. Now co-owned by Terry Nitman and Steve Hayman, the company was founded by Jesse Cheesmur in 1936 and remained in the family until 1998.
Our growth journey so farA decade after the business had passed out of the family’s hands it was in serious financial difficulties and in 2009 Terry and I acquired it — and its £624,000 deficit — for £45. We agreed a five year plan with the bank to get it back in the black by 2014. We got there by December 2012.
Those years were a complete roller coaster. Not only was the building industry going through a massive recession but we also had our own additional challenges dealing with cash flow and creditors, although we did manage to pay them all back by 2011.
We started by installing some strict business controls and more importantly our, very different, collaborative business ethos.
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Implementing changeFiona keeps us focused on our strategy of sustainable growth, backed by solid budgets and forecasts and good judgment of which projects to pursue to provide the best return.
Fiona has also helped us identify our high-potential people and put them through the futurehub training programme to prepare them to become part of the leadership team — which frees up Terry and I up to focus less on the day to day and more on other opportunities. We also have three awaydays a year to talk about our plans and get feedback from the staff and we are also developing a benefits scheme that shares our success with our loyal employees.
We have put ourselves forward and been nominated by our staff for awards linked to our business success — rather than for our buildings as we had done in the past. We were named Bosses of the Year and shortlisted for Company of the Year in the Sussex Business Awards 2013, Business persons of the Year in the inaugural Lewes Business Awards 2014 and made the shortlist for SME of the Year in the Constructing Excellence Awards 2014.
Thousands of ambitious business leaders are being supported by GrowthAccelerator to achieve their growth ambitions.
Join us www.growthaccelerator.com 0844 4632995 [email protected]
Up from 35 people in 2012
Up from £5.3 million in 2009
to reach £20 million turnover by 2020
to £13.5 million in 2014
JOBS
TURNOVER
AMBITION
to 45 people in 2014
During the 12 months we worked with GrowthAccelerator we grew by 25% and are now well positioned for future growth.
futurehub
What is it?A 12-month programme of development for the rising stars of your business.
Who is this programme for?You have identified a future successor, new board director or senior manager for your business. Whilst very talented, your proposed successor(s) lacks some of the core skills and experience that you have developed to date. You have identified your own and the company’s strengths and weaknesses and defined what you will have continued responsibility for and where you will have to delegate in the future.
What this programme will provide• A consistent peer group to work with on a programme that will last 12 months,
that is designed specifically for new Directors of fast growing businesses.
• A programme that will include the following core areas:
Company Governance — Legal and Companies Act responsibilities and duties.
Strategy — identifying and implementing the next phase of growth for the company, review of business analysis methods.
Finance — budgeting, financial planning, management and financial accounting, financing options.
Operations — understanding the workflows and key performance indicators for the company, developing analysis and reporting tools for those indicators.
Identifying Leadership Styles — the preferred leadership styles of your future leaders will be analysed and developed to maximise their impact and success in the business.
People Management — effective people management, delegation, managing peers and superiors appraisals and how to manage stress levels in high pressure situations.
Exposure to external specialists — Business Angels, Bank Managers and Financiers.
Project management — Understanding the key responsibilities for good project management.
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What will it cost?
£3,000 plus VAT per delegate (£250 plus VAT per month) for a 12-month programme
Contact us
The programme is limited to 8 places; to reserve a place contact Phil Green on 07970 193053 or [email protected]
“The FutureHub programme has
helped me to grow as a manager,
and I have built great relationships
with the people I am working with on
the programme, who are encouraged
to be supportive yet challenging.”
Annabel Daguerre
OYSTER HEALTHCARE
COMMUNICATIONS LTD
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“The honesty of the three
other like-minded business
owners on the hubalpha
course, along with the
pragmatic approach, helped
me make some valuable
decisions about how we
work with existing and
new customers.”
Sam Francis
TEK EXPRESS
hubalpha
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What is it?A 12-month programme of development for the fastest growing companies in the MDHUB.
Who is this programme for?You have achieved high growth and have continuing high growth potential.
You have identified the need for an ongoing growth strategy or exit plan.
You need to understand how to continue the growth, develop your company and your staff and prepare for the challenge of shaping the company for its next phase.
What this programme will provide• A consistent cohort to work
with on a programme that will last 12 months, that is designed specifically for the needs of fast growing businesses.
