Question 1

What is At The Helm?

Accepted Answer

At The Helm is a peer-to-peer membership group designed for business owners, CEO's, and senior decision-makers who want to drive change within their organisations, whilst growing, learning, and leading more effectively - without doing it alone.

Our group is a not-for-profit organisation - run by our members, for our members.

Question 2

Who is membership for?

Accepted Answer

Membership is ideal for:

Business owners, CEO's, and Managing Directors.
Individuals responsible for strategic decision-making and driving change within their business.
Curious leaders who value growth, collaboration, and honest feedback.  
Leaders who are keen to develop themselves, their people and their organisation.
Business leaders ready to scale - not start-ups.

If you're looking for a trusted network to challenge and support you, At The Helm is designed for you.

Question 3

How do I know if I’m a suitable member?

Accepted Answer

We carefully curate our membership to ensure the right fit. You’re likely suitable if you:

Lead a business or have significant leadership responsibility to drive change in your organisation
Are open-minded and willing to contribute as well as learn  
Value confidentiality and peer support  
Are committed to personal and professional growth  
Are ready to scale your organisation

All applicants go through an initial conversation to ensure alignment and maximise value for everyone involved.

You're not suitable if you:

Live or work outside of the Northwest or Yorkshire region of the UK
Do not have the authority to make decisions and drive change within your business
Are a start-up, or sole-trader (members must be established businesses that are ready to scale to add value and to gain value from the group)
Do not manage a team of people to a high level
Are not willing to contribute and add value to make our group thrive
Are only looking to network

Question 4

What is included with my membership?

Accepted Answer

At The Helm membership is designed to support both your personal growth and business success through a blend of peer support, expert insight, and tailored guidance.

Here’s what you can expect:

Monthly Group Meetings
Join facilitated, confidential sessions with a carefully selected group of non-competing business leaders. These meetings take place in high-calibre venues and include exclusive talks from world-class speakers, offering fresh perspectives and practical insights. Find out more here.

Exclusive Retreats
Take part in two members-only retreats each year at premium locations. These immersive experiences are designed to challenge and support you as you focus on your goals, while building stronger leadership and teamwork skills. Find out more here.

A Trusted Network
Become part of a close-knit community of ambitious CEO's, MD's, and Chairpersons. This is a space where you can share openly, gain honest feedback, and build meaningful, long-term relationships with like-minded leaders.

1:1 Mentoring
Receive personalised, in-depth, confidential support from an experienced mentor from our Guiding Group. These sessions are tailored to your unique challenges and ambitions, helping you grow both professionally and personally.

Expert Speakers
Benefit from private learning sessions at each meeting, featuring handpicked industry experts. Topics cover strategy, innovation, leadership, mindset, and more - always with a focus on real-world application for your organisation. Find out more here.

Members-Only Knowledge Hub
Gain ongoing access to a growing library of recorded talks and resources. This hub provides valuable insights and tools you can revisit anytime to support your continued development.

Together, these elements create a powerful environment to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. Get in touch to discuss membership to At The Helm.

As a member, we expect you to attend at least 7 out of 9 regular monthly meetings, plus one out of our two of the annual retreats per year.

Question 5

How do I apply to join?

Accepted Answer

Joining At The Helm is by approval only. To get started, simply:

Submit an enquiry or application via our website contact form or via email.
Have an introductory call to discuss your business and goals with one of our Guiding Group members.
If we're a fit, attend a meeting (as a guest) to experience the group, meet our members and see for yourself the value each meeting brings.
Receive confirmation if you agree to join, along with you membership contract and payment details.

This process ensures a high-quality, trusted peer environment.

We are a member-led organisation as as such, new members will only be accepted with the approval of our whole group.

Contact us here.

Question 6

What makes At The Helm different?

Accepted Answer

At The Helm is not a traditional peer-learning group . It is a member-owner and member-led, not-for-profit group where your voice is valued. Everything we do is for the benefit of our members.

We are a structured, trusted peer group focused on: 
Real conversations that offer real-world solutions
Long-term relationships, not one-off contacts 
Practical insights you can apply immediately  
Collaboration and challenge

At The Helm is a trusted group of peers who'll give you the honest input, fresh perspective, and genuine support you won't always find elsewhere.

New members will only be accepted with the approval of our whole group.

Question 7

What's it like to be a member of At The Helm?

Accepted Answer

The following is written into our Membership Constitution as a commitment made by each member to the group:

Your voice matters from day one
There are no silly questions, and your opinion is as valid as anyone else's in the room. The group learns when everyone gets involved - your questions, ideas, and experiences teach the rest of us, including the people running it.

