What If? 
Business continuity, risk management and strategy

Welcome

Have you considered what would happen to your company if you were taken out of the picture? Have you got a plan in place for any incidents or accidents that may cause disruption to your business?

These were the questions being considered at the Norfolk Director event on June 11, 2025.

Held in association with our sponsors, Westcotec and Larking Gowen, we welcomed more than 50 entrepreneurs, owners and managers to The Forum in Norwich for an informative and educational morning based around the theme – ‘What if?’. The focus was on business continuity, planning and strategy, with those present discussing possible scenarios and challenges they may face on their business journey – and, of course, how to be prepared.

The occasion also provided a great opportunity for the assembled business leaders to network with like-minded professionals and glean expertise from a range of industry sectors.

Features

After some refreshments and time to meet fellow delegates, the event got underway with two informative and engaging presentations from our keynote speakers.

First to talk was Dave Courteen, Managing Director of Mosaic Spa and Health Clubs (including Riverhills in Ipswich). Having spent nearly four decades working in the hospitality industry, he has had to overcome a variety of tough situations, including the fallout from a social media storm and a devastating building fire. Speaking to fellow business leaders, he kindly shared his own experiences and valuable lessons learned along the way, including the importance of “defining the crisis” and controlling media communications. While it is impossible to foresee all eventualities, his story has given everyone present a lot to think about!

Following Dave and continuing the ‘What if…’ theme, we were pleased to welcome Chris Spinks, Managing Director at Westcotec – a Norfolk-based employee company specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of intelligent traffic safety and smart city equipment. Having been a police officer before taking over as MD in 2018, he had valuable insights to share on how to deal with a crisis in real time – from assessing the threat to identifying options – and shared how a ‘code of ethics’ is an important part of any company culture.

An interesting morning, full of great advice and suggestions on how to ensure you are ready for the unexpected.

Our speakers then took questions before a break to enjoy some refreshments and network.

Q&A

After the break, a panel of experts answered questions on a range of topics that included: can your business continue without you? How do you plan for succession? What are the cyber essentials to consider? And many more…

Chaired by Sue Wilcock, Editor of UK Director Magazines, the panel included: Will Gibbs, Chartered Accountant and Senior Manager at Larking Gowen; Denise Markham Wroe, Business and Leadership Coach; Alycia Thomson, Chartered Insurance Broker and Head of Specialisms at PIB Insurance Brokers; Carole Burman, Founder and Managing Director of MAD-HR; Aimee Konieczny, Commercial Director and Co-Owner of Indigo Swan; and Gary Rayner, Founder and MD at AnyIT.

This lively, closed-door discussion is a core feature of our regular event plan, allowing delegates to share knowledge and experience in a safe space; a space where no matter the size of business or problem encountered, issues can be voiced and potential solutions offered by anyone present, secure in the knowledge that what happens in the room, stays in the room.

Thank you to all who attended.

We are thrilled know our work continues to support and connect Norfolk’s business leaders – big and small – and we look forward to hosting future events aimed at helping you to run your business better.

Feedback

“Great conversation around ‘What If’ in business – with professionals from all industries discussing Strategy, Risk, Crisis Management.”

“I attended the Norfolk Director Magazine event at The Forum Norwich today and as always the time just flew as we listened to some really interesting keynote speakers.”

What’s next?

Plans are underway for UK Director Magazines’ next event. Watch out for more information on Suffolk Director, Norfolk Director, and Essex Director’s social media platforms.