Roundtable's Christmas Gala 2025
Roundtable's Christmas Gala 2025 celebrated London and Manchester's top founders. Discover the RT Awards 2025 winners and what makes this exclusive community different.
The Roundtable Christmas Gala marked a defining moment for London and Manchester's most exclusive founder community. On November 27th, 2025, 50 established business owners gathered at Dial8 in Soho for an evening that perfectly embodied what Roundtable stands for: genuine connections, celebrating wins, and recognising excellence amongst peers who truly understand the founder journey. A Night of Recognition and Community As founder communities in London continue to evolve, Roundtable has distinguished itself by creating authentic relationships rather than transactional networking. The Christmas Gala represented everything this exclusive business network has built over nearly four years – a space where founders generating £50k to £10M+ in revenue come together not to sell, but to support. The evening kicked off at 6:30pm with early arrivals capturing the energy that only happens when the right founders are in the same room. With a free bar featuring spirits, beer, wine, and mocktails, alongside gradually served sushi, gyozas, and tacos, the atmosphere was relaxed yet elevated – exactly what you'd expect from London's most selective founder community.
The RT Awards 2025: Celebrating Founder Excellence At 8pm, the RT Awards ceremony began, recognising the outstanding achievements of Roundtable members across multiple categories. These weren't generic business awards – they were peer-nominated recognitions from founders who actually know each other's journeys. Award Winners Marketing Genius - Ben Stickland Recognised for innovative marketing strategies that have driven significant growth not just for his own ventures, but for fellow members he's advised throughout the year. Pivot Pioneer & Founder of the Year - Georgia Dixon A double winner who exemplified adaptability and leadership. Georgia's transformation into becoming the face of HR, landing keynote speaking engagements, and getting engaged made her a standout in the community. Rising Star & Communities Choice - Matt Stokes Taking home two awards, Matt's journey from full-time employment to successful freelance work resonated deeply with the community. The Communities Choice award demonstrated the genuine respect he's earned from fellow founders. Mentor of the Year & Feedback Master - Luke Dalton Luke's dual recognition highlighted his exceptional ability to support other founders whilst providing the honest, constructive feedback that drives real growth. His role as RT Ambassador for 2026 was a natural progression. Founder and Fitness - Boston Freestone, MSc Recognising the holistic approach Roundtable champions, Boston's award celebrated his commitment to maintaining peak physical performance whilst launching his app – proving that the best founders optimise both business and wellbeing. Most Likely to Exit for £10M+ - Sam Watson A forward-looking award recognising Sam's trajectory and the strategic foundations he's built, alongside his personal achievement of losing 47kg this year. Special Recognition Roscoe Fernandes, Roundtable's founding member who's been part of the journey since day one in March 2022, received special recognition for his unwavering commitment to the community's growth and culture.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Gala Happen The success of any founder event depends on the right partnerships. The Christmas Gala brought together sponsors who aligned with Roundtable's values and understood the unique nature of this business community. Our sponsors didn't just provide financial support – they became part of the evening, presenting awards and connecting with London and Manchester's most ambitious founders in an environment free from pitching and sales pressure. Each sponsor received prominent branding throughout the venue, personal award presentation opportunities, and association with excellence in the founder community. A massive thank you to Arthur Jones, who captured every moment throughout the evening whilst still managing to join the dancing. His content will showcase not just the awards, but the genuine connections and celebrations that make Roundtable unique. What This Means for London's Founder Community London's business networking scene is crowded with events promising connections and growth. What made the Roundtable Gala different wasn't the venue, the awards, or even the free bar – it was the quality of founders in the room and the authentic relationships they've built. With over £500k in business generated between members this year alone, and a collective annual turnover exceeding £10M, Roundtable has proven that when you carefully curate a founder community and prioritise genuine relationships over networking transactions, tangible results follow. These achievements represent what happens when founders aren't navigating their journey alone. Growing the Community: Manchester and London As Roundtable heads into 2026, the community continues to expand across both Manchester and London. The Christmas Gala demonstrated the appetite for high-quality founder events in London, whilst Manchester members made the journey south to celebrate together. For founders considering membership, the Gala showcased what makes this business community different: Quality Over Quantity: Only 20% of applicants are accepted, ensuring every member adds genuine value No-Pitching Environment: Authentic relationships built on mutual support, not sales agendas Holistic Development: Recognising that founder success encompasses business growth, personal development, and physical wellness Real Results: From six-figure business partnerships to personal transformations What's Next for Roundtable The Christmas Gala closed out 2025 in style, setting the stage for 2026. Roundtable returns January 7th, 2026, with refreshed groups, Luke Dalton stepping into his RT Ambassador role to lead in-person experiences, and continued expansion across Manchester and London. For established founders generating revenue (not early-stage startups) who value genuine connections over transactional networking, Roundtable offers something genuinely different in London's founder community landscape. Monthly in-person socials, bi-weekly online meetings, exclusive Vault partner perks, panel discussions, and international retreats all contribute to a founder community designed for those ready to grow both personally and professionally. Join London & Manchester's Most Exclusive Founder Community The success of the Christmas Gala reinforced why Roundtable maintains its selective admission process. When you gather the right founders in the right environment, magic happens. Not the superficial "networking magic" of collecting business cards, but the genuine connections that lead to business partnerships, personal growth, and the reminder that you're not navigating the founder journey alone. If you're an established founder in London or Manchester generating revenue and seeking genuine connections with peers who understand your journey, Roundtable might be exactly what you're looking for. Applications are assessed carefully, with only around 20% of applicants invited to join. The interview process and trial meeting ("vibe check") ensure mutual fit before membership begins. Ready to explore membership? Visit joinroundtable.xyz to learn more about joining London and Manchester's most exclusive founder community.