Pendle Connects provides a platform for networking, sharing of information and business generation. Events are free to attend and open to all Pendle based businesses as well as those doing business in Pendle. All sectors, private, public and voluntary are welcomed.

Our next Pendle Connects event will take place on Weds 4 June 2025. We are kindly being hosted by The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection at Northlight in Brierfield. Speakers will include Pendle Business Awards 2024 winner Mike Quintana of DHCS, further speakers being confirmed. Following a networking session with complementary refreshments, we will have a borough update from Pendle Borough Council. Our speakers will then share their recent business journeys and challenges with the audience and take questions as a panel at the end.

Tickets are FREE for Pendle Connects events, booking is via the Eventbrite button below.

NB! Limited places are available, please only book if you know you will be able to attend. 

 Pendle Connects was proud to run the first Pendle Education Summit in July 2021. Now rebranded to the Pendle Employer Skills Summit it returned on Friday 17 May 2024 at Pendle Community High School.

A guest panel from Pendle companies shared the myriad roles they have within them, the difficulties they have recruiting people with the right skills, the work they do with schools now, the benefits this brings for them and why more businesses need to engage with their future workforce to ensure a future skills pipeline.

A guest panel from skills and education shared different aspects of the need and mechanisms for education and employer engagement on a local and regional level. Also the vast benefits that employer engagement gives to pupils both for developing future careers and interpersonal skills.

We also discussed regional and national support schemes and the unique opportunities that living, studying and working in Pendle can bring. A buffet lunch was created and served by the students from 12pm. Many thanks to Debra, Jo and the PCHSC team for hosting us.

Watch this space for the 2025 summit date.

Joining the Lancashire Skills Pledge allows any business to pledge their time to support a local school, commitment starts at just one hour. If you’d like to take on the role of Enterprise Advisor and support local schools on an ongoing basis please do click the link below to find out more about this crucial role, and how you can make a real difference. Start Lancashire is a great place for employers to advertise opportunities, apprenticeships and for students to find them.

The events were made possible by the Lancashire Careers Hub which is managed by Inspira and the Careers and Enterprise Company.

We would like to thank the following organisations for their support of Pendle Connects. Lifetime Supporter packages cost just £95 and help to support our monthly newsletters. For more details or to sign up your business please contact us via the form below.

Quarterly breakfast events combine business networking with business speakers, who will share their business journeys and challenges with the room, then take questions as a panel. As well as the chance to learn from and network with these speakers and other local businesses, a business update for the borough will be given by Pendle Borough Council.

We will also have updates from Boost Lancashire on the support available and from Inspira regarding supporting local schools.

Events are hosted by Rachel Kay, Pendle Connects organiser and Director of lovelocalnetworking. Please contact Rachel via the Contact Form below with any queries.