Latest News | 16 June 2021
Entrepreneur raises a glass with new networking club
One half of the couple behind Colleague Box is launching a new informal online networking group, which combines beer and business.
Adam Bamford, who co-founded the doorstep gifting service with wife Natalie, is behind the new Beer and Business Club.
Meeting on the last Thursday of each month at 8pm, the networking club offers the chance for business owners to chat online over a few beers.
At the heart of the concept is a chance to sample some of the latest craft beers, which will have been carefully chosen by Adam and his team and sent out to participants before the start of the meeting, along with selected snacks.
The venture is being launched as a subscription-led model with the attendees paying £16 each month for the service.
There will be a guest speaker each month with Karl Shaw, owner of Silver Birch Creative and fashion brand Mr Shaw, lined up for the first meeting this month.
Adam said: “I have longed to have a podcast but I don’t think that my monotone voice is really suitable!
“So, I created a platform whereby I can enjoy a few beers responsibly, we can all relax and chat about anything we want to.”
The meetings will initially take place online and those who sign up to the service before 17 June will receive 50% off any Colleague Box.
Adam said: “We might get just two people signing up or we might get 1,000 but it’s going to be fun, regardless.
“I’ve carefully chosen the first box and I’m excited for everyone to see it.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming our first guest, Karl Shaw, who is someone I’ve admired for a while.
“Like me, Karl is a big football fan – he’s a Derby County season ticket holder too.
“I’m sure, with the European Championships coming up very soon, that there will be talk of football during our sessions.”
Wife Natalie will also be attending the Beer and Business Club meetings. She is currently busy with the Colleague Box business, working on new products, collaborations and expansion plans.
She said: “These are exciting times for Colleague Box. We’re hopefully moving in our new place, on the Northedge Business Park, in Derby, very soon and our new-look website should be fully operational over the next couple of months.
“It incredible to think that 12 months ago Colleague Box was just an idea we had so that employers could stay in touch with staff who were either furloughed or working remotely due to the first coronavirus lockdown.
“We now have more than 40 different Colleague Boxes with plans for pop-up events over the summer too.”
To subscribe to the Beer and Business Club visit colleaguebox.co.uk. If you would like to be a guest at one of the sessions e-mail adam.bamford@colleaguebox.co.uk.
