Business Club Members

Dan May – Managing Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

We loved the fact that Challengers is a local charity, directly impacting their local community and doing so in a way that addresses such a clear need, but is also quite specialist. Everyone we’ve ever met at Challengers has been passionate and motivated and the charity invests all their money on very clearly evidenced programme to impact young people and their families.

Why is being part of our Business Club important to you?

The Challengers Business Club is different to any other networking group I’ve ever been a part of. It’s a community of businesses who primarily, are there because they want to be part of the wider community that their business is a part of. There’s no sales pitches or random handing out of business cards, this is a community of business leaders who recognise that doing good, is good for business.

Debbie Saunders – Audit Partner

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Seeing the enormous positive impact your work has on young people and their families in the local area. The Challengers team are so enthusiastic, it is easy to be moved and motivated to support their work further.

Why is being part of our Business Club important to you?

Connecting with fellow professionals and local businesses who are supporting the same cause – and therefore have similar corporate values – is really important and the ideas that flow from the Business Club sessions, both for our businesses from the meeting content and fundraising ideas are wonderful.

Jon & Mark – Co-founders

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Supporting an inspirational local charity, with a desire to bless local families living so courageously with daily challenges.

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

Always get very well-fed! And always leave feeling inspired and determined to continue supporting such a worthwhile charity.

Bridget Walford – Owner

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

I feel being a business owner in the community means that you support the community in any way you can.

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

100 times better than a networking club that has people just trying to sell to you. Genuine people with a genuine reason for helping one another.

Ken Mead – Chairman

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Having been indirectly involved with Challengers since 1989 I have followed the Challengers’ journey since then. The BEST Business Group have now supported Challengers for over 20 years and we hope that continues for many more.

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

Businesses need to support local charities and organisations and try to make a difference in whatever way they can. Challengers is a unique organisation that can make a huge difference to young people that do not have the ability to do certain things on their own. The support that Challengers give to families is immeasurable and businesses can help ease the pain by raising money and appreciating what others have to endure and to see how every £100 raised makes a difference.

James Lindon-Travers – Managing Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

My late son was a regular at Challengers – it was his favourite setting and would always giggle with excitement on arrival knowing how much fun he would have.

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

Give it a go – you’ve got nothing to lose!

Matt Oliver – Partner

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

We’ve been involved with Challengers for over 15 years, both professionally and personally and in that time, have seen some incredibly inspiring services being delivered to members of our local community that need support the most. Our home as a business is within Guildford, and it feels only right that we support a charity so central to the town – we also like orange a lot!

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

The networking events and opportunities to promote our work have led to some fantastic new client connections and marketing opportunities, but more than that, it has helped us to challenge our teams to tune into their playful sides – not all accountants are boring. We’ve benefitted from volunteering days, a vast array of fundraising ideas, been invited to some glamourous events and been humbled by the stories we’ve been told by those that rely on Challengers each week.

Sean Goodall – Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

From our first involvement in working with you all in the successful delivery of your Stoke Park HQ your energies have been admired. We were inspired by seeing the endless positive spirit of your team.

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

Do it. Very well organised, some interesting topics to debate at Business Club events, embed yourself in the local business community and get to visit some nice locations/events along the way.

Susan Dunk – Manager

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

We found out about Challengers when we moved into our Guildford office. One of our team members at that time told us about the great work you do. We started raising money and donating to you. We were also invited to a couple of functions and could see the fantastic work and all the effort you all put in to make it a great and fun place for the kids. Just so happy to be able to raise a few funds each year to support you all.

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

You are all so inspiring. We at Natwest are excited to raise funds for the local community. Important to keep updated with anything we can support with.

Clive Harrison – Managing Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Challengers is especially close to my heart because my sister has cerebral palsy, and I know she would have loved the opportunities and experiences that they provide when she was growing up.

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

Challengers engage with members to obtain advice input which I find rewarding and I know they are hoping to grow a like-minded community and hopefully we will all flourish together.

Barry Starling – Director

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

Bringing businesses together in a an environment which helps the charity and supports its efforts is amazing; As a small business we cannot write a huge cheque, but being a part of wider group who are all supporting in the same way is encouraging and supportive and shows the power of coming together. Also, it’s an environment of like minded people who have the opportunity support each other and the ability to create amazing friendships and business opportunities whilst keeping Challengers as a main benefiting focal point..

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

Simply put, you can make a difference, add value to the charity, and to the other members of the Business Club. It’s a warm and welcoming community of like minded people from all business types and sizes, together helping each other and Challengers. You never know you may just find a your dream client as a result. A recent example, whilst chatting to a Business Club member, I was asked who would be a great connection, I mentioned a dream client close to us we’d love to work with, in passing he said “I’m related to the founder” I’ll make a call… Most of all else the people involved are lovely and we do have a great focal point that brings us together.

Julian Baseley – Chairman & CEO

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Have been supporting for over 25 year. First met a representative dressed in orange who came to our company and showed the work being done – and we started supporting from that day!

What would you say to someone considering joining Challengers Business Club?

It is a win/win as you give something to the community and get a lot in return.

Sandra Leslie – Managing Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

As a local business to the Challengers centre in Guildford as well as our Head Office The Wilky Group who have for many many years been part of the Challengers family, welcome such a worthy, energetic, community and inspirational charity and an excellent working relationship with the Challengers Team.

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

Always a good turn out of participants and healthy mix of businesses, community with a common interest but always very relevant , interesting and topical insights and presentations along with a relaxed networking group.

Karen Young, Director

What inspired your company to support Challengers?

Most of the Ethos team are parents and we feel very lucky to have children who are able to play without limits. As a business based in Farnham, we want to support Challengers to transform the lives of disabled children, young people and their families through the power of play.

Why is being part of Challengers Business Club important to you?

I value the opportunity to meet a wide variety of local business owners who have a similar world view. The Business Club meetings are always engaging and useful, with great speakers!