Sustainability Breakfast April 2025

📅 Wednesday April 30th ⏰ 08:00 – 10:00 AM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park, Sandwich

Join us for a wrap-up on sustainability month at the Barclays Eagle Lab in Discovery Park.

The event will be an opportunity to network with likeminded businesses in the area and discuss the sustainability related issues facing the world. We’ll also hear from a range of speakers about what they’re doing in their particular industries, and what sustainable practices you can take away to address your own goals.

A light breakfast will be provided from 8:30am, featuring locally sourced food and drink.

Speaker Profiles:

Martin White: Four years ago under lockdown, and as part of his personal journey towards greater self-awareness of the environment and climate change, Martin founded his own sustainability consultancy Green Business Hub. Martin now advises a diverse range of private and public sector clients on their ESG strategy, encouraging them to think more holistically about sustainability rather than solely focusing on climate action and ‘Net Zero’ – because they have to – to include alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and increasingly ‘Social Value Add’ frameworks.

Andrew Pledger: Andrew is the Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs in Discovery Park. The Eagle Labs mission is to connect the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a network of business incubators, expertise and support. With access to over 325 years of business expertise and connections, Eagle Labs are a community resource available for everybody. Whether you’re an inventor, an innovator or a mentor, Eagle Labs spaces are conducive to nurturing and growing your idea with support from Barclays and the Eagle Labs network.

More speakers to be announced shortly.

Register online

Thriving Through Menopause: A Workplace Guide

📅 Thursday April 24th ⏰ 12:30 – 1:30 PM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park, Sandwich

Menopause affects energy, focus, and confidence—but small changes can make a huge difference.

Many women hit their 40s and 50s and suddenly find themselves struggling at work in ways they never have before. Poor sleep, brain fog, and anxiety creep in. Energy and motivation drop. And in a workplace that doesn’t acknowledge menopause, it’s easy to feel like you’re just not keeping up.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This session is all about giving you practical tools to feel more in control—whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself or want to better support the women you work with.

What You’ll Get:

✔ A better understanding of what’s happening in your body and why it’s affecting work (it’s not just in your head, and you’re not imagining it!).

✔ Small, simple changes that can have an instant impact on focus, energy, and confidence.

✔ How businesses can create a more menopause-friendly workplace—without big policies or awkward conversations.

✔ A chance to ask questions and hear from others in the same boat.

The more you know about what’s happening, the easier it is to adapt and feel like yourself again.

Whether you’re an employee, a manager, or a business owner, this session will help you make menopause less of a struggle and more of a smooth transition—at work and in life.

Come along and leave with real, practical steps to start feeling better.

Book your spot now

Life Sciences Meet Ups

Wednesday, March 12
10 – 11am GMT
Barclays Eagle Lab Virtual Events

 

What to expect

In our series of virtual life science meet ups, we bring like-minded entrepreneurs together to connect and engage in discussion. At each event, we’re joined by an expert from the industry who shares their story, successes and tips for businesses in the sector. They also spend time focusing on a specific topic to help you learn about the support needed and available in these areas.

If you’re looking to make connections, there’s time at the end of each session for you to network with the guest speakers and other founders.

Don’t forget to register and we look forward to seeing you at the virtual meet up.

 

About this event

For our March meet up, we’re joined by Helen Crampin, Chief Marketing Officer at National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA).

Before joining NICA, Helen served as a key figure at UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Healthy Ageing Challenge. There, she spearheaded the Healthy Ageing Challenge Investor Partnerships programme and delivered initiatives to support SMEs operating within the ageing sector.

She has a range of experience in business development, specifically building commercial partnerships, with a solid understanding of grant funding and commercial and local government investment strategies.

Having worked for 20 years across diverse industries including healthcare, wellness, academia, life sciences, and medical device start-ups, Helen has a deep understanding of the commercialisation journey for emerging healthcare technologies. This has given her valuable insight into the challenges that businesses face in this sector, as well as a keen awareness of the technologies shaping the future.

During this session, Helen will be discussing:

  • How co-creation can help bridge the gap between the founders’ vision and real-world user expectations, giving competitive advantages
  • How user design embedded into a product journey brings deeper customer insights and unique innovations, leading to improved product market fit

  • How real-time, early feedback helps identify issues before resources are invested

  • How building a community around the business with real people creates a sense of shared ownership and loyalty.

Register here

Balancing – Supporting Entrepreneurial Parents & Carers

Wednesday, May 21
12:30 – 13:30
Barclays Eagle Lab, The Gateway Building, Discovery Park Innovation Way Sandwich CT13 9FF

 

Balancing Entrepreneurship and Caring for children and loved ones with Additional Needs can add extra pressure.

We aim to create a supportive community of founders who are facing additional challenges. We understand that as challenging and lonely being a founder can be, it can be magnified for those that have carer responsibilities too.

 

This event is a designed to be a safe space for those with extra care responsibilities to connect, share experiences, and discover resources designed to empower you both personally and professionally.

It’s also an opportunity to simply meet other founders with similar challenges.

 

What to Expect in our coming events:

  •  Networking Opportunities – Connect with like-minded carers and founders who understand the unique challenges of balancing business ambitions with caring responsibilities.
  •  Guest Speakers & Panel Discussions – Hear from founders, caregivers, and experts about strategies for resilience, work-life integration, and accessing support systems.
  •  Resource Sharing – Learn about funding, tech solutions, and community resources that can help you navigate entrepreneurship while providing care for your child.

