Novus is a Chester based networking organisation focusing on delivering exciting, informal and unique events for young professionals. Our aim is to find inspiring speakers to come to the events and present us with a different insight into the world of business.

Novus was conceived in order to provide a channel for young people to experience the benefits of building and developing networking skills.

The group held its inaugural event in November 2002.

The inspiration for Novus came from a realisation that although there were plenty of organisations aimed at networking already present in Chester, there was a distinct lack of ‘young’ professionals attending.

‘Young’ as we all appreciate, is very much a state of mind! However, Novus intends to help those who are at the beginning of their professional careers, in need of support and valuable contacts, to help ‘fast forward’ their careers. We also hope that Novus will appeal to those people who, although established, want to develop rewarding relationships and concepts with other forward thinking people.

One of the most important parts of learning is getting the right information. Novus allows young professional people the opportunity to approach their peers and to hear from invited guests, which will enable both personal and business development.

Most importantly, Novus concentrates on making any event a relaxed, sociable one where young professionals can chill out and be themselves.

Last Event

The event was held last month at La Taverna,  with Phil Brown, Chairman and Creator of Philpotts giving a presentation on Gratia Placendi, which translates as the Delight of Pleasing. The event raised £148 for Fred Hollows Foundation UK. Over 40 Chester and North West based young professionals attended the event.

If you would like to receive invites to future Novus events please email info@novuschester.co.uk. For more information visit www.novuschester.co.uk

Examples of companies currently attending Novus events include – The Gate Marketing & Design (Recent winner of Cheshire Business Awards, Business Start Up Award), Fruit Boost, Yates & Co, Yorkshire Bank, Upstairs at The Grill,  Walker Smith Way, Marks & Spencer Money….

Next event will be in November. (Details yet to be confirmed)

The Fred Hollows Foundation UK raises money to help fund projects which treat and prevent curable (cataract) blindness in developing countries.

Before he died of cancer in 1993, Professor Hollows’ vision was to make affordable sight restoring operations available en masse in places where the problem is most acute such as Asia and Africa where strong solar radiation induces cataract blindness for millions each year

As a result of his initiative, around 2,000 people each week are now receiving lens implants which, in a 8 minute operation, restore full vision and last for life. The process is considered to be one of the most dramatically effective medical interventions so far achieved.

Money is now needed to train and equip more surgeons and develop further capacity to manufacture lenses.

Phil Brown Info

Chairman and Creator of Philpotts Ltd

Gordonstoun educated Philip Brown (56) spent 3 years in journalism before living and travelling in the far east for a further seven. In 1985 he founded PHILPOTTS through which his creative zeal for quality, design, hospitality and innovation have attracted success and several awards. ‘Being Better’ has been a passionate pursuit in business.

There are now 13 PHILPOTTS shops as far apart as Bristol and Leeds. With 180 employees and a turnover of £6.5M per year, the offer now includes carvery sandwiches, gourmet soups and ‘made to order’ Juices and Smoothies.

Married with 2 children, Philip lives in a converted water mill on the banks of the Dee in North Wales. Interests range from treasure diving to musical boxes and dry stone walling.