On Friday 27 February, we welcomed around 90 members of the local business community to our regular breakfast meeting at the YMCA Showroom on Tritton Road.

The monthly gathering once again brought together a wide range of organisations, businesses and individuals from across the city as well as Lincolnshire, continuing our long-standing, not-for-profit role as a platform for connection, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

With Vice Chair Rachael Hunt stepping in to chair the session (don’t worry, Robert was on holiday, he’s not let off that easily!), the morning began with the familiar open networking, followed by welcoming table discussions that encourage attendees to introduce themselves and share what their organisations do.

These sessions are a cornerstone of Lincoln Business Club’s format, helping to ensure that the room remains energetic, conversational and small groups discussions, from the moment people arrive.

Alongside the networking, our February meeting featured two keynote presentations that addressed practical challenges facing many businesses today – from maintaining healthy cashflow to understanding the opportunities emerging from new technologies.

The first speaker was Andrew Morley, Partner and Chartered Legal Executive at Chattertons Legal Services, the event sponsor. His talk, titled “You’ve done the work – now get paid”, focused on one of the most persistent issues faced by businesses of all sizes: credit control, late payments and the impact they can have on cashflow and growth.

Drawing on his experience in dispute resolution and commercial debt recovery, Andrew shared practical advice on how organisations can strengthen their approach to credit control. Rather than focusing purely on legal remedies, his presentation emphasised the importance of clear processes, strong communication and setting expectations with clients from the outset.

By putting robust payment terms and procedures in place early, businesses can reduce the risk of disputes and protect their financial stability. The talk resonated with many in the room, offering straightforward and actionable insights that can be implemented regardless of company size or sector.

The second speaker was Chang Ge, founder of CG Vision Consultancy and an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Lincoln. Chang’s presentation turned the audience’s attention towards the future, exploring how rapid developments in artificial intelligence and digital technologies are beginning to reshape the way organisations operate.

Her talk focused on translating global AI trends into practical opportunities for SMEs. Rather than presenting AI as an abstract or distant concept, Chang highlighted how businesses can begin to experiment with and adopt new tools in ways that are both responsible and commercially meaningful – such as energy use. She emphasised the importance of human-centred innovation, encouraging organisations to approach AI not simply as a technological upgrade but as a way to enhance decision-making, efficiency and customer experience.

Together, the two presentations offered an interesting contrast: one focused firmly on strengthening the operational foundations of a business, while the other explored how emerging technologies could shape the next stage of growth.

In addition to the keynote talks, the meeting also featured the Club’s regular two-minute spotlight presentation, delivered this month by Connor Pollard of Duke IT. Connor introduced his company and outlined how Duke IT supports organisations with IT systems and technology management, explaining their services in a clear and accessible way for a non-technical audience. 

The two-minute talk is designed to give members the opportunity to briefly showcase their work to the wider room, and Connor’s contribution demonstrated how even a short slot can spark interest and conversations that continue throughout the morning.

As the meeting drew to a close, attendees returned to informal networking, building on earlier introductions and discussions.

The Club will return next month for its next meeting, continuing its mission to bring Lincoln’s businesses together to share ideas, strengthen relationships and support the growth of the local economy.

Click here to join us later this month at March’s meeting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/march-2026-lincoln-business-club-tickets-1984124367394