Reset & Renew

Welcome

On 20^th March 2024, Suffolk Director held it’s annual ‘helping to run your business better’ event at the University of Suffolk, themed ‘Reset & Renew’.

Held in association with sponsors, Ensors Chartered Accountants, Attwells Solicitors, and the University of Suffolk, the occasion provided a great opportunity for business leaders to network with like-minded professionals and glean expertise from a range of industry sectors

We were delighted to welcome more than 50 entrepreneurs, owners and managers; all coming together to share ideas, discuss the challenges they face, and to learn the importance of self-care and wellbeing as part of a successful business leader’s journey.

Features

After some time to meet and greet fellow delegates – and enjoy some tea, coffee, and pastries – the event got underway with inspirational and engaging presentations from two keynote speakers.

First to talk was Kate Pigeon-Owen, founder of Wellbeing International. Keen to reassure everyone present that “it’s gonna be OK”, she was open and honest about her own journey through stress and burnout and was pleased to share how she finally found the path to wellness. As a leader, it is easy to focus on your team and neglect your own mental and physical health, but it is so important to “put your own oxygen mask on first” and she offered some valuable tools and strategies around that.

Following Kate and continuing the self-care theme, we were pleased to welcome Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind. His talk on the Mental Health Continuum and the things we need to feel safe and well provided a clear path to getting that all important Mojo back. Using the charity’s own Mental Health Toolkit and incorporating some of his own story to illustrate the potential difficulties and solutions, it was an interesting lesson in the innate resources we already have and the tips we can use to stay on mission. Self-doubt as an ally? Who knew?!

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

Q&A

After the break, a panel of experts representing the HR, finance, medical, mental health, and legal sectors answered a variety of questions on topics that included: how to protect your business if you are taken out of the picture, how to find help when you are struggling, how to balance your own wellness with that of your team, and, as an employer supporting your staff, when is enough, enough?

Chaired by Professor Gurpreet Jagpal, from the University of Suffolk, the panel included: Liz Owers from MAD-HR; Dr Charlotte Ridout, from Deben Private GP Services; Ezra Ewing from Suffolk Mind; Jessica Yenson from Atwells Solicitors; Lucy Moore from Ensors Chartered Accountants.

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.