Cirencester's biggest private employer - and the biggest by turnover in Gloucestershire - has met face-to-face with some of the town's smallest but no less ambitious businesses.

In what was a show of mutual support wealth manager St James's Place played host to one of the town's chamber of commerce's networking events.

Aimed at bringing the members, guests and new faces together the meeting was hosted at the FTSE firm's Tetbury Road headquarters and involved an estimated 50 business people.

Mark Harris, who runs Unit 3 Studios Ltd, near Cirencester, a Google analytics, SEO and PPC management agency aimed at Cotswold businesses, introduced guest speakers.

Andrew Humphries, a senior director at St. James's Place, welcomed everyone to the firm's headquarters and explained how it had grown over 27 years from a business with just three staff to the 1,000-strong world-wide operation it was today.

"It was three men in a garage 27 years ago and 1,100 employees in a global business today. If you want to grow your business, it can be done in Cirencester," said Mr Humphries.

Amanda Strange, from the HR Department, gave a short presentation on the fine line to be trod between what is banter and what is not in the workplace, and the potential legal implications.

And Vicky Henderson, of Ascending Performance Coach, gave a whistle-stop introduction to emotional intelligence, what it is and how, by increasing it, it could help you and your business or career develop.

Other events flagged-up at the gathering were the Let's Graze event at Cirencester's Growth Hub, today (June 13), at 4pm, which will offer the opportunity to enjoy produce from Sibling Distillery and Indie Veggie, and a BNI open event on June 21.

Non-members are welcome to attend up to two meetings (includes evening and breakfast meetings) in any 12 month period free of charge, after which there will be a fee of £10 per meeting.

There is a charge of £8.50 for the chamber's breakfast meetings. Evening meetings are the second Wednesday of each month and breakfast meetings on the third Thursday of each month.

To find out more visit Cirencester Chamber of Commerce's website or email info@cirencesterchamber.org.uk.