Let’s Connect MK - Making connections that power the local economy

Founded by two of the city’s best-known and longest-established businesspeople, Let’s Connect MK is the latest addition to the vibrant networking scene in Milton Keynes.

The fun and friendly after-work event aims to connect businesspeople from across the ever-growing city, to create long-lasting and productive connections that help fuel businesses and power the local economy.

With the headline sponsorship of Plumbing & Gas Solutions, Let’s Connect MK has been started by Darren Dorrington, CEO of 1055 The Point FM, and Nicholas Mann, Managing Director of Connection Communications and Chair of the Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership. The event is also supported by Marco’s Italian Diner at the Holiday Inn, where guests are treated to an exceptional array of bowl food and small plates.

Commenting on Let’s Connect MK, Darren Dorrington said: "Having founded MKFM's Meet of MK in 2006, I was keen to create a new addition to our city’s thriving networking scene. Our goal for Let’s Connect has been to maintain the fun and informal elements of my previous event while focusing on quality rather than the quantity of conversations. We have done this by fostering a super-friendly atmosphere and working with Nick, and his contacts within MKBLP, to create a buzzing and vibrant list of regular attendees that all enthuse about the event. It’s still early days, but we are delighted with how well it’s going so far."

The number of attendees of Let’s Connect MK has grown from a respectable 50 at the first few trial events, to 65 at the February event, which was also the first to be held on a Thursday.

Darren added: "Our ethos of maintaining quality over quantity has proven successful and is evidenced clearly by the number of positive comments that we have received, not to mention the repeat bookings. It’s very gratifying, and we hope to hit our maximum target of 75 guests very soon."

Nicholas Mann said: "I have successfully chaired MKBLP for several years, where, famously, we organise events of the highest quality, frequented by some of the city’s most successful and influential businesspeople. However, my goal over the next couple of years is to help MKBLP grow in numbers, so I wanted to bring my expertise in event organisation to a wider audience. In Let’s Connect, I hope to blend the quality of MKBLP events with a new, fun, and friendly format, with a wider mix of people to include MKBLP members and many of my other contacts in the city."

"We could not have got this far without the support from Plumbing & Gas Solutions, so a huge thank you to Carl and his team. Similarly, the wonderful venue and food provided by Marco’s Italian Diner enable our attendees to arrange themselves informally at tables, to continue their conversations. This really adds to the friendly atmosphere of our events and our guests love it!"

The next Let’s Connect MK event is on the 3rd of April 2025, and tickets are available via Eventbrite.