Business Networking
Our hugely popular ‘On The Sofa’ series is back, bigger and better.
We’ll be welcoming an exceptional line-up of senior business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry figures who have led major organisations, built successful businesses and faced some of the biggest challenges in modern business.
In relaxed and candid conversations, our guests will share their experiences, successes, setbacks and lessons learned, as well as their thoughts on leadership, growth, innovation and the future of business.
And there’s plenty of opportunity to put your own questions to our guests.
On The Sofa
From 6pm
Join us for our brand new format: A welcome drink before an informal and engaging conversation with one of our exceptional business leaders from 6:00 pm onwards. After the talk and Q&A, stay for drinks, a light buffet and relaxed networking giving you the opportunity to continue the conversation and make new connections.
An evening of exceptional speakers, stimulating ideas and valuable connections.
- Tuesday 6th October 2026 – with Alison Cooper, Board Member of Angel Investors Bristol and former CEO of Imperial Brands
- Tuesday 3rd November 2026 – with Simon Belsham, Chief Customer Officer at Hargreaves Lansdown
- Tuesday 26th January 2027 – with Mark Allen, Chief Executive of Land Securities plc
Business Breakfasts
From 7.30am
Start your day with a bite to eat, tea and coffee, an expert business speaker and great business connections.
Our Business Breakfasts provide a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow professionals over bacon sandwiches and pastries, followed by a short presentation offering essential industry insights and practical ideas. Join us for breakfast and a business buzz from 7:30am.
- Wednesday 30th September 2026 – with Paul Burden from Perform Well
- Wednesday 25th November 2026 – with Tom Bright from Bright Evolve ‘Removing those barriers to Super sales Growth’
- Wednesday 13th January 2027 – with Anthony Young from Temple Bright ‘When do you need a lawyer when you have AI?
Tickets
Attendance at Business Networking Club events is FREE for Members, who may also bring one guest free of charge.
Non-Members Tickets:
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
The Clifton Club is simply the best place to hear and meet senior business leaders.
Celebrating our Founding Business Partners
Successful business communities are built on strong relationships, shared goals, and organisations willing to invest in supporting others. Our Business Partners embody those values, helping us create an environment where businesses can meet, collaborate, and thrive. It is our pleasure to introduce the sponsors who help make these events possible and whose support strengthens our Business Networking Club.
Angel Investors Bristol (AIB) is a growing community of new and experienced angel investors supporting ambitious early-stage businesses across Bristol, Bath, the South West and South Wales.
Established in 2023, AIB brings investors and founders together to provide not only capital, but also the experience, expertise and connections that can help young businesses grow. Its members come from a wide range of entrepreneurial, professional and investment backgrounds, creating a strong network through which knowledge, opportunities and ideas can be shared.
AIB has already completed 26 investment deals, with £2.4 million invested, principally in early-stage, SEIS/EIS-qualifying businesses. The group focuses particularly on businesses with strong founders, growth potential and the ability to make a positive economic or social impact.
AIB takes a highly selective approach to investment opportunities. Around 30 founders approach the group each month, with just two businesses ultimately invited to present at each monthly investor event. Alongside funding, portfolio companies can benefit from mentoring, advisory expertise, introductions and board-level support from within the AIB network.
At the heart of AIB is the belief that investing is better together. Its community enables investors to share knowledge and experience, learn from one another and collectively support the next generation of successful regional businesses.
The partnership between Angel Investors Bristol and The Clifton Club brings together two strong Bristol communities with shared interests in business, entrepreneurship and meaningful connections, helping strengthen the wider business and investment ecosystem across the region.
Bright Evolve is a sales consultancy built for early-stage B2B businesses. We’ve helped 30+ businesses move from reactive to repeatable, profitable & scalable growth – resulting in new sales worth millions. Founded by Tom Bright, an expert in building and scaling early-stage B2B businesses with 25+ years experience in sales strategy, leadership & execution. We know the realities early-stage sales teams face – and we know what works. Our mission is to make profitable, repeatable, and scalable growth achievable for all B2B founders.
We work with senior leadership teams and owner-managed businesses, often working in industrial, manufacturing, corporate and institutional environments across the South West and the wider UK. While we’ve evolved with the businesses we support, what hasn’t changed is our role as a brand partner and an agency organisations rely on every day.
At Capital Resourcing Group, we believe people are at the heart of every successful business. Our focus is not just on filling roles – it’s on building teams that drive sustainable growth.
We offer tailored Talent & Search Solutions across the UK and Europe, from managed services and professional recruitment to project-based resourcing. But what really sets us apart is our service-first, partnership approach: we take the time to understand your business, your culture, and your operational goals so that we can deliver recruitment solutions that truly fit.
With over 30 years’ experience, we combine industry expertise with a consultative, structured approach – helping you build the teams that will make your business thrive, not just fill immediate vacancies.
At Saffery, we’re more than just accountants, tax experts and business advisers. We’re a partner-led and people-focused firm, committed to our clients and honouring our heritage which dates back to 1855 – it’s the core of who we are.
We help businesses in a range of sectors across our nine UK offices. Our experts work with clients to support opportunity and enable success, providing accounting, audit, tax, VAT and wider business advisory services.
We’re here to help clients achieve their long-term ambitions by optimising opportunities and turning advice into action. From interpreting tax complexities and identifying key financial structures to building tailored strategies for your goals, our team is here for you.