Behind the Business with Kev Stead

Discover Stead Mortgages: Tailored Mortgage Solutions with Kevin Stead In our quest to spotlight the diverse range of talents and services within our community, we’re thrilled to introduce Kevin Stead, the driving force behind Stead Mortgages. Our series aims to offer a deeper understanding of our members, showcasing how they can assist potential customers in…

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Scott and Cate from The Brathay Trust

This week, Scott and Cate captivated us with an update on the Brathay Trust and their pivotal work with disadvantaged children and young people across Cumbria. From their base at Brathay Hall in Ambleside, they’re steering into an exhilarating phase with new leadership by CEO Tracy Jenkins. Their focus is sharper than ever on their…

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Members’ Spotlight – Magennis Plumbing and Heating

Today, Karen and Billy Magennis, the dynamic duo behind Magennis Plumbing and Heating, treated us to a down-to-earth chat about their company’s journey and how they’re masters at turning the old into something stunningly new. With a history rooted in Ambleside and spanning over 45 years, they’ve been steering the ship since 2018, focusing on…

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Members’ Spotlight – Jim Bracken

At our latest gathering, 22 of us came together, sharing 7 referrals and drumming up over £7,000 for our members – not too shabby for a day’s work! The real cherry on top was Jim Bracken’s 10 minutes. As the brains behind Bracken’s Roofing & Building, he’s shaped a key business across Kendal and the…

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Emma from St John’s Hospice Fundraising Mission

In this week’s meeting, we were delighted to welcome Emma, a fresh face at St John’s Hospice, who shared insights into her role in fundraising and the plethora of services the hospice offers. With 18 members in attendance, the session was not only insightful but also a testament to our group’s engagement, marking seven referrals…

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Member’s Spotlight – Julian Wilson

This week, Julian Wilson, our Electrical Contractor, led an engaging session on electrical fault finding for our 16 members in attendance. He creatively involved us by simulating an electrical circuit, enhancing our understanding of troubleshooting techniques. Julian simplified complex concepts, explaining the difference between single and double pole switches, and highlighted the critical step of…

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Aaron Cook from Host and Stay

This week at our Kendal business group, Aaron Cook from Host and Stay shared valuable insights into the holiday home industry. He began with a charming photo from his past in Grange, sparking interest among the audience. Aaron introduced Host and Stay highlighting its rapid expansion across the UK, with around 300 properties in Whitby…

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InGroup’s Burns Night Celebration at The Black Labrador

Last night we enjoyed our Burns Night at The Black Labrador in Underbarrow with 30 of us from InGroup, partners included. We’re not just about business; we’re a lively social crew, enjoying some great moments together. The night was extra special as we welcomed Kevin Stead as our new Chairman. He has big shoes to…

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Members’ spotlight – Zaeed Mohammed

Today, we had the pleasure of hearing from Zaeed Mohammed of the University of Cumbria, who shared some exciting developments in the local business landscape. Zaeed highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities facing Cumbria’s businesses, particularly the dominance of SMEs and the impact of larger companies on employment trends. Zaeed pointed out that the University…

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Members’ spotlight – Izzy Gray

This week we enjoyed a presentation from Izzy at Lakes Embroidery. Izzy shone a light on the apparel industry’s environmental impact. Her embroidery business is pivoting to sustainable workwear to counteract the sector’s high carbon footprint, unfair labour, and massive waste production. She highlighted the stark statistics: vast energy consumption, synthetic chemical use, and water…

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