Honesty is welcome here
If you think something could be better, say so - constructively. As a member-owner group, we have the freedom to evolve and experiment, and that only works when members are willing to challenge and be challenged in equal measure.

It's a respectful room
Members treat each other as they'd want to be treated themselves. Speakers and guests are welcomed properly - they give their time, and we value that.

Doing business together is encouraged
You're surrounded by capable, motivated people. If a commercial connection makes sense, make it. There's no reason not to.

The more people, the better
Members are encouraged to help grow the group. More perspectives in the room makes for richer conversations and better outcomes for everyone.

It's genuinely enjoyable
We laugh. Life's too short not to. The atmosphere is warm, human, and fun. We are not a networking event to be endured, but something you actually look forward to.

You'll make real, lasting friends
The relationships that form at At The Helm tend to last well beyond the meetings and we have an active Alumni who are still involved. That's not a happy accident - it's part of what the group is for.

Visit our website 'Testimonials' page to hear more from our members...

Question 8

What happens at a typical meeting?

Accepted Answer

Each meeting is designed to deliver real value and typically includes:

Subject Matter Expert Speaker(s) sharing practical, relevant insights  
Facilitated peer discussions on real business challenges 
Confidential problem-solving sessions  
Afternoon session focused on a current business challenge - e.g. Artificial Intelligence
Networking and relationship building at our welcome buffet breakfast and lunch
1:1 mentoring or 'buddy' Mentoring where you request it

These sessions are highly interactive and focused on real-world application - not just theory. Find out more here.

Question 9

How often do you meet?

Accepted Answer

Members attend 9 regular meetings, plus 2 retreats per year.

We generally meet for one full day per month for a structured, high-impact session at a North West-based location.

Additional one-to-one, 'buddy', or group mentoring is available whenever you request it, plus additional networking events and longer retreats are also held throughout the year, as well as a responsive group Whats App chat.

As a member, we expect you to attend at least 7 out of 9 regular monthly meetings, plus 1 out of 2 annual retreats per year.

Question 10

Where are meetings held?

Accepted Answer

Meetings are held one day per month across Northwest England.

At The Helm offer each member the opportunity to host a monthly meeting to introduce the group to their organisation and help understanding of their size, people and location. Where member-hosted meetings are unavailable, the meeting is held at a hotel conference facility.

Our locations are chosen to be the most accessible to the majority of our members, while maintaining a premium experience.

Question 11

Is everything confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of At The Helm.

Members are expected to: 
Share openly  
Respect others’ privacy  
Maintain strict confidentiality outside the group

This creates a safe space for honest conversations and meaningful support.

Question 12

Can I attend before joining?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Following an initial chat to assess our fit, we encourage prospective members to attend a meeting as a guest where possible.

This allows you to: 
Experience the format  
Meet current members  
See the value firsthand before committing

You are also welcome to book a call with any of our Guiding Group or current members before or after a meeting to talk through anything you need clarification on.

Simply contact us via our website form to get started...

Question 13

How much does membership cost?

Accepted Answer

We’ll always be transparent about membership fees during the application process, ensuring you understand the value and return on investment before committing.

As a not-for-profit organisation, all revenue after costs is reinvested for the benefit of members.

Please get in touch to discuss membership fees and payment options.

Question 14

How do I get in touch?

Accepted Answer

You can contact us by: 
Email to email@atthehelm.co.uk
Website contact form

Once you reach out, we’ll arrange a conversation to understand your goals and explore whether At The Helm is right for you, and if you're the right fit for us.

Question 15

Are there specific rules for being a member?

Accepted Answer

At The Helm is a member-owned and member-led, not-for-profit CEO Membership Group. As such, new members are only admitted with the approval of the whole group.

We have some 'Golden Rules' in our constitution paper to guide all members:

Confidentiality: what is said amongst members stays amongst members
No conflicts of interest: if you are concerned about that from time to time speak to the Chair and/or the other member concerned
No competing businesses
Attend the Meetings and Retreats:it only works if you are with us - members must attend at least 7 regular meetings (of 9) and 1 Retreat (of 2) each year. Stay all day.
Contribute: there are no silly questions, your opinions are as valid as anybody else's, we all learn by getting involved – your involvement teaches me
Challenge: if you think something can be improved – say so constructively; we now have the freedom to evolve and experiment with formats
Respect your colleagues: they deserve it just like you
Respect and welcome speakers and guests
You absolutely can do business with other members: why not?
Help grow the membership: The more brains in the room the better.
Laugh: life's too short
Make friends: life's too short
Trust the members as they will trust you

Find Out More