Step8Up at SBF Autumn Budget Review – Insights, Connections & a Standout Venue at JLR Sunbury

This week, Step8Up had the privilege of attending the Spelthorne Business Forum Budget Review, with our Founder Jeev Sahoo and Business Development Executive Jack Adcock representing the team. Held at the impressive Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Sunbury facility, the event provided the perfect blend of professional focus, economic insight, and community connection.

 A Remarkable Host & Venue

A huge thank-you goes to Simon Pilgrim for hosting the event at JLR Sunbury. The venue set a high standard — clean, business-focused, and surrounded by stunning vehicles that created an energising backdrop for a morning of strategic discussions.

The environment truly elevated the experience, reminding us of the power of innovation, design, and forward thinking — themes that carried directly into the budget conversations that followed.

A Deep Dive Into the Autumn Budget

The speaker lineup delivered a strong and diverse breakdown of the new budget, each offering a critical perspective for businesses and communities alike:

 Jemima Jones – Azets Accounting

Jemima opened with a comprehensive analysis of the tax implications within the new budget. Her clarity and detail made even the most complex elements digestible, giving businesses actionable points to take away and prepare for.

 Lincoln Jopp MC MP – MP for Spelthorne

Lincoln followed with a national-level view, outlining what the budget means for the wider UK landscape. His insight into how policy shifts will affect industries, communities, and future planning was both timely and invaluable.

Tracey Carter – Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

Closing the panel, Tracey delivered an SME-focused angle that resonated strongly with Step8Up’s mission. She highlighted the challenges and opportunities small businesses will face under the updated budget — and how preparation will be key in navigating the changes ahead.

 Connections That Matter

Beyond the presentations, the event gave us the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new relationships within the local business ecosystem. One standout conversation was with Jan Jilis van Delsen, whose insights and shared passion for supporting communities made for a meaningful exchange. We look forward to exploring further conversations and collaborations.

Events like the SBF Budget Review remind us why staying tapped into local networks is so important. Understanding the shifting economic environment means we can better support our learners, partner organisations, and SME clients — helping them build resilience, skill, and confidence through changing conditions.

 Looking Ahead

Step8Up remains committed to evolving with the market and ensuring every individual and business we support has access to the training and insights they need to thrive, today really showed why training is needed to cut costs with all these changes. The Budget Review was a powerful reminder of how community, policy, and industry connect — and we’re proud to be an active part of that conversation.

A huge thank-you once again to Spelthorne Business Forum, the speakers, and JLR Sunbury for hosting such a dynamic and insightful event. We’re already looking forward to the next one.

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