Vulcan Works

TMM IRL: Are You Ready For Ads? The Speedrun Edition
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Silvia Coletto, Founder of The Paid Ads School
Topic: Are You Ready For Ads? The Speedrun Edition 🏃🏼‍♀️ 💨 💨
Join us for a whistle-stop tour of the paid ads landscape — designed to help you figure out if you’re truly ready to dive in. Silvia will walk you through everything you need to consider before pressing “go”, share real-world examples, and provide ballpark starting budgets (spoiler: they vary a lot depending on your industry). Whether you’re on the fence about starting ads or you’re already running them but not seeing the results you expected, this session will give you clarity, confidence, and a solid sense of direction.
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
——————–
Partnered with Digital Northants, putting local businesses in touch with digital companies who can help solve their problems, to encourage the growth of business in Northamptonshire. Check them out at https://digitalnorthants.com/
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
——————–
And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £3 to £30 (the average attendees choose to pay £8.79 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
——————–
See you there!

NN1 Dev Club #8
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
#8: Hack & Share – a rundown of side projects by Northamptonshire geeks

After a very well-received Hack & Share event that we hosted in January, we’re doing it again! Come and join us for a series of snappy presentations and demos, where community members can showcase their side projects. This is the essence of passion for software!
Schedule
18:00 – 18:30 Meet and Greet
18:30 – 20:00 Rundown of side projects by Northamptonshire geeks

Series of snappy presentations and demos where everyone can share the results of their weekend hacks. In no particular order, not limited to any category. The idea is to present what our local geeks are about and connect people with similar interests.

Vulcan Works Open Day
2025-10-31, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 17:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Join us at Vulcan Works – Offices & Coworking Space for a day filled with networking, and discovering new opportunities. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or just curious about coworking spaces, this event is for you!
Explore our modern facilities, tour our offices and meet our vibrant community. Don’t miss this chance to see firsthand what makes Vulcan Works the perfect place to work and connect.
Mark your calendar and come along to Vulcan Works Open Day – we can’t wait to show you around!
What to Expect:

Venue Tours Explore our beautifully restored Victorian industrial building—home to coworking spaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and collaborative breakout areas.
Meet the Community Connect with current residents and local entrepreneurs, hear their stories, and discover how Vulcan Works supports business growth
Free Hot Desking Try the space for yourself! Bring your laptop and enjoy a complimentary day of hot desking in our vibrant shared workspace.
Refreshments & Networking Enjoy coffee and informal networking throughout the day.

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works Introduction to Portrait Painting in Oils
2025-11-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to paint a portrait? Are you keen to learn but don’t know where to start? Then try an Introduction to Portrait Painting in Oils workshop, with artist Cordell Garfield.
Cordell is an experienced artist who will guide you through creating a portrait from a photograph. Following a step-by-step process, Cordell’s workshop will provide advice and guidance on painting a portrait from a reference photograph. The process will cover:

Using oil paints
The typical proportions of the face
Measuring and mapping out key features from the photograph
The use of line, tone, value and colour to create the portrait

Cordell will provide supporting handouts as part of the workshop to explain and demystify the technical terms and techniques involved. You will create a portrait that you will be able to take away with you at the end of the workshop.
Equipment
Paints, brushes, pre-coloured paper/board, low odour solvent and paint mixing boards are all provided. A reference photograph will also be provided. We recommend you also wear an old shirt or apron over your clothes (or old clothes).
About Cordell
For more information on Cordell and his art practice, view his website: http://cordellgarfield.com/

