Published: June 17, 2020 | Updated: 17th June 2020
New online networking group launches in Dorset
Dorset-based businessman, Mike Boss, of asset financing firm The Boss Corporation, has taken up the role of Group Leader for 4Networking Dorset online.
4Networking Dorset is part of a UK-wide business network which pivoted in lockdown from having 5,000 face-to-face networking meetings per year, to running almost 100 meetings a week online.
It ‘meets’ fortnightly on Thursdays from 2pm until 3.30pm.
The next meeting tomorrow, Thursday June 18, is a visitors’ week, so people can book on and bring a friend for free.
Every meeting has a guest speaker, attendee introductions and three 1-2-1 meetings to connect businesses.
Mike said The Boss Corporation had the ethos of supporting businesses when they are being turned down by traditional funding routes and embraces the same approach offered by 4Networking Dorset.
He added: “Knowing how to survive lockdown, restructure your business and come out thriving, is in the hands of every business owner.
“I loved the way 4Networking adapted rapidly and is at the heart of what I do.
“It felt natural to step into this role and help businesses – not just Dorset businesses, but UK-wide businesses, because of course, being online, visitors come from far and wide.
“I’ve ‘met’ more people networking this way than ever before.”
For more information, please click here.
Anyone who is not currently a 4N member and would like to come along tomorrow, June 18, for free should email [email protected]
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BFI’s emergency fund award has ‘really lifted our spirits’
An emergency grant from the British Film Institute (BFI) has ‘really lifted our spirits as an organisation’ according to Elspeth McBain, Chief Executive of Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts.
The £5,000 award is part of the BFI’s allocation of £1.45m emergency funding to independent exhibitors across the UK through the Covid-19 Resilience Fund managed by BFI Film Audience Network (FAN).
The collaboration of eight film hubs is targeting the fund to help small and medium sized organisations.
Elspeth, pictured left, said: “We are so thankful that the British Film Institute has supported Lighthouse through the BFI Film Audience Network Covid-19 Resilience Fund.
“This emergency funding to independent film exhibitors across the UK will enable us to re-engage with our audience when we get back to opening our wonderful cinema.
“Since our closure in March Lighthouse has lost all its income so this support has not only given us some much needed cash, but it has really lifted our spirits as an organisation.
“We are proud to be connected to the UK independent cinema sector that provides such a unique offer to our communities.”
The BFI FAN Covid-19 Resilience Fund is made up of £1.3m National Lottery funding plus a £150,000 contribution from the Mayor of London’s Culture at Risk Business Support Fund.
A survey by the Independent Cinema Office – Reopening Cinemas the Independent Way – to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the independent exhibition industry found only 59 per cent of respondents considered they could reopen with social measures in place with 63 per cent stating they could survive for only three months.
Almost half of the 59 per cent believe they will be unable to open until September at the earliest.
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New strategic partnership for email cloud security provider
A European email cloud security provider, which has its UK base in Poole, is set to expand its presence in the UK and Ireland through a strategic partnership.
Hornetsecurity’s new partnership with cybersecurity distributor Brigantia will give it access to Brigantia’s network of resellers and support its plans to become the UK market leader within 12 months.
Hornetsecurity, which is based in Hanover and is one of Germany’s fastest growing tech firms, acquired Poole-based email security provider Everycloud in January.
Hornetsecurity’s product covers all the key areas of email security, including spam and virus filters, legally compliant archiving and encryption and includes best in class technologies.
It offers advanced threat protection for users of Microsoft 365 as well as other email systems.
Daniel Blank, Hornetsecurity’s Chief Operating Officer, pictured left, said the company had chosen Brigantia due to its expertise and quality standards.
He added: “We see great potential for our innovative cloud security services in the UK and are really excited about our new partnership with Brigantia, whose large reseller network will allow us to extend our footprint and partner base.
“I am sure that this collaboration will lead to high levels of customer satisfaction and we are committed to continuously expanding our already large UK team to ensure we provide the best possible service.
“Our goal is to become the leading cloud security vendor for managed service providers in the UK market within one year.”