• A programme that will include the following core areas:
Readiness for growth — what you need, what you need to change and what you need to have in place for the next stage.
Strategy — identifying and implementing the next phase of growth for the company, review business, review growth or exit options.
Leadership — understanding your own preferred leadership styles and what is required for this next phase, managing growth and the high stress associated with it.
Business Analysis — identifying the key areas of your business, whether to focus on a smaller niche or expand the product, service or market to achieve the next level of growth, and then monitoring the correct indicators.
Finance — understanding what Business Angels, VCs and other investors will want to see in your business, what they will demand and what you can expect from them. — How to find your buyer, investor or potential merger partner.
• Exposure to external specialists — Venture Capitalists, Business Angels, Business Brokers and Merger and Acquisition specialists.
What will it cost?
£3,000 plus VAT per delegate (£250 plus VAT per month) for a 12-month programme.
Contact us
The programme is limited to 8 places; to reserve a place contact Phil Green on 07970 193053 or [email protected]
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What is it?A facilitated strategy day for the board and the seniormanagement team.
Where is it?Tilton House, a superb Georgian house set in the midst of the South Downs near Lewes, an oasis of calm and an opportunity to reflect on and then develop your strategy for the business.
What do we do?Provide a mixture of theoretical and practical input to help you develop your strategy for the business, from PEST to Porter and Chaos theory to KPIs, we will stretch your strategic thinking.
Working individually, in pairs or teams to addressimportant areas of your business model, we takeadvantage of the environment, mix thinking, talkingand action and make sure that you leave with the basic strategic framework for your business.
ObjectivesA practical and usable strategy for your business, with a sensible immediate action plan.
Strategy Days
“The day exceeded our
expectations (but why are we
surprised at that?) To find that
the team had views in alignment
with our grand plan will now
make it far easier to develop
our planning for the business.”
Terry Nitman and Steve Hayman
CHEESMUR BUILDING
CONTRACTORS
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“MDHUB provides an
opportunity to focus on
strategy and to offer
support and knowledge
to others. We truly feel
that we benefit from being
part of the local business
community.”
Fiona Martin
MS SOLICITORS
What will it cost?
£2,500 plus VAT for a full day and team of up to 8. An extended 2 day programme with overnight accommodation is also available.
Contact us
For full dates and to reserve a place contact Fiona Shafer on 07734 166923 or [email protected]
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“You put a great spin on
how to keep the culture we
have. It was a surprise! I’m
genuinely excited by the
change and know that we
now have a great opportunity
for the future.”
David Ward
VW HERITAGE
“It was a fantastic way
to find out more about
individuals in the team,
rather than assuming
you know them.”
Retreat days for MDs and Directors
RETREAT Pronunciation: ri’tri:t OED Definition: A quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.
As MDs and directors you are always feeding back to us that you never have time to think… and yet our brains and thinking time are the most precious commodities in business.
We will be offering retreat days in 2015 at our very favourite Tilton House in the quiet of the Sussex countryside.
Our retreat days are designed to take you away from your teams and everyday rigours and allow you to relax, recharge and learn a few ways to look after yourself as you lead your business through the next stage of development.
Great food, good company and fabulous surroundings.
What will it cost?
Members and their staff £500 plus VAT per day
Non-members and their staff £600 plus VAT per day
Contact us
For full dates and to reserve a place contact Fiona Shafer on 07734 166923 or [email protected]
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NEW for 2015 MDHUB Unplugged
Be the Business was launched in 2013 as part of West Sussex County Council’s commitment to supporting businesses.
The workgroups have assisted the delegates through a multitude of challenges / topics, such as cash flow, marketing, social media, recruitment, reaching new customers and expanding into new markets.
The workgroups are facilitated by Kerry Kyriacou of the MDHUB.
Workgroups have been set up in each of the West Sussex spatial areas; Coastal West Sussex, Rural West Sussex and the Gatwick Diamond with between 5–6 Managing Directors (or equivalent) taking part in each of the six workgroups.
These workgroups will continue to meet as part of the Be the Business programme until December 2014.
www.bethebusiness.org
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“The Be the Business peer to peer workgroup I attend is really worth something, positive and encouraging. It has helped build my confidence and I am now planning for success. The additional support has boosted my determination to grow my business.”
