MORTGAGE DIRECTOR BECOMES CHAIRMAN OF SWINDON-BASED BUSINESS REFERRAL GROUP

Local businessman Chris Blackwell has been named as the new chairman of BusinessWise, the Swindon-based independent, not for profit business referral group.

Chris, the director of independent mortgage advisers TED Mortgages, was elected by BusinessWise members as chair for the year ahead. He joined TED Mortgages in 2019 where he works alongside the company’s founder, Tom Brennan.

“I’m honoured fellow BusinessWise members have voted me in as chair for the next year. We are a group that survived lockdowns, operating virtually, we kept on supporting each other. This shows just how strong we are as a group of ambitious and ethical business owners.”

BusinessWise has ambitious plans. Last year, referrals worth over £500,000 were passed between its members, and this year the plan is to expand both in numbers and reach. During the first quarter of 2022, more than £152,500 has been passed between members. 

“My aim during this year is to work with members to grow membership to a maximum of 35 and to keep on being an important part of the Swindon and Wiltshire SME community.” 

BusinessWise has been running for over 10 years. Its members meet fortnightly on a Friday from 7 am to 8.30 am at Basset Down Complex, near junction 16 of the M4 in Swindon. Each meeting runs to a formal agenda which includes: breakout meetings, guest speakers, and referral rounds. 

Membership is £250 in the first year and then £150 on renewal with a monthly subscription fee of £35 to cover breakfast, marketing and running costs. The group is not for profit and money is reinvested for the benefit of members. Visitors can attend free of charge for their first visit. 

BusinessWise is currently looking to welcome a solicitor; a beautician; a dentist; an SEO specialist; a freelance sales executive; an events company; an IT support company; a health & safety specialist; a carpenter; a flooring fitter; a removals company; and a printing business. 

Chris heads a management committee that also includes Mark Fletcher of Aspray Swindon, Dawn Pursall of OrangeStripe Outsourcing and Fiona Scott of Scott Media. To find out more about BusinessWise visit https://businesswise.org.uk