Staffordshire cycle networking event venture off-road for winter

A new networking event for like minded individuals featuring off road cycling in Cannock Chase will commence next week.

The event is organised by UKSE after its West Midlands area manager Steve Grice and regional executive Mike Lowe set up Staffordshire Networking On Two Wheels, a monthly road cycle around Staffordshire.

The team will be changing the format to an off-road cycle in Cannock Chase for the winter months, with the first mountain biking event taking place on Tuesday 14 November.

UKSE’s Networking On Two Wheels meetings incorporate fresh air, fitness and the opportunity to build a network of like-minded contacts.

The rides are organised by Steve Grice and Mike Lowe as part of their drive to draw upon their wealth of experience in the financial services sector to engage with a wide network of companies.

Rides will continue to take place on the second Tuesday of each month, with riders meeting at the Marquis Drive Visitor Centre at Cannock Chase.

Steve Grice said: “We always look forward to bringing together colleagues from West Midlands businesses at our cycling events, which are a great way to get active while networking.

“UKSE has been set up to encourage economic growth while making a positive impact on wellbeing, so networking while cycling contributes to our goals.”

Mike Lowe added: “We thought that cycling around Cannock Chase might appeal to more people in the winter months than cycling on the roads. We will cycle for about an hour with a coffee and cake stop halfway at Birches Valley café.

“New faces are always welcome, so please spread the word about our networking events and get involved.”

Providing strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1m to generate growth, create local job opportunities and bolster the economy, UKSE’s local team was recently set up to support SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

UKSE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel UK Limited with a mission to enable and encourage businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper, within communities affected by current or historic changes in the steel industry and its jobs.

UKSE supports the local economy by making equity investments, ensuring management stays in control of the business and offers a flexible exit policy. Unsecured loans up to £200,000 are also available, often without the need for personal guarantees.

UKSE provides investment in a range of scenarios including business acquisitions, management buy-outs, company expansions or the purchase of new equipment. Since it was established in 1975, UKSE has invested over £110m, supporting 7,650 businesses, stimulating the creation of an estimated 81,000 new jobs.

Click here to sign up to the November cycle networking event.

Pictured from left to right: UKSE regional executive Mike Lowe and area manager Steve Grice