Rathbones Inspire

Empowering UK entrepreneurs and founders as they build and scale their businesses

Apply to join Inspire
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A community for business visionaries

Rathbones Inspire has been created to give business leaders and their senior teams the opportunity to engage with talented peers, gain invaluable insights, access subject matter experts, and build new connections to further strengthen their businesses. 

Our Inspire community members gain access to exclusive content, regular networking opportunities and deep expertise that could help you and your team manage the key growth challenges around capital, clients, and people.

There is no charge, or an obligation to release equity. All we ask of you is your time and a desire to take an active part in the programme.

About the programme

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The programme

Learn about the access to content, experts and networks that the programme offers.
The programme
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Who can join?

Inspire is available to founders, business owners and their leadership team - discover our membership criteria.
Who can join?
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Inspiring insights

The latest news and views from Rathbones for entrepreneurs.
Inspiring insights

What our community thinks about Inspire

"I always come away from Rathbones events with an insight, golden nugget or valuable connection"
 
Feedback received 2026

‘It’s a wonderful series and I loved being a participant! Superb insights and networking"
 
Feedback received 2025

‘’I feel fortunate to be part of the community that you are building!’’ 
 
Feedback received 2025

"I learned a lot not only from the presentations, but also from the other guests"
 
Feedback received 2025

A taste of Inspire events

Our community has exclusive access to a regular calendar of events. 

An audience of female founders listen to speakers at the Rathbones Inspire event in January 2026

Female Founders breakfast

Date: January 2026
Location: Gresham Street, London

Female Founders breakfast

Date: January 2026
Location: Gresham Street, London

We were delighted to host our annual Female Founders Breakfast, bringing together an inspiring group of founders and a panel of female investors. Hosted by Camilla Stowell, Chief Executive Officer, Wealth, Rathbones and chaired by Paola Cuneo, lead, entrepreneurial engagement, Rathbones. The panel, Q&A and networking offered opportunities for attendees to gain first-hand insights on how to raise investment funds and scale their business, to help accelerate growth and ensure success. 

The discussion focused on the reality that successful fundraising depends less on persuasion and more on disciplined investor selection and preparation. The speakers emphasised that founders must first determine whether an investor is actively deploying capital, as many investors express interest without having funds available. The panel repeatedly highlighted the importance of relationship management and reputation. Investors often share information informally, and founder behaviour during fundraising is remembered. Founders who demonstrate professionalism, openness to feedback, and consistent progress were viewed as more credible and investable over time. 

Our panellists Marilena Ioannidou, British Business Bank; Maria Santos-Adeyeye, Gresham House and Daniela Duca, Samos Investments shared honest, practical advice on:

  • How founders can approach venture capital with confidence
  • What investors are really looking for when assessing opportunities
  • How to position a business story clearly and authentically
  • Common pitfalls to avoid when seeking funding
  • How founders can build long-term values-aligned investor relationships

The panel agreed that founders should conduct their own diligence on investors by researching their theses, recent investments, and typical stages, and by identifying funds that have demonstrably invested in similar companies. Warm introductions from other founders, particularly those who are not direct competitors, were described as one of the most effective ways to access serious investors, as these referrals often lead to higher-quality conversations and investments.

The event hosted by Paola Cuneo, Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement at Rathbones, catered to founders and business owners at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. 

An audience of female founders listen to speakers at the Rathbones Inspire event in January 2026
The audience listen to speakers at the Rathbones Inspire 'Journey of a founder' event in November 2025

Journey of a Founder with Steven Hewitt, Former CEO of Gymshark

Date: November 2025
Location: Gresham Street, London

Journey of a Founder with Steven Hewitt, Former CEO of Gymshark

Date: November 2025
Location: Gresham Street, London

We were delighted to welcome Steven Hewitt, Former CEO of Gymshark for a fireside chat. Steve shared his fascinating journey from joining a start-up in Birmingham to leading one of the UK’s fastest growing global fitness brands. He discussed the importance of leadership, culture, and purpose in building a global business.

Key takeaways:

  • People and culture first. Gymshark's rapid growth was based on a value-driven culture built on trust and empowerment.
  • Great leaders must balance humility with decisiveness and showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
  • Steve stressed the importance of shifting from a product company to being a community and purpose-led brand.

The event hosted by Paola Cuneo, Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement at Rathbones, catered to founders and business owners at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. 
 

The audience listen to speakers at the Rathbones Inspire 'Journey of a founder' event in November 2025
Sustainability seminar

Sustainability Seminar

Location: Finsbury Circus, London

Sustainability Seminar

Location: Finsbury Circus, London

We heard from a panel of experts: Richard Burrett, chief sustainability officer, Earth Capital, Lise Honsinger, chief revenue officer, Notpla and Laurence Kemball-Cook, CEO and founder, Pavegen. We discussed a wide range of topics, from net zero, clean tech and sustainable value chain. We also heard from Nicola Day, deputy CEO at Greenbank on her takeaways from attending COP28.

Sustainability seminar
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Keen to join?

Apply to join Rathbones Inspire

Meet our team dedicated to entrepreneurs

Paola Cuneo

Paola Cuneo

Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Client Development Director - North

Matthew Carr

Matthew Carr

Client Development Director - South

Ramsay Wilson

Ramsay Wilson

Investment Manager

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