TMM IRL: From Dogs to Giraffes – Marketing models with a twist
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Nick Crawford, Founder of Twist Consultacy
Topic: From Dogs to Giraffes: Marketing models with a twist
If your marketing isn’t relevant, it’s ignored. In this practical, fun session, Nick shares his Relevance to Engagement Blueprint. A simple, actionable framework you can apply straight away to plan smarter campaigns. And to keep things memorable? The whole idea comes to life through balloon modelling (yes, there will be a dog, a giraffe and even a rabbit).
Key Takeaways:
– STP a classic model: Learn how to segment, target, and position with confidence so you never treat every customer the same.
– Keep it relevant: Use the Relevance to Engagement Blueprint to match the right message to the right moment in your customer’s journey.
– Lessons that stick: Experience how the same marketing principles can lead to very different outcomes, just like balloon modelling, where the same twists create different animals.
Join us for a fresh perspective on campaign planning and leave with a ready-to-use blueprint to make your marketing more relevant, more engaging, and more effective.
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
——————–
Partnered with Digital Northants, putting local businesses in touch with digital companies who can help solve their problems, to encourage the growth of business in Northamptonshire. Check them out at https://digitalnorthants.com/
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
——————–
And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £3 to £30 (the average attendees choose to pay £8.79 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
——————–
See you there!

Social Media Marketing Masterclass 2.0
2025-11-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
A Social Media marketing masterclass, delivered by Hangar.41 Marketing in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.

Why This Masterclass?
Social media algorithms change fast, but the fundamentals of growing a loyal audience stay the same. This practical, jargon-free masterclass will help you build a stronger online presence, attract new customers, and turn your social media into a sales-generating machine!
Whether you’re a founder, freelancer or small business owner, you’ll walk away with a clear, actionable plan to level up your marketing and make your content work harder for you.
Key Learning Outcomes
You’ll learn how to:
✔ Identify the right platforms for your business
✔ Create content that actually connects with customers
✔ Use scheduling tools to save time and stay consistent
✔ Grow followers and engagement organically
✔ Track what’s working (and what isn’t) to keep improving
What We’ll Cover
1. Introduction to Social Media for Business
Why social media matters in 2025, how algorithms have evolved, and how to choose the right platforms for your goals.
2. Building a Social Media Strategy
Setting realistic goals, defining your target audience, and researching your competitors.
3. Creating Content That Converts
Content types, storytelling techniques, engaging your audience.
4. Scheduling & Time Management
How to plan, automate, and stay consistent without burning out.
5. Growing Followers & Engagement
Organic growth strategies, community building, and staying visible.
6. Measuring Success
The key metrics that matter, plus how to interpret and act on your analytics.
7. Avoiding Common Mistakes
Pitfalls, crisis management, and how to protect your brand online.
8. The Ultimate Toolbox
A round-up of free and low-cost tools to supercharge your marketing workflow.
Why You Should Attend
Struggling to stand out online? Unsure what to post or how to attract the right audience? This masterclass is built for startups and small businesses who want a straightforward, repeatable system for social media success. You’ll leave with:

A clear strategy tailored to your business
Content ideas that actually get engagement
Time-saving tools and workflows
A framework for tracking real progress

No marketing degree required, just eagerness to learn and put your plan into action. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your current approach, this session will help you turn social media into a consistent source of leads, customers, and growth.

Mastering The Art Of The Follow-Up
2025-12-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
You’re missing out on business — and your customers are missing out on you!

Most salespeople never follow up.
The majority who do only follow up once.
And only a small handful follow up at the level that drives most sales.
That means the opportunity is HUGE for anyone willing to improve their approach.
Join us on Tuesday 2nd December as we break down exactly how to:
✨ Follow up confidently (without feeling pushy)
✨ Build a repeatable follow-up rhythm that wins more business
✨ Make meaningful touchpoints that your customers actually value
✨ Transform your sales process with simple, actionable changes
If you want to close more deals, stay top-of-mind, and deliver a better experience for your customers, this session is for you.
👉 Don’t leave revenue on the table.
Join us and start mastering follow-up the right way.

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works Christmas Edition
2025-12-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
About this event

