The Thames Valley Fifteen has been running since 2007, in which time we have discussed a range of member issues and had the privilege of listening to (and being made to work by) a variety of speakers. The group currently meets at the Forbury Hotel in central Reading, allowing members to arrive fresh and energetic from a train journey, rather than hassled and agitated by driving.

Our group includes some members with extensive and varied backgrounds, and a good mix of young entrepreneurs currently building their businesses. Their most common issues are very similar – about people, leadership and business growth – but they offer each other a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which is what Footdown members really value. By sharing their issues and concerns, and their ideas, in a confidential and supportive environment, members are able to spend time “on the business” rather than just “in the business”. The group has an open and honest atmosphere, so comments and feedback have real depth and value – and sometimes a degree of challenge too.

The speaker programme provides the classic mix; our visitors are selected to “inspire, inform and entertain”. Members have the chance to hear from successful business leaders, experts in many aspects of work life, and thought-provoking, creative and unusual people. Favorites from the past include a marketing specialist, a leading economist and a former army officer talking about ethics and individualism. The afternoon after a morning speaker session is often driven by recollections of what we have heard, individual reflections and shared questions or insights.

Some members use the one-to-one sessions to identify or develop themes to discuss in the group sessions, while others prefer to use them to explore other aspects of their working lives. The relationship in the one-to-ones is as open and honest as in the groups, and members as challenged to think through their issues and how they approach them, as well as getting insights into their behaviour and into leadership concepts and techniques.

Footdown is not a networking organisation in the usual sense, but the Thames Valley members have on a number of occasions shared business opportunities or collaborated in other ways. New members have included those referred by existing members of the group, and those looking actively for personal development and the chance to learn from and with successful people from other sectors and organisations. We are keen to welcome inquisitive, open-minded people from leadership roles across the spectrum, and across the Thames Valley.

General Information

The Thames Valley Fifteen is led by Simon Spindler.

Venue

During the last year the Thames Valley Fifteen have met at the Donnington Valley Hotel, near Newbury, and The Forbury Hotel, Reading.

Speakers

Over the past year the Thames Valley Fifteen have heard fromNigel Risner and Roger Martin-Fagg.