End of an Era at BBBC as Sam Thomas Signs Off

February’s Big Business Breakfast Club brought another packed room of Brighton business leaders together at the Leonardo Royal Hotel – but this month’s event carried an extra moment of significance as co-host Sam Thomas delivered his final appearance after four years helping to build the BBBC community.

Approx 100 business owners, founders and professionals gathered for the February event, with around a quarter of attendees experiencing BBBC – and in some cases business networking itself – for the very first time. The mix of seasoned regulars and “Fresh Meet” newcomers continues to be a defining feature of the club’s format, creating an environment where experienced networkers sit alongside those taking their first steps into the local business scene.

The event was sponsored by Unleashed Exec, founded by Chris Cheeseman, who spoke about the organisation’s work helping leaders unlock performance through challenge and adventure. Cheeseman also introduced the upcoming White Gold Expedition in September 2026 – an ambitious leadership adventure alongside explorer Neil Laughton.

As part of the sponsorship, Unleashed Exec selected REACT as the event’s charity partner. REACT is a UK-based rapid response humanitarian charity that deploys volunteer teams to disasters and emergencies both in the UK and internationally. The BBBC community continues to support a different charity partner each month, with fundraising efforts now approaching £9,000 since the initiative began.

A highlight of the morning was the guest interview with public speaker Oly Newton, who shared his personal mission to positively impact one million young people by 2030 while raising awareness around OCD and neurodiversity. Newton’s candid discussion resonated strongly with the room, particularly among parents and business leaders navigating similar challenges in their own lives.

The popular “Big Steps for Small Business” segment was delivered this month by James Armstrong of Social Firefly, stepping in for regular contributor Alex Ryan. Armstrong’s session focused on how businesses can get more value from LinkedIn, sharing practical guidance on navigating the platform’s evolving algorithm and improving engagement.

February’s event also paused to recognise a group of long-standing BBBC ambassadors – regular attendees who have each participated in over 30 events. Ten ambassadors were celebrated during the meeting, reflecting the consistency and loyalty that underpin the club’s community spirit. With more than 160 ambassadors now active across Brighton’s networking scene, the BBBC continues to build a strong core of advocates who help welcome new members into the room.

But the biggest moment of the morning came at the close of the event, when the room acknowledged the contribution of Sam Thomas.

For four years Thomas has helped shape BBBC’s tone and energy as co-host, bringing humour, perspective and thoughtful conversations to the stage. His departure marks the end of a chapter as he moves forward to focus on his work tackling male suicide and challenging traditional ideas of success.

While the farewell carried a note of nostalgia, the message from founder Jim Cunliffe was clear: BBBC continues to evolve.

The next event takes place on 20 March at The Grand Hotel Brighton, with Acumen Law sponsoring the morning and supporting The Starr Trust as the chosen charity partner.

With tickets continuing to sell out month after month, the Big Business Breakfast Club remains one of the South Coast’s most vibrant business networking communities – proof that in a digital world, the power of real conversations over breakfast is still hard to beat.

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