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AI adoption for small businesses - Focus groups

Join a small, curated focus group for small business leaders, led by Anthony Impey MBE. This is your opportunity to be part of a select group shaping what AI adoption support should look like for small businesses in London - ensuring technology truly supports productivity and growth.

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Join the conversation shaping a future AI support programme for small business in London

Be the Business is working with London & Partners to understand how businesses across London engage with AI. This curated focus group series brings small business leaders from across London into direct conversation with Anthony Impey, CEO of Be the Business, providing a rare opportunity to help shape how business support programmes are developed.

In a trusted, small group setting, you will share the realities of running a small business today, explore how AI technology can better support your ambitions, and influence policy insights on AI use. Your insights will directly inform future services, ensuring they reflect what small businesses actually need.

What you'll gain

Shape the future of business support

Have your voice heard and help design services that truly meet the needs of small businesses.

Exclusive access to expertise

Join a small, curated session with Anthony Impey MBE, exchanging ideas with someone who truly understands the challenges of running and growing a business.

Connect with peers across London

Collaborate with fellow small business leaders from the capital, sharing experiences, challenges, and ideas in a trusted, interactive environment.

Win a £100 voucher

As a thank you for participating, we will enter you into a competition to receive a £100 voucher with four vouchers available. T&Cs apply

Eligibility

Who should take part?

  • Decision-makers in small businesses (owners/MDs or senior leaders responsible for IT/operations/digital)

  • Business leaders of companies based in London

  • At least one full-time employees (or equivalent) up to 249 employees.

  • Attendees will be selected based on suitability with our criteria and to ensure a mixture of views and opinions in the room. This means you may not be offered a place for one session, but we may be able to offer alternative focus groups on this topic or future sessions.

Dates, Times and Location

  • Duration: Please leave up to 2 hours free for the session.

  • Monday 11th May - 11am – 1pm - Central London

  • Monday 18th May - 2pm – 4pm - Central London

  • Tuesday 19th May -3pm – 5pm - Online

  • Thursday - 21st May - 10am – 12pm - Online

How it works

Step 1

Register your interest

You’ll be asked for a couple of details to check your suitability.

Express your interest

Step 2

We will get in touch.

Once you’ve been accepted into one of the focus groups, we will get in touch about the details for the day. 

Step 3

Attend the focus group and tell us your insights

Anthony Impey MBE will be speaking with you on the day to find out more about your needs as a business leader.

Meet Your Host

Your Curated Session with Anthony Impey MBE

Anthony started his career as an entrepreneur while he was still at school, selling stationery from his locker, and has since started, scaled and exited several businesses.

He is now Chief Executive of Be the Business – an independent, private sector charity that is working to raise the productivity of small businesses and, in doing so, improve employment security, job satisfaction, and standards of living. So far, it’s added £2.1bn in sales and £915m in productivity to the firms it’s worked with.

Anthony is also a board member of Skills England, heads the International Advisory Board at UCL’s School of Management and chairs the City & Guilds’ Industry Skills Board. And he leads the Department of Education’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network – a network of over 2,000 of the country’s leading employers and apprentices.

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to small businesses.

Anthony Impey MBE.

Thank you offer for the Productivity Programme for eligible businesses

Usually £299/month

What is The Productivity Programme?

  • The Productivity Programme is designed for established businesses that have moved beyond the startup phase and are entering a stage of growth or change. Usually businesses with 3 or more employees, but we are happy to talk through.

  • You’ll get personalised mentoring, the support of a full advisory board, and the inspiration to take control of your company’s future.

  • For those who are selected to take part in the focus group, we are able to offer reduced cost places.

  • Usually £299/month we are able to provide 3 months free and a £99/month rolling contract (minimum periods may apply).

  • To sign up, just let us know in the expression of interest form in the focus groups

  • Find out more


Be the Business and London and Partners are working together to support small businesses adopt this crucial technology. We’re committed to understanding your needs today and how we can best meet your needs in the future, providing you with the tools and insights you need to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Reach out with questions

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