Festive Floristry: Christmas Wreath Workshop with EDEN WILD at Vulcan Works
Step into the festive season with a cosy, creative workshop where you’ll craft your very own Christmas door wreath — all in the warm and welcoming setting of Vulcan Works.
Hosted by Suzie from EDEN WILD, this relaxed floristry workshop is all about getting into the Christmas spirit. Using the traditional binding method on a moss base, you’ll be guided through the process of building a beautiful, bespoke wreath. You’ll have a wide variety of seasonal foliage and decorative materials to choose from — including dried fruits, pinecones, pampas, feathers, thistles, and much more — so your wreath can be as natural, wild, or festive as you like.
🎄 What to expect:
✨ A relaxed, informal atmosphere — just for fun!
🌿 One-on-one guidance in a small group of around 10
🧵 All tools and materials provided
🍊 A beautiful wreath that will last through Christmas (and often beyond!)
👯‍♀️ Perfect for individuals, friends, or group bookings
🥂 Prosecco/no-secco and nibbles upon arrival
Please note: These workshops are for enjoyment and creativity only — they are not formal training or intended for business use.
Spaces are limited and non-refundable due to the preparation involved. For group bookings, please book together to ensure availability.
Let’s make something beautiful together this Christmas — we can’t wait to see you there!

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works Portrait Taster Session
2026-01-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Portrait Taster Session
This session is perfect for those new to portraiture or those looking to improve.
Through the guidance of portrait tutor Matt Waruszynski, it is a chance to see explore some of the fundamental basics of portraiture. These include:
Placing features
Tonal values
The structure of the head
Working from a live model, this taster session will offer opportunity to develop a series of tonal portrait studies.
This session has been designed to be a relaxed and friendly open to everyone.
Please bring along some paper, charcoal, eraser and any other drawing materials you may wish to use.
Host Information
Matt Waruszynski is an oil painter based in Northamptonshire specialising in figurative work and portraits.
He is interested in exploring how the body and face tell the story of our lives. Our body keeps the score of all of our traumas, joys, struggles and triumphs and he seeks to use painting and drawing as a way to understand and tell these stories.
He was won the Sir Philip Trousdell Prize for Portraiture and was a recent finalist in Raw Umber Studio Image Prize.
Matt also runs various life drawing sessions including Drink and Draw Northampton and teaches regularly at Westbury Arts Centre.
https://www.instagram.com/mattw_art/
https://www.instagram.com/drinkdrawnorthampton/

NN1 Dev Club #10: "Bad at CSS" by Keith Cirkel and "Start-Up to Exit: The Journey for Tech Companies" by Paul Jesson and Ian Zant-Boer
2026-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
18:00 – 18:30
Meet and Greet

18:30 – 19:00
“Bad at CSS” by Keith Cirkel
CSS is a beautiful nightmare of cascading chaos. To be truly bad at it requires mastery of arcane syntax. Together we’ll dive into the depths of the cascade to explore the “wrong” ways to write CSS – the hacks, the horrors, and the head-scratchers – and uncover the logic (or lack thereof) behind the language’s most unhinged features. You’ll leave this talk worse at CSS… and somehow better for it.

19:00 – 19:15
Break

19:15 – 19:45
“Start-Up to Exit: The Journey for Tech Companies” by Paul Jesson and Ian Zant-Boer
From idea to investment to exit, every stage of a tech company’s journey brings new financial and strategic challenges. In this session, Paul Jesson and Ian Zant-Boer share insights from their work advising high-growth technology businesses on how to build a finance foundation that attracts investors, supports innovation, and maximises long-term value. Paul will explore the key financial levers that drive growth, how to prepare for fundraising rounds and exits. Ian Zant-Boer will offer a legal and investor lens on scaling, sharing his experience as a venture capital founder and adviser to scale-ups on how to structure for investment and avoid common legal pitfalls during growth and exit.

Accessibility
Our venue is wheelchair accessible, and we provide on-site assistance for anyone requiring additional support during the meetup. While we currently do not offer live captioning for talks, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome all participants. Please contact the organisers with any specific accessibility requirements.

Food and drinks
Learning new things and socialising with others is a lot easier when you are properly energised. Pizza, some sweets and beverages are on us. There is something for everyone: pepperoni pizza, vegan ones, fizzy drinks, water and a selection of beers. You are welcome!

Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs networking
2026-03-05 09:30 - 11:30 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Join Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire for Disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs networking event

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire is excited to invite you to a unique networking event designed to empower disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs. This is your opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and gain valuable insights to support your business journey.
Agenda

9:30 AM – Arrivals and networking time with refreshments
10:00 AM – Welcome from BIPC Northamptonshire
10:05 – 10:30 AM – Wellbeing for Entrepreneurs: Energy Management with Susan Liverman of The Kindful CIC
10:30 – 10:45 AM – Considerations for a successful business from Gareth Jones, BIPC Northamptonshire Entrepreneur in Residence
10:45 – 11:30 AM – Networking continues

This networking event is an in-person event and is for people living in the UK only.
Following the event Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire will send a feedback form which we would be grateful if you could complete to allow us to monitor the success of our events. This is facilitated by our third party processor Reason Digital Limited.

