Senior business leaders from across Horsham District are invited to attend our second Business Leaders Forum, taking place on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 9:30am-2pm at Leonardslee Wine Estate in Mannings Heath, Horsham.
This Forum will combine high-value networking with bite-sized updates on business developments, expert insight, and facilitated panels on the issues shaping our local economy. Designed to inform, connect, and empower leaders, this is where Horsham District’s business community comes together to share ideas and drive forward positive change.
Key topics will include building resilient supply chains and sustainability as a growth strategy, with interactive panel sessions featuring local experts, businesses and keynote speaker Jo Fairley - co-founder of Green & Black's Chocolate who grew a £100 million a year brand, launched Judges Bakery, The Wellington Centre and The Perfume Society and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Studies from Kingston University.
The October event will feature two interactive panel sessions. Facilitated by MC Tim Fifield, Sales Director at britweb, the panels will include insights from local experts, businesses, and keynote speaker Jo Fairley, co-founder of Green & Black's Chocolate.
Key topics will include:
Building resilient supply chains - learn how you can make your business’ supply chain stronger and less vulnerable.
Speakers on this panel are:
- Jo Fairley, Co-Founder of Green & Black’s Chocolate
- Tom Denman, Managing Director of Chef’s Farm
- Claire Dean, Senior Category Lead at London Gatwick
- Gabby Day, ESG Manager at Pentagon Plastics
- Sustainability as a growth strategy - hear from local businesses discussing the commercial benefits of sustainability and why it has moved from a "nice to have" to a commercial necessity.
Speakers on this panel are:
- Guy Watts, Owner & Managing Director of Architectural Plants
- Steve Pomery, Director of Tottington Manor
- Anya Ledwith, Founder of Eshcon
Find out more about the speakers and panellists by reading their biographies below.
Refreshments and a light sandwich lunch will be provided.
If you’re a senior business leader in Horsham District, whose business employs 10+ staff, sign up today. Up to two delegates are invited to attend per company.
The Business Leaders Forum is supported by Horsham District Council’s Enterprising Horsham Team and Gatwick Diamond Business.
Meet the speakers
MC
Tim Fifield, Sales Director at britweb
Tim is a polymath, spreading his time equally across digital marketing, business networking, and theatre as an actor and playwright.
His enduring fascination with people has led him to a 25-year career supporting businesses throughout Sussex through networks including Gatwick Diamond Business and BNI, where he currently manages the west of the county.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jo Fairley, Co-Founder of Green & Black’s Chocolate
Serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of the luxury chocolate brand, Green & Black’s, Josephine Fairley is an iconic businesswoman.
From humble beginnings to a global leader in ethical companies, Jo paved the way to others to follow her sustainable business model and continues to provide influential contributions to the industry. With her ventures spanning industries, but collectively themed around the senses, Jo’s experience is vast, yet comprehensive.
For over twenty years Jo has conducted keynote talks internationally. Offering insight to conferences, corporate clients and specialist occasions, her status in the industry guarantees a buzz around any event she attends.
PANELLISTS
Tom Denman, Managing Director of Chef’s Farm
Tom Denman started Chef's farms Ltd in 2018 with the aim of creating transparent supply chains at the same time as shortening and strengthening them. They now advise and supply over 240 establishments across London and the southeast and have recently branched into public sector and education.
Claire Dean, Senior Category Lead at London Gatwick
Claire is a Senior Category Lead at London Gatwick, with extensive experience in procurement, supplier relationship management, and supply chain strategy across both manufacturing and service industries.
An MCIPS-qualified professional, Claire is passionate about building collaborative supplier partnerships that drive innovation, value, and continuous improvement.
With expertise in commercial negotiation, risk management, and contract delivery, Claire helps organisations unlock the full potential of their supply chains while navigating change and transformation.
Gabby Day, ESG Manager at Pentagon Plastics
With over 15 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, Gabby leads on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives while overseeing HR, Marketing, Compliance and Sustainability across the organisation. Her role focuses on supporting business growth through responsible leadership, strong governance and sustainable practices.
Passionate about people, continuous improvement and organisational development, Gabby works closely with teams to drive positive change, enhance performance and deliver long term value.
She is committed to helping businesses achieve their strategic objectives while maintaining the highest ethical, social and environmental standards.
Guy Watts, Owner & Managing Director of Architectural Plants
Guy Watts is Owner and Managing Director of Architectural Plants Limited, a Specialist Plant Nursery and Garden Design Studio based in Pulborough, West Sussex. Guy became Managing Director in 2015 and took ownership of the business in 2021.
Since then, the company has focused on developing a sustainable business model, investing in growing, propagation and nursery infrastructure, developing the next generation of horticultural talent and reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The nursery’s lake feeds a totally self-sufficient irrigation system. Recent initiatives include plastic recycling, solar power, electric vehicles and an expanding homegrown production programme designed to reduce reliance on imported plants.
Holder of two World Records for rowing the Indian Ocean and co-founder of the award-winning horticultural social enterprise Streetscape which provided apprenticeships and employment opportunities for young people, Guy brings a unique perspective to leadership, combining commercial ambition with sustainability, resilience and social impact. Guy is a regular guest speaker at business and charity events advising on small business management.
Steve Pomery, Director of Tottington Manor
A trained Engineer, Steve started his career in Corporate FMCG Manufacturing in performance improvement before moving into Education and latterly hospitality with his acquisition of Tottington Manor Hotel near Upper Beeding in 2021.
Since then, Steve and his business partners have created a destination venue for business away days, overnight stays, family celebrations and award-winning dining at the TERRA Restaurant.
Throughout his journey Steve has been focused on sustainability not just in the environmental impact perspective but the economic sustainability impact on the local community and the financial resilience of his hospitality business.
Anya Ledwith, Founder of Eshcon
Anya Ledwith has a mission to make environmental management the business norm.
Founder of award-winning consultancy Eshcon, Anya specialises in ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, carbon reporting and ESOS energy audits.
Clients include AmexGBT and Benefit Cosmetics. And locally in Horsham: Roffey Park Institute and Pentagon Plastics.
Anya helps clients embed the environment into core business activities and so gives them the results they are looking for: real improvements and commercial benefits.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK ON EVENTBRITE
Please note that photography may take place for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed please let a member of the Horsham District Council or gdb teams know.
FAQS
Who can attend this event?
This event is for senior business leaders in the Horsham District, whose business employs 10+ staff. Up to two delegates per company are invited to attend. You do not need to be a gdb member.
What are my transport options?
Free parking is available on site. If you're using public transport, the nearest train station is Horsham, which is around a 7-minute taxi ride away. There is also a bus stop just outside the main grounds, served by Stagecoach South Route 17.
