Theo Paphitis joins forces with NatWest to host a roundtable event in London to discuss the big issues small businesses face

Theo Paphitis, creator of one of the UK’s leading small business initiatives, #SBS Small Business Sunday and Chairman/Owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue has teamed up with long-standing partner NatWest to host a roundtable event in London on Thursday, 29th June 2023.

This unique opportunity, which will be hosted by Coutts - part of the NatWest Group - at its headquarters in London, will give six small business #SBS award winners the chance to have lunch with leading entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, key members of his team and NatWest, to discuss some of the pressing issues facing small businesses, with the aim to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face and to develop strategies to overcome them.  A report will be created from the content and issues shared on the day, to help inform.

Theo Paphitis, #SBS creator, well-known retail entrepreneur and TV Dragon said: "This event is a fantastic opportunity for #SBS small business owners to come together and get under the bonnet of small business, sharing their experiences so that they can learn from each other and navigate the choppy waters we are currently facing. Small businesses are the lifeline of the UK economy and that’s why it’s so important to give them a voice and I’m delighted that #SBS is increasingly the platform for them to do that. We look forward to sharing the report later this year.”

Debbie Lewis, Regional EcoSystems Manager, at NatWest, said: "I am extremely proud that we are able to continue our partnership with #SBS by hosting the national roundtable event at the Coutts headquarters in London, which will see like-minded entrepreneurs come together for an unmatchable experience with Theo Paphitis.

"This collaboration truly exemplifies our unwavering commitment to support businesses, providing them with invaluable opportunities for growth and we look forward to working with #SBS Small Business Sunday to continue to champion the entrepreneurial journey, supporting aspiring individuals as they transform their visions into reality."

The #SBS State of the Nation report will be created off the back of the working lunch session to share findings, expert advice and trends that small businesses and small business stakeholders are finding in the current economic climate. The report will provide insights into the discussions and key takeaways from the event and will impart small business owners with practical insights and recommendations that they can incorporate to improve their business operations and navigate the challenges of the current business environment.

The roundtable event is open exclusively to 3,750 small business owners who have won the #SBS Small Business Sunday award.