On The Sofa Business Networking – June
Members and guests attending the third in our series of our “On The Sofa” interviews of Clifton Club members this June.
Tabled as a networking event, this evening has grown tremendously, providing the perfect opportunity for our Members to meet and engage, whilst learning more about the Club’s members interesting careers and life experiences.
This exceptionally successful Business Networking Club became a part of The Clifton Club fabric bringing together our “working” members regularly to network and grow mutually beneficial relationships. Our third “on the sofa” featured Clifton Club members Jerry Barnes and Mark Mason who shared their life and career experiences to date.
Attendees received a complimentary glass of wine, before moving into the dining room where Jerry and Mark were “on the sofa” ready to be interviewed by past Chairman Mike Beesley.
First up was Jerry Barnes. Jerry founded the Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) in 2016. This initially had 5 other members who are experienced investors in growing businesses. This has now grown to nearly 100 members and in the first 5 years has invested over £10m in more than 30 local start-ups. BPEC is now the major Angel group in the South West and is playing a significant role in Bristol’s commercial success. Jerry is also the Managing Director of Bristol Private Office Services (BPOS) a multi-family office providing strategic advice and administrative services.
Previously Jerry headed up Smith & Williamson’s Private Client Tax Department in Bristol and was the main contact for their Family Office service in South West. He also previously worked for Saffery Champness for 28 years. Jerry is past Chairman of the The Clifton Club, a proud Cornishman, he is a member of the MCC and a keen follower of country pursuits.
Second up was Dr Mark Mason MBE. Mark is a serial entrepreneur; mentor, chairman, charity trustee, angel investor, university governor and hot air balloonist. He has set up and sold three businesses, a digital marketing agency called Mason Zimbler, an app development business called Mubaloo and an R&D Tax Credit business called Forrest Brown. He is currently a Director of Bristol Private Equity Club and has a couple of active non-exec roles.
Jerry and Mark’s passion for Bristol business and entrepreneurship was clearly felt, and Members were keen to ask questions following the interview, with Jerry and Mark both delivering their outlook on the future landscape for the business sectors following Brexit and the war in Ukraine.
The evening concluded with a mezze buffet, and plenty more drinks in The Drawing Room Bar. The event this month was sponsored by Cazenove Capital
For more information on our Business Networking Events, please email Membership & Marketing Manager katherine@thecliftonclub.co.uk
