A new monthly networking event aims to help Huddersfield and West Yorkshire small businesses grow through trust, accessibility and stronger local connections.

For most small business owners, time is their most valuable asset.

Taking a morning or afternoon away from running a business is never an easy decision. Every hour spent networking is an hour not spent serving customers, generating sales or managing day-to-day operations.

That is exactly why The Ethical Networking Event, taking place in Huddersfield on Thursday 22 October 2026 at Fresh Futures, Brian Jackson House, has been designed differently.

Rather than focusing on collecting business cards or delivering sales pitches, the event has been created to give West Yorkshire-based small businesses practical ideas, valuable local connections and real strategies they can take back into their organisations immediately.

Organised by Bnode Ltd, who are a Huddersfield-based digital agency that specialises in ethical digital marketing, accessible WordPress websites and inclusive digital experiences, the event recognises that today's SMEs face a different business landscape than they did just a few years ago.

Firstly, customers are becoming more selective about who they buy from.

Secondly, employees increasingly want to work for businesses and organisations that share their values.

Lastly, procurement teams are placing greater emphasis on social value, accessibility and responsible business practices when awarding contracts.

For many SMEs, these changes represent an opportunity rather than a challenge.

According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trust has become one of the strongest influences on purchasing decisions. Businesses that demonstrate transparency, fairness and a genuine commitment to their communities are more likely to earn customer loyalty and long-term advocacy.

For small businesses, where ethical business practice and reputation is often their greatest competitive advantage, this matters enormously.

This is why the Ethical Networking Event was created around answering one simple question: how can ethical business practices help local Huddersfield-based and wider West Yorkshire SMEs become more successful?

Visitors will leave with practical ideas they can begin implementing immediately - whether that is improving customer experience, making their website more accessible, strengthening supplier relationships or understanding how responsible business practices can improve competitiveness.

One of the event's core themes will be accessibility.

Accessibility is often seen purely as a legal requirement, but the reality is much broader. Accessible businesses create better experiences for everyone - not just people with a disability, condition or impairment. Whether that means making a website easier to navigate, improving communication, welcoming more diverse customers or removing barriers that prevent people engaging with a business, accessibility is increasingly recognised as both a commercial opportunity and a demonstration of good customer service. Essentially, accessibility is good business practice.

Research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research highlights the enormous spending power of disabled people and their households, often referred to as the Purple Pound. Businesses that improve accessibility are not only helping more people, they are also opening themselves to one of the UK's largest consumer markets and boosting their bottom line.

Not only that, but for SMEs competing against larger organisations, creating inclusive customer experiences can give you a genuine competitive advantage.

The event - taking place for the first time on Thursday 22 October 2026 at Fresh Futures, Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire but will run monthly - will also explore how ethical business practices contribute towards stronger Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The key considerations of:
- Supporting local suppliers,
- Creating accessible services,
- Paying invoices promptly,
- Reducing environmental impact,
- Treating employees fairly, and
- Giving something back to the local community.

Are all examples of responsible business practices that strengthen ethical and business reputation while creating lasting relationships with customers, employees and other organisations too.

Increasingly, they are also becoming factors considered during procurement exercises, particularly within the public sector and larger organisations that place greater emphasis on social value. For SMEs hoping to secure larger contracts, understanding these expectations can provide a significant commercial advantage. 

The Ethical Networking Event offers an opportunity to learn directly from organisations already embracing these principles. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop relationships with like-minded businesses that believe commercial success and community impact can work together.

Chris Naylor, Digital Director at Bnode Ltd, said:

"Small businesses rarely have the luxury of wasting time. We wanted to create an event where every conversation offers value. Whether someone leaves with a new customer, a new supplier, a fresh idea or simply a different way of looking at their business, they've invested their time wisely."

Huddersfield has always been known for its innovation. From its world-renowned textile industry to today's thriving independent businesses, the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees town has repeatedly shown that collaboration, craftsmanship and community create long-term success. Not just in Kirklees and West Yorkshire but far beyond.

The Ethical Networking Event builds on that proud heritage by encouraging local businesses to think beyond immediate sales and instead focus on creating businesses and organisations that customers and service users trust; employees, staff and volunteers value; and communities are proud to support. We're dedicated to showing that you can grow your business and organisation ethically. For many SMEs, that decision may prove to be one of the most valuable business investments they make this year.

Businesses and organisations wishing to attend can find further information and reserve their free place via the eventbrite ticketing website - at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ethical-networking-event-huddersfield-tickets-1993205614649.