Networking In The Golden Triangle: Celebrating The Connectors Of The East Midlands

For many, many people, the name Ian Pownall is synonymous with Mr Connector, and a connector with a lot of generosity at that! We were namechecked in a recent post on Ian’s LinkedIn and it has inspired us to help pass on the brilliance of this post by putting out this blog about it because it is so darned useful!  So if you are looking to network with others in the region, read on.

When we first saw Ian Pownall’s LinkedIn post, encouraging everyone to explore networking across the “Golden Triangle,” we were struck by both its energy and its usefulness. He name-checked dozens of local networking facilitators who bring business communities together, and among them was our own Debbie Porter who runs the FSB Networking Sessions in Bakewell.

Ian’s post reads like a who’s-who of East Midlands connectors; from property-focused events to social summits, from Chamber gatherings to netwalking sessions. The list isn’t just a directory; it’s a living map of where business relationships are made. As Ian brilliantly put it: “We may well be many tribes, but overall we serve the same goal: connecting great people with other great people.” It’s a reminder that connection happens in many ways, and sometimes, the best approach is just to show up.

Why This Business Networking List Matters

There’s no jargon. Just names, faces, and what they bring. These are real people hosting real events. Groups like “Been Networking”- a casual, coffee-fuelled gathering that Ian leads – eschew forced pitch sessions and instead lets conversation flourish.

So if you’re curious about Derby Business Hub, Carrot Networking, or Creative Mornings Derby, amongst many, many others, Ian’s post is a handy guide. Keep it bookmarked!

Where Can You Network With Businesses In The East Midlands?

So let’s get to it and share that list right here too, but also signpost you to the original LinkedIn post so that you can follow along with the live conversation over on LinkedIn.

Click through on anyone’s name below to go straight to their LinkedIn profile too – what a bonus to have a ready-made set of contacts!

• Ian Pownall – Been Networking 1st Tuesday of every month
• Karen Woolley LL.B (Hons) – FSB Networking Derby
• Debbie Porter – FSB Networking Bakewell – 3^rd Wednesday of every month
• Dawn Edwards MBE MBA – All things FSB Bootcamp and the current Chair for FSB in the East Midlands region.
• Paula Abbott, Lisa Baggott, Jade Brindley – who all organise Chamber events in the East Midlands
• Simon Coy & Emily Coy – Derby & Chesterfield Business Expos
• Philip Brooks-Stephenson & Stephen Goddard – Kuku Connect Derby, Notts and Leicester
• Cath Preston – BNI Derbyshire
• Yvonne Gorman – Derby Business Hub
• 📣 Jonathan Leach – Derbyshire Business Network (DBN)
• Steve Wragg – Derby Carrot Networking
• Patrick Burge – Castle Donnington Exec Net
• Ashby Connect – Ashby DLZ Monthly Networking
• Claire Bicknell – Nottingham Catena Network
• Tom Bates – Loughborough Social Summit
• Hana York – Creative Mornings Derby
• John Clarke – Amber Valley Networking
• Lindsey Hatfield – Marketing Derby
• Rob Twells – Derby Room 301
• Fiona Duncan-Steer – Nottingham and Derby RSViP
• Chloe Maudsley – Derby Networking and Padel
• Katy Draper ACC – Netwalking at Conkers
• Adrian Croft – Business Buzz
• Lydia Hawkridge – Founder Mums, walk and Talk
• Eloise Idoine 👩🏼– Rialto Networking Nottingham
• Angela Richardson – All things 4N
• Paulina Patel & Andy Baker 🎯 Spark Networking Nottingham
• Jo Clayton – Walkie Talkie, at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire
• Jaz Greer – 58i Derby Business Networking
• Kevin Drew – Because when he get’s his going, I’ll be going!
• Judy Hart – Investors In Excellence, watch this space.
• Fiona Gavin – Derby Property Meet
• Jo Raghvani & Tracy Fuller – East Midlands Property Meet
• Sasha Stewart – Property Face 2 Face
• Sarah Moore – Stichin’ at the Mercia Marina, Willington
• Tracy Richardson – Monthly meet up at Erewash Partnership HQ Ilkeston
• Peter Dewhurst & Suzy Link – Business Peak District, across the north of the county

A big thanks to Ian Pownall for putting this all out there. Your list does more than mention names; it maps opportunities.

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