Work in Norwich Networking Evening

Norwich is an amazing city for support and community. Join us as we highlight and connect you with the businesses, community groups and organisations that can help you start-up, scale-up and sustain your brand.

Work in Norwich and Norwich Games Festival welcome you to an evening event celebrating and connecting the incredible games and tech community, and support in the region - hear from local organisations who run events and activities that you can engage with, along with businesses that specialise in products and services for the games and tech sectors. Come along to listen to some short talks, meet the local industry players and enjoy some light bites.

The evening will begin with a series of Lightning Talks in The Auditorium to prompt discussions that will follow in The Atrium. During the talks, you will find out more about the networks and communities available to you, and why it’s so essential that you engage with them.

After the speakers, head up to The Atrium to meet local businesses, community groups and support networks who will answer questions and share their experiences. Businesses and organisations will share their knowledge and guide attendees to seek out expert support, whether they are starting off, or established in the games and tech sector. This is a great opportunity for creators to get signposted to the local support, communities and organisations available in the region.

The talks are ticketed and although free, booking is essential. If you miss out on the talks, you are welcome to attend the networking after (from 7:15pm).

Recommended for ages 16+ and those working in the games and tech sectors in East Anglia.

The Auditorium and The Atrium, The Forum

Free

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor and event partner, Work in Norwich.

Work in Norwich (WiN) is operated by Norwich Business Improvement District (BID).

WiN is one of eight core projects delivered through Norwich City Council’s Town Deal programme; its aim is to provide a significant boost to the city’s economy – a central theme for all of Norwich’s Town Deal projects.

Seeking to attract businesses interested in relocation, WiN promotes the city as a hub for investment and as a beautiful and vibrant place to live.

Objectives:

• To attract and retain talent to develop Norwich

• To illustrate Norwich as an attractive and successful destination for business

• To increase commercial property occupation by inspiring businesses to relocate to Norwich

Ellie Buchan is the Event Producer for Norwich Games Festival, presented by The Forum Trust.

Before programming NGF, Ellie taught Video Production and Media Studies for 15 years at a sixth form college spent the last 9 as Faculty Leader for Computing, Games, Esports, Film and Music. Her love of education and supporting young people into creative and tech careers is something she aims to maintain through her festival work, particularly as games is such an accessible and enjoyable landscape to play in!

Konstantina Chiotelli is a Marketing Executive at Norwich Business Improvement District, where she champions the people, businesses, and opportunities that make Norwich a thriving place to live and work through the Work in Norwich [WiN] campaign. Originally from the Greek island of Lesvos, she moved to Norwich to study at UEA and has since built a career rooted in storytelling, place marketing, and brand development.

In her role, Konstantina creates and curates content that amplifies voices across a wide range of sectors. Her work connects local talent, employers, and newcomers to the city, helping shape a compelling narrative around Norwich’s economy, culture, and quality of life.

Lucy Marks connects people in business and is the Managing Director of the award-winning and vibrant business community, Norfolk Network. She believes that a trusted, well-informed introduction is the beginning of a meaningful business relationship, and is passionate about creating comfortable, stimulating, and inclusive networking environments where people can be themselves and thrive.

Lucy holds an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of East Anglia, awarded in recognition of her work giving students unique opportunities to develop employability skills, and for forging strong relationships between the university and the local business community.

Melissa Phillips is a Norwich Games Festival Patron and founder of Games Leadership ©, which started with a simple observation: leading and working in Games shouldn’t feel like guesswork.

Built from both real studio experience and evidence-informed practice, our approach combines practical tools, training, coaching, and supportive community spaces to navigate the everyday realities of making games.

Whether you're a studio founder, a seasoned developer, or simply curious, Games Leadership® exists to champion intentional leadership practice and support long-term impact across the Industry.