TMM IRL: Driven by History – Women in Motorsport at Silverstone Museum
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Stephanie Sykes-Dugmore, Head of Collections and Research at Silverstone Museum
Topic: Driven by History – Women in Motorsport at Silverstone Museum
To coincide with International Women’s Day, we’re joined by Steph, Head of Collections and Research at Silverstone Museum.
Discover the untold stories of the women who shaped motorsport history and continue to inspire future generations. This talk explores the heritage preserved at Silverstone Museum, highlighting pioneers who broke barriers and the modern movement driving inclusivity through initiatives like #Girlswill. This talk will look how the power of Driver to Survive and the new female fanbase is changing the demographics and now market is now changing to engage these fans. Join us to explore how history fuels change—and how you can help drive the future.
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
——————–
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
——————–
And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £5 to £50 (the average attendees choose to pay £11.38 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
——————–
See you there!

Future-proof your SEO: AI, content and strategy
2026-03-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Join us for a free event designed for marketers, business owners and content creators who want to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of search engine optimisation.
Discover how AI is transforming SEO strategies, learn how to create content that ranks and explore the tools and techniques that will dominate in 2026 and beyond.

Morning
9.00 – 10.00 – Networking

10.00 – 10.30: Tristan James (EE) – The three pillars of Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and tactics to improve AI visibility

10.30 – 11.00: James Bavington (StrategiQ) – When ads enter the chat: How AI interfaces will rewrite Search Marketing

11.15 – 11.45: Harry Evans (Care Launch) – Most AI SEO content fails. Here’s how we’ve used AI to generate £5m+ in revenue

11.45 – 12.15: Anna Wojciechowska and Elsa Hagman (Cludo) – Conversational search: How dialogue is changing the way users find information

Lunch
12.15 – 1.00: Buffet lunch provided by Barclays Eagle Labs

Afternoon

1.00 – 1.30: David Bevan, Chris Normington, Robyn Fisher and Olabisi Adewale (West Northamptonshire Council) – Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with the content improvement: How we use Cludo to help customers

1.30 – 2.00: Nikki Pilkington (Non Wanky SEO) – SEO, innit? Why the fundamentals beat the jargon every time

2.00 – 2.30: Closing panel discussions and questions

What you will learn

AI in SEO: How artificial intelligence is reshaping keyword research, content optimisation and ranking strategies

Content that converts: Practical tips for creating engaging, high-performing web content

Future trends: What’s next for SEO and how to prepare your business for algorithm changes

Tools and techniques: The best AI-driven platforms to streamline your SEO workflow

Why attend?

Stay ahead of competitors with cutting-edge SEO insights

Network with like-minded professionals and innovators

Gain actionable strategies you can implement immediately

Who should attend?

Marketing professionals

Business owners

Content creators

Anyone looking to boost their online visibility

NN1 DEV #11: "Compiling JavaScript ahead-of-time" by Oliver Medhurst and "Future of Work is Async" by Rob Hough
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Another combination of extremely technical deep dives with soft skills efficiency boosters. Join us if you want to learn how to match the performance of JavaScript code with compiled Rust and to find out why async work is the future of our fast-paced industry.

18:00 – 18:30
Meet and Greet

18:30 – 19:00
“Compiling JavaScript ahead-of-time” by Oliver Medhurst
Existing JavaScript (and TypeScript) is compiled just-in-time, compiled from source on user’s machines, but what about ahead-of-time, compiled in advance like C++ or Rust? This talk will explore the pros and cons of this upcoming paradigm with real-world examples and working demos!

