***We will be taking a short festive break in schedule; the next episode will release on Wednesday 7th January 2026***

In this episode, we’re joined by Philip Pugh, the driving force behind the revolutionary BMUK Academy, a powerful new platform built to support business owners at every stage of their journey.

Phil breaks down how the Academy helps startups finding their feet, established businesses ready to scale, and even companies on the brink of collapse. With step-by-step tutorials, expert-led insights, and tailored rescue plans, it’s designed to be a true lifeline for UK entrepreneurs.

But it doesn’t stop at content. Phil shares how the Academy’s community-first approach, including mentorship, peer networks, and interactive learning spaces, creates an environment where business owners don’t just learn, they grow together.

This episode explores how BMUK Academy aims to strengthen the UK economy from the inside out by helping businesses thrive, expand, and create jobs nationwide.

Subscribe now, and join the movement redefining business networking.

This episode of 'Networking, Working' is brought to you by Business Matching UK, the UK’s first business matching membership service with a business opportunity guarantee.

Visit www.business-matching.co.uk to learn more.

Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-matching-uk

Contact us at info@business-matching.co.uk

Business Matching UK: Matching ambition with opportunity.

CREDITS:

"Networking, Working' is a OneZeroCreative production.

Discover how podcasting can grow your brand; https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative

Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk

DISCLAIMER:

The information in this podcast is for general guidance and entertainment purposes only. The Networking Working Podcast shares ideas and experiences to inspire and inform, and we believe they can be valuable, but they may only reflect part of your own business journey. We always recommend seeking independent advice and using your own judgement to decide what’s right for your business...

In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on BMUK’s bold expansion mission. What started as a regional network in the Northeast has grown into a nationwide ambition—one that hasn’t come without hurdles. Paul recounts the early challenges of stepping into new territories like Leeds and Manchester, and the strategic moves that helped BMUK gain traction in unfamiliar cities.

He shares the bigger picture too: a franchising model designed to bring BMUK to major UK cities, each supported by satellite towns, creating a truly connected business ecosystem. Along the way, Paul breaks down what sets BMUK apart; from its promise of real business opportunities to its commitment to genuine, relationship-driven networking.

At its core, this episode explores a mission to reshape the culture of business membership groups across the UK, putting value, trust, and sustainable growth for SMEs at the heart of everything BMUK does.

Subscribe now, and join the movement redefining business networking.

This episode of 'Networking, Working' is brought to you by Business Matching UK, the UK’s first business matching membership service with a business opportunity guarantee.

Visit www.business-matching.co.uk to learn more.

Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-matching-uk

Contact us at info@business-matching.co.uk

Business Matching UK: Matching ambition with opportunity.

CREDITS:

"Networking, Working' is a OneZeroCreative production.

Discover how podcasting can grow your brand; https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative

Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk

DISCLAIMER:

The information in this podcast is for general guidance and entertainment purposes only. The Networking Working Podcast shares ideas and experiences to inspire and inform, and we believe they can be valuable, but they may only reflect part of your own business journey. We always recommend seeking independent advice and using your own judgement to decide what’s right for your business...

In this episode of Networking Working, Paul pulls back the curtain on the origin story of PLMS; later reimagined as Business Matching UK (BMUK). What started as a simple idea to reignite business growth after COVID quickly evolved into a fully systemised, digital-first networking model with national ambitions.

Paul takes us through the early spark, the experiments, and the breakthroughs that shaped BMUK into the structured, efficient, and refreshingly direct network it is today. He explains what sets BMUK apart, from its intentional membership guidelines to the way it maps and connects businesses across regions with purpose, not chance.

If you’ve ever wondered how a modern business network is built, or what it really takes to scale a local idea into a nationwide ecosystem, this episode delivers a valuable, first-hand behind-the-scenes account.

Subscribe now, and join the movement redefining business networking.

This episode of 'Networking, Working' is brought to you by Business Matching UK, the UK’s first business matching membership service with a business opportunity guarantee.

Visit www.business-matching.co.uk to learn more.

Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-matching-uk

Contact us at info@business-matching.co.uk

Business Matching UK: Matching ambition with opportunity.

CREDITS:

"Networking, Working' is a OneZeroCreative production.

Discover how podcasting can grow your brand; https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative

Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk

DISCLAIMER:

The information in this podcast is for general guidance and entertainment purposes only. The Networking Working Podcast shares ideas and experiences to inspire and inform, and we believe they can be valuable, but they may only reflect part of your own business journey. We always recommend seeking independent advice and using your own judgement to decide what’s right for your business...