The BNI UK Podcast

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell is joined by UK National Director Mike Holman and Operations Director Simon McGuinness for a debrief on BNI's recent national conference - a milestone event marking 30 years of BNI in the UK. The conversation goes behind the scenes of what it takes to plan a three day event for 420 delegates, reflects on the £7 billion in business generated by UK memb...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Aaron Donnelly, Managing Director of Complexus Limited. Aaron shares how he communicates a highly technical offering - from telemetry and security to tracking people, vehicles and assets - in a way that non-technical audiences can understand and confidently refer. The conversation focuses on si...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined guest David Bartlett, a locksmith from the Maverick chapter in Suffolk. David shares an incredible real-life story that highlights the true power of community within BNI. What started as a routine call-out turned into a collective effort across multiple members and chapters to transform the life of a v...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Mike Holman explore a common question - can BNI members join multiple networking groups? The discussion clarifies the difference between casual contact networking and strong contact networking, and why BNI has specific policies around membership. Mike explains that the restriction isn’t about control, but about protecting memb...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Easton, Director at Business Communicate and a BNI member of over 11 years. Emma shares her perspective on building a true “tribe” within BNI — moving beyond tracking numbers and focusing instead on genuine relationships, trust and shared success. The conversation explores how consistency,...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell speaks with UK National Director Mike Holman about a challenge every BNI member will face at some point - receiving a bad referral. They explore what actually defines a “bad” referral and, more importantly, how to respond in a way that strengthens relationships rather than damages them. Mike shares a refreshing perspective that shifts the focus away f...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined by guest Rich Hayden, Managing Director of Made By Seven and a founding BNI member with over 22 years’ experience. Rich shares his journey from ineffective, transactional networking to building a powerful, accountable network that has generated millions in business - not just locally, but globally. Pac...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Robson, Director of Stort Valley Gifting and member of BNI Success for Business in Harlow. Emma shares her journey of launching a business during COVID after redundancy and how BNI played a pivotal role from day one - even securing her first customer before officially launching.  This...

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman welcome Andrew Payne of UK Property Service SW Ltd and BNI Spirit in Devon. Andrew shares how, in less than a year, he has used BNI not just to generate direct business, but to build a trusted national contractor network that helps him service commercial properties and student accommodation across the UK. He explains...

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and Mike Holman, National Director of BNI UK, break down one of the most important - and often underused - opportunities in BNI: the weekly presentation. Mike shares practical, no-nonsense advice on how members can use their 30, 45 or 60 seconds more effectively by treating the room as a sales team, not an audience to pitch to. The conversation explor...

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and national director Mike Holman welcome Jon Zink (Godiva BNI, Coventry), who shares how he went from never having done business networking to generating over £2.1m in revenue and passing nearly £3m in four years, placing him consistently in the UK’s top four BNI members. He credits BNI’s structure, Givers Gain®, and a disciplined approach to referra...

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Mike Holman welcome Tim Cook, Senior Director of Product Management at BNI Global and former UK National Director. Tim explains the origins of BNI’s member traffic lights, why they’re now being standardised across more than 70 countries, what’s changed in the new global model, and how members can use their scores as a practica...

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined by Birmingham Area Director Dawn Adlam, who supports over 200 members across the region. Dawn shares how she went from being crushed by her first “no” to confidently inviting visitors for 17+ years, using a simple, repeatable system that brings a steady flow of guests and tens of thousands of pounds in busi...

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell turns the mic on national director Mike Holman to unpack what makes “pure BNI” work: a clear agenda, core values, and doing the basics beautifully so members see a real return on investment. Mike traces his 25-year journey from golf-club manager and BNI member to franchise owner and now national director, sharing how the system, structure and communit...

Welcome to the BNI UK Podcast , the show for business networking , referral marketing and small business growth . If you’re an entrepreneur , SME owner , consultant or local business leader who wants more leads , better clients and stronger business relationships , you’re in the right place. BNI (Business Network International) is the world’s largest business networking organisation, built on one...