19:00 – 19:15
Break

19:15 – 19:45
“Future of Work is Async” by Rob Hough
The way developers work is changing. Remote work, AI, and automation mean we have more leverage than ever — yet many teams are still trapped in endless meetings, interruptions, and slow-moving projects. This talk explores why smaller, async teams are becoming a competitive advantage, and what it takes to work this way effectively.

Vulcan Sessions: Employment law changes in 2026-2027 with Haus of HR
2026-04-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
April 2026 marks the beginning of one of the biggest shifts in UK employment law in a generation.

Session Overview: Employment Law Changes in 2026-2027:
April 2026 marks the beginning of one of the biggest shifts in UK employment law in a generation, as the Employment Rights Act 2025 starts to take effect. Multiple major reforms land this April, with further changes continuing into late 2026 and 2027. These changes introduce substantial new rights for workers and new obligations and risks for employers.
This session provides a clear, practical overview of:

The April 2026 changes and what employers must action immediately
Key reforms due later in 2026 and into 2027
How these changes affect HR processes, policies, contracts, payroll and manager training
Real‑world implications for SMEs, especially around sickness absence, family leave, whistleblowing, dismissal risk and union activity
A roadmap to ensure employers remain compliant and prepared for the years ahead

Bio:
Rachel Collar is an award‑winning HR leader with over 25 years’ experience delivering global HR strategy – often within complex, highly regulated and unionised environments. As the Founder of Haus of HR, a leading Northamptonshire‑based HR consultancy, she brings deep expertise in employment law, employee relations and workforce change. A Fellow of the CIPD, Rachel specialises in helping organisations navigate legislative reform, strengthen compliance and build robust people frameworks. Rachel is known for translating complex employment law shifts into practical actions that empower employers to stay compliant, confident and prepared.

Business Podcasting 101: Should I start a podcast for my business?
2026-04-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
How YOU can get cut-through in congested markets
Your business is growing, but you’re still not generating the revenue you need.
Business is more competitive than ever. Standing out requires more than just expertise. You have to tell stories that make people care and take action.
So, what’s the answer? How about launching your own podcast?
If you’re considering starting your own business podcast, we can help you.
Business Podcasting 101 workshop 1: Should I start a podcast for my business?
📅 29 April 26
🕘 9:00 – 12:00
📍 Vulcan Works
In this workshop we’ll cover:

The difference between business podcasting and regular podcasting
An overview of the process of producing a podcast
The ways in which podcasting can help your business
Things you must consider in order to make podcasting worthwhile for your business

Book your place

From Ideas to Income: IP Commercialisation and Optimising R&D Tax Credits
2026-05-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
An event focused on pursuing patent protection alongside R&D Tax Credits, brought to you by Lucidity IP, TC Group and Barclays Eagle Labs.

Commonly, patent protection is perceived to lack benefits at the early stages of a product lifecycle. At the same time, there’s a significant lack of awareness about the Patent Box Relief Scheme. The average Patent Box claim is actually larger than the average R&D claim.
At this event, you will understand how to utilise Patent Box and R&D claims effectively.
Session Structure: (90 Minutes)

Welcome & Intros (5 mins)
Part 1: Patent Box and IP commercialisation with Rob Sansby (30 mins)
Part 2: R&D Tax Credits with Felix Medd (30 mins)
Q&A (25 mins)
12:00 – 12:30 Lunch (Provided by the event organisers)

Session Content:
Rob from Lucidity IP will cover:

How the requirements for patent protection tie into R&D claim requirements;
Timings for patent protection in relation to R&D projects;
Shaping patent protection to maximise potential Patent Box benefit.

Felix from TC Group will cover:

At the start; determining eligibility, record keeping practises, cost planning
After financial year; key deadlines such as prenotification period and submission timelines
At the point of IP protection & monetisation – Patent Box Relief starts to apply.

Meet the Speakers:
Rob Sansby – Founder and Director of Lucidity IP, Rob is an experienced patent attorney with over a decade of experience in the complex industry of intellectual property. Rob is experienced in drafting patent applications, enforcement of patent rights, and the licensing of patents. Rob’s experience in the industry working with entrepreneurs gives them the confidence to innovate with a robust IP strategy behind them.
Felix Medd – As Head of R&D Tax Relief at TC Group, Felix is well versed with HMRC legislation and processes. Felix has supported clients from a wide variety of industries including software, manufacturing, defence, metalworking/diecasting, financial services and precision coatings. Felix has guided his clients to many successful claims that have led to confidence and being able to articulate persuasively and effectively with HMRC to achieve positive outcomes.
Parking:
Please note, there is no onsite parking at Vulcan Works. The nearest car parks are St.Johns multistorey or Morrisons supermarket.

