Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its Directors Forum event programme for 2025, featuring a range of talks, lunches and activities around fascinating business topics.
The programme features six carefully curated events, designed to provide insight and inspiration to business leaders, while showcasing some of Cumbria’s brilliant venues and small businesses.
Members will have the opportunity to hear from speakers including leadership expert Teresa Griffiths CBE ARRC, CEO of McMenon Engineering, Anand Puthran, and chief creative officer of AIX and a co-director of Everyone Here, Sam Hunt, while networking with other directors from across Cumbria.
Joe Sanders, marketing manager at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “Membership of the chamber’s Directors Forum is a fantastic way for business leaders to connect and discuss issues impacting businesses in Cumbria.
“Building on the success of last year, the 2025 event programme features new and exciting events covering everything from business regeneration and manufacturing to leadership and wellbeing, ensuring there’s something for everyone. We’d like to thank our Directors Forum sponsor Muckle LLP for their continued support of the forum in 2025.”
Membership is available to all businesses who are members of the chamber. For more information or to sign up, email [email protected]
2025 events
Business Regeneration
Langdale Chase, Windermere – March 27, 11.30am to 3pm
Kicking off the programme this year, we’ll explore the theme of business regeneration at the Langdale Chase Hotel. In operation as a hotel since 1891, the Langdale reopened last year after being carefully restored to its former glory. We’ll meet for a tour and a presentation by head of sales, Sharon Brook, on the restoration and its impact on the business, followed by drinks and a two-course lunch in the hotel’s picturesque dining room. Drinks sponsored by the Langdale Chase Hotel.
Manufacturing
McMenon Engineering Services, Workington – May 7, 11.30am to 2.30pm
Join us for an exclusive visit to McMenon Engineering Services. The event begins with lunch, followed by a talk from McMenon CEO, Anand Puthran.
He will provide an overview of the business and share insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Cumbria/UK manufacturing, particularly from an international trade perspective.
The visit concludes with a behind-the-scenes tour of McMenon’s advanced manufacturing operations.
Summer social
Tullie House, Carlisle – June 19, 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Our summer networking event will be a celebration of the close link between culture and business in Cumbria.
Taking place at the newly renovated Tullie House, guests will be greeted with drinks and canapes in the museum’s picturesque courtyard, followed by a tour of the brand-new gallery and event and hospitality spaces.
The speaker for the evening is Sam Hunt, chief creative officer of AIX and a co-director of Everyone Here, a new community arts programme based in West Cumbria, who will discuss the importance of art and culture to business and the local economy.
Golf day
Silloth Golf Club, Silloth – September 18, 9am to 4pm
Silloth Golf Club is one of the finest links golf courses in the world and has been rated as the number one course in Britain for under £100, with stunning views over the Solway Firth over to Scotland.
Players will meet for bacon rolls and coffee before a round of golf, followed by lunch in the club house. All ability levels welcome!
Health & Wellbeing
Hidden River Cafe, Longtown – October 23, 5pm to 8pm
How does what you eat affect your performance as a business leader?
Nutritionist Jackie Wilkinson, will share her expertise on how diet can transform your life and business performance.
The event will take place at the picturesque Hidden River Cafe, where we’ll enjoy a health-inspired menu created specifically for the event.
Leadership
The Villa Levens, Kendal – November 21, 11.30am to 2.30pm
What can business leaders learn about leadership from the Armed Forces? Join us for lunch and a talk from Teresa Griffiths CBE ARRC.
Teresa is an executive leadership coach, speaker and business consultant.
Prior to this, Teresa spent 27 years in the RAF where she rose to the rank of Group Captain, specialising in aeromedical evacuation nursing, pre-hospital emergency care, trauma and resuscitation.
Her operational service includes two deployments to Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Karachi, Kuwait and Baghdad. Teresa has been awarded a CBE, OBE, ARRC and QCVS for her different leadership roles.
