Free Networking for Small Businesses & Charities FSB Connects - Southwark

Free networking for business owners, charity leaders and senior professionals seeking partnerships, referrals and opportunities
About this Event

Free networking for small businesses and charities. It's time to talk about AI Governance

Are you already using AI in your business?

Whether it’s ChatGPT, automated marketing tools, AI note-takers, recruitment software, or customer service platforms, many small businesses are now using AI every single day, often without fully understanding the risks, responsibilities, or governance considerations that come

with it.

This month’s FSB Connect Southwark event will explore the growing importance of AI governance for SMEs in a practical, accessible, and non-technical way.

Our guest speaker Bryan Altimas of Riverside Consulting will lead a discussion around:

● What AI governance actually means for small businesses

● The hidden risks many businesses overlook when adopting AI tools

● GDPR, data handling, and compliance considerations

● Questions businesses should ask before implementing AI systems

● How SMEs can embrace AI confidently and responsibly

This is not a scare session; it’s an opportunity to better understand the tools many businesses use are already using and to make informed decisions moving forward.

Alongside the presentation, there will be plenty of time for open networking, introductions, collaboration opportunities, and informal discussions with fellow business owners from across Southwark and beyond. Whether you are already heavily using AI, simply curious about it, or unsure where to begin, this event is designed to help small businesses navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape with greater confidence.

Who is it for

• Founders
• Business Owners
• Directors and senior decision-makers
• Charities and Social Enterprises

What to expect.

• Meet other local businesses and organisations
• Interactive discussion around AI governance in our businesses, where is the risk and how do we manage it.
• Discover local initiatives, programmes, and opportunities
• Build meaningful connections within the Southwark business community
• Tea & Coffee

About the event

Hosted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), supporting over 150,000 UK businesses. This session brings together other local organisations working to support businesses in and around the community.