TMM IRL: The Human Advantage – How to Build a Business People Actually Feel James Sandbrook, Cofounder at The Marketing Meetup
2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
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Speaker: James Sandbrook, Cofounder at The Marketing Meetup
Topic: The Human Advantage: How to Build a Business People Actually Feel
In this talk, James will show us:
•⁠ ⁠how to create magic moments
•⁠ ⁠⁠how to create experiences that feel generous not transactional
•⁠ ⁠⁠how to create rituals that drive loyalty
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The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
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Partnered with The Keynote Club, a public speaking club for marketers. TKC is a safe and friendly space for marketing folk to come together, connect and exercise our public speaking muscles. Get involved at thekeynoteclub.com
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
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And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £5 to £50 (the average attendees choose to pay £11.38 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂

AI Automation Workshop
2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
How AI Can Save Your Business 10+ Hours a Week

Workshop Overview
A hands-on, practical workshop designed for early-stage and small business owners who want to understand how AI can automate repetitive tasks, save time, and grow their business – without needing any technical background. This is not a lecture about what AI is. Through live demos and real-world case studies, participants will see exactly how AI automation works in practice – and leave with a clear action plan for their own business.
Date Friday 8 May 2026
Location Vulcan Works, Northampton
Duration 1-hour group session (presentation + live demos) + 30-minute individual consultation slots
Audience Vulcan Creatives cohort — early-stage business owners.
Requirements Just turn up — no laptop or setup needed
Facilitator Olushola Oladipupo — Founder, WorkCrew Ltd; Solutions Architect, AWS
What’s Covered: Group Session (60 minutes)
• AI Tools That Actually Matter — A no-jargon tour of the tools that save real businesses real time: ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, and automation platforms. What each one does best, and which one fits your business.
• Live Demo: AI in Action — Watch a real AI system take a customer order via WhatsApp, write it to a spreadsheet, calculate the total, and notify the business owner — all automatically. Built by WorkCrew for a real UK food business.
• Live Demo: From Idea to Automation in Minutes — See how a simple business task (email replies, social media posts, lead follow-ups) gets automated live on screen — start to finish, no coding.
• The 10-Hour Framework — A simple method to audit your week, identify the tasks AI can handle, and prioritise which to automate first. Most business owners find 10+ hours of automatable work they didn’t realise they had.
Individual Consultations (30 minutes each) After the group session, each participant gets a private 30-minute slot with Shola to discuss their specific business challenges and get a personalised AI action plan. This is where the real value lands — tailored advice for your exact situation.
What Participants Walk Away With
• A clear understanding of which AI tools actually matter for their business (and which are hype)
• A personalised AI action plan from the 1:1 consultation
• The 10-Hour Framework worksheet — a reusable template for identifying automatable tasks
• A curated resource list of free and low-cost AI tools relevant to small businesses
• Clarity on which AI tools are worth paying for and which are free
• Confidence to experiment with AI independently after the session
Ideal For
• Business owners who have heard about AI but don’t know where to start
• Founders spending hours on repetitive tasks (emails, social media, admin, customer queries)
• Anyone who has used ChatGPT for blog writing but wants to go further
• Businesses that want to look and operate like a much bigger company — using AI as the multiplier

Intellectual property litigation for start-ups WEBINAR
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Northampton
An introduction to the steps you can take if you find your intellectual property has been infringed.

IP litigation can be a daunting thought but this session will provide an introduction to the steps a business can take if they find their intellectual property has been infringed.
Hosted by Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire and delivered by Franks & Co European Patent & Trademark Attorneys.
This webinar is for people living in the UK only.
Prior to the webinar you will receive an email with webinar link and details. Please add bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk to your contact’s list to avoid our email going into your junk mail.
Following the event Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire will send a feedback form which we would be grateful if you could complete to allow us to monitor the success of our events. This is facilitated by our third party processor Reason Digital Limited.