We recognise the demands of entrepreneurship alongside the commitment to children and vulnerable people with additional needs.

This event offers a opportunity to explore practical solutions, build community, and feel supported in both roles.

This initial event offers an opportunity for you to shape the future events we plan to host in Southampton, Kent and virtually.

 

Who Should Attend?

Founders who also care for those with extended needs. There are no restrictions to the type of care or reasons for caring.

Our only ask is that anyone who joins is respectful of others in the group and the challenges they may face or support they may ask for.

We very much look forward to welcoming you.

 

Make sure to reserve your spot here.

 

Please note: To confirm your registration and reserve your place, a follow up email will be sent from Eventbrite to complete the registration Process. Your ticket will only be available once you have completed this stage.

Lean in Circle

About Lean In Circles

Lean In Circles are small groups of women who meet regularly to share experiences and support each other’s goals. They are part of LeanIn.org, a nonprofit organisation founded by Sheryl Sandberg, with a mission to empower women globally to achieve their full potential.

 

Why Join a Lean In Circle?

Mentorship and Support: Gain access to a supportive network of peers who understand the unique challenges women face in the workplace.

Skills Development: Build new skills and boost your leadership capabilities through active participation and sharing.

Community Building: Foster connections with women from diverse backgrounds and roles, creating a supportive community within Discovery Park.

 

Event Details

Join us to learn more about Lean In Circles and how you can benefit from being part of this empowering initiative:

Date: Thursday 13th June 2024

Time: 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm

Location: Board Room 2, Barclays Eagle Lab, The Gateway Building

Don’t forget to bring your lunch!

 

What You’ll Learn

Introduction to Lean In Circles: Understand the purpose and structure of Lean In Circles.

Personal and Professional Growth: Discover how participating in a Circle can help you achieve your goals.

Leadership Opportunities: Learn how you can enhance your leadership skills by leading a Lean In Circle.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative community aimed at supporting and uplifting women at Discovery Park. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information please contact Samantha at samanthaterry720@gmail.com.

 

Register here

Health Elevate

Join Barclays Eagle Labs at Health Elevate on Wednesday 3 July, 2024 at their headquarters in Canary Wharf, London.

Their specialist Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences team support the businesses and innovators working on new and emerging technologies helping to solve societies biggest healthcare challenges.

Barclays Health Elevate event brings together industry experts, innovators, health and social care providers, academics and health professionals from across the industry to showcase transformation through collaboration, innovation and technology.

There is also the opportunity for Discovery Park companies to exhibit at the event for free! Please contact andrew.pledger@barclays.com for more details.

Find out more and register here

 

Sustainability Breakfast

Join us for our final sustainability breakfast before the summer break at the Barclays Eagle Lab in Discovery Park

The event will be an opportunity to network with likeminded businesses in the area and discuss the sustainability related issues facing the world. We’ll also hear from a range of speakers about what they’re doing in their particular industries, and what sustainable practices you can take away to address your own goals.

 

A light breakfast will be provided from 8:30am, featuring locally sourced food and drink.

 

Speaker Profiles:

 

Martin White: Four years ago under lockdown, and as part of his personal journey towards greater self-awareness of the environment and climate change, Martin founded his own sustainability consultancy Green Business Hub. Martin now advises a diverse range of private and public sector clients on their ESG strategy, encouraging them to think more holistically about sustainability rather than solely focusing on climate action and ‘Net Zero’ – because they have to – to include alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and increasingly ‘Social Value Add’ frameworks.

 

Andrew Pledger: Andrew is the Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs in Discovery Park. The Eagle Labs mission is to connect the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a network of business incubators, expertise and support. With access to over 325 years of business expertise and connections, Eagle Labs are a community resource available for everybody. Whether you’re an inventor, an innovator or a mentor, Eagle Labs spaces are conducive to nurturing and growing your idea with support from Barclays and the Eagle Labs network.

 

Everyday Plastic: Everyday Plastic is a research-led social enterprise, based in Margate. We are dedicated to delivering accessible learning and campaigns to tackle the effects of plastic waste on our society. Our aim is to help people understand the plastic waste problem in a relatable way, connect with what they throw away, and feel empowered to take practical steps toward a society with less plastic. We believe that no matter your background, age, or knowledge, you can feel empowered to make a difference. We support everyday people, communities, and change-makers in government and business by sharing credible insights, spreading knowledge, pushing for better regulation, and inspiring behavior change.

 

Q&A Discussion Panel: A discussion panel/Q&A will follow the presentations hosted by Martin White from Green Business Hub.

UK Electric Bike Centre will be on site to offer trials of their e-bikes, as well as the Discovery Park team giving tours of the new on-site community garden.

 

Find out more and register

Achieving product market fit

As a versatile tech leader with experience as a founder and operator in some of the world’s fastest growing tech companies, Andy Robinson, Accelerate Cambridge and Barclays Eagle Labs mentor, will discuss how to ensure your product satisfies a strong market demand. He’ll look at how to design your journey towards achieving this important fit.

Register here

ClimateTech: Telling your climate tech business story

Explore practical ways to showcase your business and successfully create emotional connections with your target audience. Expect to come out of this session energised with plenty of ideas about how to communicate the core messages at the heart of your business. Our guest speaker will take you through practical examples of storytelling and how to engage your audience.

Register here