Steve Taylor, Sailtide
Kerry Kyriacou of the MDHUB
MDHUB Working in partnership across Sussex
The Swift Project takes offThe MDHUB has also ventured into rural Rother and Wealden areas of East Sussex.
The project, funded by the Government Equalities Office and run in partnership by ESCC and local charity, Sound Architect, supports self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by enhancing their digital skills and enabling them to take advantage of the faster and more reliable broadband that ESCC is putting in place, particularly in rural areas.
Well over 40 women have signed up to access the part-time training and support between October and March 2015. Those involved come from varied backgrounds with some already running established businesses and some who have a germ of an idea but want some help and advice to get started.
Becky Shaw explained, “Nationally, there could be an extra one million female entrepreneurs if women started businesses at the same rate as men. Locally, of those in self-employment, only 13,200 are women, compared to 37,000 men, which is well below the national average.
In East Sussex, we think that around £295m can be generated over the next 10 years through better access to and use of improved broadband and that’s why we are absolutely committed to business growth through investment in business essential infrastructure.”
The launch event included an opportunity to hear from an inspirational woman already running a successful business in the County. Marian Harding of Court Lodge Organics explained how she had set up her organic pouring yoghurt business in 2001 and now employed a small team of people and supplied big household names like Waitrose and Able and Cole.
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“There has never been a greater
need or time for women to start
and run a business.”
Becky Shaw
Chief Executive of East Sussex County
Council (ESCC) at the launch of the
Swift Project 2014, Robertsbridge
www.emilynashillustration.com
“My thinking has been
really stimulated and
opportunities to be more
engaged with the business
community are growing.”
John Thacker
CLARK BROWNSCOMBE
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Join MDHUB
We are very proud of the fact that around 90% of our membership is through member referral.
What we are not is a sales network.
What we are is a confidential and supportive network for MDs and Directors to share their experiences, to grow as individuals and grow their businesses.
Following on from either a referral or a call to the MDHUB Team, one of the Directors of the MDHUB will be in touch directly with you to have a conversation about what you believe your needs to be and to discuss how we feel we can help you.
One of our key skills is being able to fit you together with the right people.
We do not just send you along to a random work group and hope that it will work for you. Based on our relationships and knowledge of our current members we will introduce you to people who we feel will be supportive and inspiring.
Free Taster Session
Come along and join us at a Peer to Peer workgroup.
If you would like to learn more about the MDHUB, attending a monthly workgroup will give you a two hour taster of how it operates.
By attending, you will meet the MDHUB’s experienced facilitators who will introduce you to some of the organisation’s members. In just one session you will develop useful concepts that you can take back, discuss with your team and implement immediately.
The MDHUB provides local business leaders with the opportunity to build relationships with a community of like minded people who are looking to grow, share, learn, collaborate and thrive.
Social membership only MDHUB Food for Thought 4 evenings debating sessions per year. Great food and wine.
£250 plus VAT.
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What does your full membership cover
1. Peer to Peer workgroups
2. MDHUB Food for Thought — 4 per year
3. MDHUB Newsletter — 4 per year
4. MDHUB Website — packed with news and innovative articles
5. Annual Future Forward Event A great opportunity to listen to inspirational speakers and thought leaders.
Full Membership Fees
For MDs with less than 3 years’ experience and a business trading for less than 3 years.£50.00 per month plus VAT
For each additional Board Member of these businesses.£15.00 per month plus VAT
For MDs with more than 3 years’ experience and a business trading for more than 3 years.£75.00 per month plus VAT
For each additional Board Member of these businesses.£25.00 per month plus VAT
Payment of Fees In full at the start of the membership year which runs from Nov 1–Oct 31 or Monthly instalments by standing order.
For further information go to www.mdhub.co.uk
01273 311220
“The MDHUB is a unique
opportunity for ‘like minded’
MDs from high growth companies
to share best practice, develop
mutual ventures and increase
B2B spend.”
Pete Tyler
NEILSON ACTIVE HOLIDAYS
“Attending MDHUB workgroups
is a fantastic way to learn about
business. Hearing other MD’s
stories and issues beats reading
business books any day.”
Robin Dally
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED
“As the sole owner of
a small business I find
MDHUB workgroups
an invaluable source of
feedback and inspiration.”
Su Hardy
MOONCUP LTD
