Chairman’s blog Thursday 16th October 2025

Ben Golding talked to us about his career with Utility Warehouse, and Jane Malyon explained the importance of the members performance league
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We even start our meetings in the dark now and this week’s members totalled 18. There is a new podcast out featuring Sarah Smith in deep conversation with podcast Paul. Don’t miss it.

It was a Greggs day today and once again Paul Booth did the necessary, thanks for your efforts!

Performance League

Two weeks in and Sally Waters and podcast Paul are in joint second with Terry Maylin out front on 147 points.

Education Slot

Jane Malyon, in her guise as membership committee chair, gave us an overview of it’s workings. Remember that as a committee( Jane, Terry, Leann, Blake, and Clara) it is there to offer support to members, be a link with the board and provide the vital role over assessing membership applications and renewals.

She emphasised the importance of the performance league as a tool for the management of the group. From collecting referrals and recording monies earned we use the website not only to record attendance at meetings but also1-2-1s and other interactions between members. The recording of money earned is particularly important as we need to be able to value any seats around the meeting table and it is a great advertising tool as we try and attract new members. Thanks to Jane for her overview end clarification.

Membership Matters

Good news, Dave Roberts has renewed. Bad news James Humphries indicated that business pressures made it unrealistic for him to renew his membership this year. We will miss his cheery presence his humour in the 60 second round and a determination to wear shorts wherever possible. On the principle of ‘the king is dead…..’ a valuable seat has opened up which it is important to fill. For those of you who deal with or come across insurance brokers, keep weather eye open for prospects and get them along to the meeting.

60-Second Presentation Round

Sally Waters as the holder of the Oscar went first. She is particularly interested in offering corporate gifts to corporate clients. Paul Corrigan also emphasised his ability to install commercial boilers to commercial clients as well as his usual domestic offerings. As if by magic Matt Barry followed Paul and declared that today was National Turn Your Heating On Day and he then went on to produce a highly entertaining link to how turning on your boiler can provide benefits for almost every member in the group. Well thought out and deserving of the Oscar and he got it! Sorry to take the excitement out of this 60 second round report with a spoiler.

Mike Skinner adopted a slightly different approach this time, use of his video skills to produce something that can be used for training and other purposes and save repetition and maintain accuracy.

Ben Golding as always was flaunting Utility Warehouse’s ability to save its members money. Clara Downton followed him with the explanation that she can also save money by getting mortgages for her clients at a competitive rate rather than the rates they can get by doing it themselves!

It wasn’t just Sally and Paul who were pointing out different areas that they operate in, Jane Malyon often appears at events as a speaker, and she reminded off of this string to her bow. Also reminding us of extra strings to bows was Sarah Smith. She offered her abilities in project management and planning there’s something for us to bear in mind when we think referrals.

Prop of the week, Paul Booth with a carrier bag. This is how a lot of his clients bring their’ stuff’ to him. He rounded off a very lively round without my having to tell you who won the Oscar……. Because I’ve done it already!

10-Minute Presentation by Ben Golding

It was Ben Golding’s turn, entertaining as always, he gave us an insight into his earlier career in the entertainment business and how he finally and gradually moved into his role as a group leader with Utility Warehouse. His presentation included the use of the television listing all of his products and he also managed a video from one of his team. Thoroughly professional; thoroughly effective.

Despite our reduced numbers it seemed like there were more of us there because of the energy and the enthusiasm generated by a brilliant meeting.

 

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Terry
Terry
1 month ago

Well done Jane on a pertinent Ed slot reminding the members what the committee can do for them
Great presentation Ben even though not at full power 👍

Catherine Foley
Catherine Foley
1 month ago

Great meeting. Always easy to listen to both Jane and Ben – no wonder they are both public speakers!

Leann Reason
Leann Reason
1 month ago

A great meeting. We may have been down on numbers today but we were certainly not down in energy!
A great Ed slot from Jane on the importance of points but also how the membership committee can help members get more out of their membership.
Last but not least, a great 10 mins from our UW hero Ben. Only Ben can make utilities fun! I’d love to see his wine bill!

Toby Acton
Toby Acton
1 month ago

Well the first half of the meeting was fantastic! Sorry that I missed the 2nd half – but to be fair I have seen Ben’s presentation already this week!

See y’all soon

John Hammond
John Hammond
1 month ago

Looks like I missed a great meeting. Sorry I couldn’t be there.

Paul Dulieu
Paul Dulieu
26 days ago

Slightly late to the party on this blog, but it was a great meeting!

Other Recent Blog Posts

John Hammond showed us why so many big clients put their security into his hands and Paul Booth spoke to us about inviting visitors.
Sally Waters demonstrated her candle and fragrance business by way of a scents quiz, and Toby Acton educated us about sending the right (or wrong) signals.
Jane (and Roger) Malyon presented on their business and passed around brownies and sandwiches to the delight of members. Aidan Squire discussed new member recruitment.
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