On Friday 25th July 2025, the Biggleswade Business Forum brought together local leaders, entrepreneurs, developers, and policy-makers for a dynamic morning of presentations, discussions, and collaboration at The Orchard Community Centre’s Page Hall.
The event, which ran from 10am to 1pm, opened with a warm welcome and introduction from the Town Mayor, Cllr Jonathan Woodhead, setting the tone for a day focused on fostering local economic development and identifying opportunities for sustainable business growth.
Attendees were treated to a diverse and insightful panel of speakers during the “Business in Bedfordshire” session. Shahida Parkar, Business Sector and Growth Manager at Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), kicked off the presentations, followed by Richard Fuller, MP for North Bedfordshire, who spoke about regional economic priorities.
Andrew Munro, Managing Director of Smith Myers Communications Ltd and recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation 2024, inspired attendees with stories of technological innovation and global impact from a local base.
Jake Howard and Tom Leeming of Tritax Big Box Developments shared progress and vision for development in and around Biggleswade, while Debbie Lee, Managing Director of Social Enterprise East of England, highlighted the importance of inclusive growth and community-focused enterprise.
After a short networking break, delegates were divided into discussion groups, each tackling a pressing local issue.
The event concluded with a lively and engaging panel discussion on “Business Development and Support,” featuring representatives from the CBC business team, Richard Fuller MP, Tritax Big Box Developments, Smith Myers Communications Ltd, and SEEE.
As the Mayor brought the event to a close, emerging actions and commitments were noted – ensuring that the energy and momentum of the day will carry forward into tangible outcomes for Biggleswade’s business community.
One of the outcomes was the idea of a Social Enterprise Summit, pulling together local social enterprises.
The Forum achieved its objectives: promoting awareness of the local and regional business landscape, highlighting growth opportunities, and encouraging collaboration across sectors.
Most importantly, it reaffirmed Biggleswade as a vibrant and promising place to invest, innovate, and grow.