Cashflow Control: Strengthening Your Business for Sustainable Growth
2026-06-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Join Barclays Eagle Labs and Michael Price Associates for a practical, insight-led session designed for scaling and established businesses.

Cashflow is one of the most powerful, and often misunderstood, levers in a growing business. While many established businesses are generating revenue and even profit, cash can still feel tight. Growth, rising costs, and slower payment cycles are putting increasing pressure on working capital – and without clear visibility and control, even strong businesses can find themselves constrained. Through a real-life case study, we’ll explore how cashflow challenges develop, where control is often lost, and what business owners can do to strengthen their financial position.
Session Schedule:

10:30-11:00 – Arrival, coffee & networking
11:00 – 11:45 – Cashflow Workshop (MPA)
11:45-12:30 – Lunch (Provided by event organisers)

What we’ll cover:

Understanding cashflow in a scaling business
Why growth increases pressure on cash — and how to stay in control.
A real business scenario
Step through a case study to see how cashflow challenges build over time and how they can be identified earlier.
Revenue, profit and cash — the critical differences
Make better decisions by understanding what your numbers are really telling you.
Where cash gets tied up
From invoicing and payment terms to stock, staffing and overheads.
Strengthening your financial position
Practical ways to improve working capital and create more stability.
Building confidence in your numbers
How to use cashflow insight to support better planning and decision-making.

Why attend:

Gain greater control and visibility over your cashflow.
Understand how to support sustainable, confident growth.
Learn from real-world scenarios, not just theory.
Walk away with practical actions you can apply immediately.
Connect with other local business owners.

Bonus:
All attendees will have the opportunity to book a free 30-minute 1-2-1 session with an MPA expert to discuss their business and next steps.
Meet the speaker:
Samantha Wildman (Director – MPA) Samantha is a highly experienced business adviser and Group Client Director at MPA, where she also sits on the Board. She works closely with established and scaling businesses to help them strengthen financial control, improve visibility, and support sustainable growth. With over a decade of experience advising senior leaders across a range of sectors, Samantha brings a practical, commercially focused perspective to the challenges business owners face, particularly around cashflow, funding, and managing growth without unnecessary risk. Known for her clear, results-driven approach, Samantha helps business owners move beyond reactive decision-making, giving them the confidence and control needed to plan ahead and scale effectively.

#12: "Resilient Payment Systems: How bank transfers actually work (most of the time)" by Jacek Miloszewski and "There's No Such Thing As Plain Text" by Dylan Beattie
2026-06-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Schedule #

18:00 – 18:30
Meet and Greet

18:30 – 19:00
“Resilient Payment Systems: How bank transfers actually work (most of the time)” by Jacek Miloszewski
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you send money? In this talk, I’ll take you under the hood of how Form3 helps banks handle inter-bank transfers at scale. We’ll dive into the high-stakes world of security, compliance, and volume, and how we’ve built the architecture (and the teams) to handle it all. I’ll cover the practical side of running a mission-critical system, including: scaling teams, regulatory hurdles and hardened security.

19:00 – 19:15
Break

19:15 – 19:45
“There’s No Such Thing As Plain Text” by Dylan Beattie
When we say something is a plain text file, we’re relying on a huge number of assumptions – about operating systems, editors, file formats, language, culture, history… and, most of the time, that’s OK. But when it goes wrong, good old plain text can lead to some of the weirdest bugs you’ve ever seen. Join Dylan Beattie for a fascinating look into the hidden world of text files – from the history of mechanical teletypes, to how emoji skin tones actually work.

Accessibility #
Our venue is wheelchair accessible, and we provide on-site assistance for anyone requiring additional support during the meetup. While we currently do not offer live captioning for talks, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome all participants. Please contact the organisers with any specific accessibility requirements.

Food and drinks #
Learning new things and socialising with others is a lot easier when you are properly energised. Pizza, some sweets and beverages are on us. There is something for everyone: pepperoni pizza, vegan ones, fizzy drinks, water and a selection of beers. You are welcome!
