Steve Phillips on building ZappiA Chair who has sold a business
Every Forum is chaired by a founder who has built and sold a business, so the advice comes from someone who has made the same calls.
Helm vs Business Leader
Helm or Business Leader: which suits you?
Helm, originally The Supper Club, is the private club for founders and CEOs of UK scale-ups. 400+ members, an average turnover of £21m and 180+ events a year on top of Forum, with a strict no-sales rule.
Here is how it compares with Business Leader, side by side.
Helm vs Business Leader. How the two compare.
Both bring leaders together in small groups. They are built for different people. Start with the facts.
| Feature | Helm | Business Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Established | 2003, as The Supper Club | 2024 |
| Who it is for | Founders and CEOs | Founders and CEOs |
| Who leads your group | A founder who has built and sold a business | Coaches and facilitators |
| Group size | Six to eight founders | 10 or more |
Business Leader details come from its public information and may have changed, so check with Business Leader directly. Helm details are correct as of October 2026.
Read the full comparisons:Business Leader or a peer group?How to choose a CEO peer groupEvery comparison
Why founders choose Helm. What you get at Helm.
One membership, built around founders who have been where you are.
A small room
Six to eight founders at a similar stage, matched within three months. Small enough that every business gets real attention.
180+ events a year on top of Forum, included
Roundtable dinners, special guest dinners, workshops and retreats, in London and online.
Help between meetings
Put any question to 400+ founders and CEOs in the member community.
A curated room, with no selling
Advisers, service providers and recruiters can't join, and members don't pitch. The no-sales rule has held since 2003.
“Helm is like my friendly board who help me navigate difficult situations and choices.”
How to join Helm. Four steps. No hard sell.
- 1ApplyTwo minutes. Tell us about you and your business.
- 2Talk to usA 30-minute call with our team, to check Helm is right for you.
- 3Get approvedOur membership committee reviews every application, usually within 48 hours.
- 4Meet your ForumBook events straight away. We match you to your Forum within three months.
Helm vs Business Leader: FAQs. What founders ask us first
Something else on your mind? Talk to our team
How is Helm different from Business Leader?
Business Leader is a growth programme built on Sir Richard Harpin's 9 Steps method, with CEO coaching and peer forums. Helm is a peer club: founders learn from founders who have been there, chaired by someone who has sold a business, with 180+ events a year on top of Forum included.
Who can join Helm?
Founders and CEOs of businesses with £3m+ revenue. Every sector is welcome and every application is reviewed. Advisers and service providers cannot join.
How much does Helm membership cost?
Membership is a small monthly business cost that should pay back many times over. It includes your Forum, Helm's events and the member community, and you can cancel any time. Helm talks you through the options on a short call.
What happens in a Helm Forum?
A Forum is six to eight founders at a similar stage, chaired by a founder who has built and sold a business. It meets ten times a year for about three hours. Members bring real challenges and opportunities, from hiring and fundraising to selling the business, and leave clearer on what to do next.
Will members try to sell to me?
No. Helm started in 2003 as a reaction to being sold to at networking events, and the no-sales rule has held ever since. Advisers, service providers and recruiters cannot join.
YouThere's a seat at the table.
It's yours.
Join 400+ founders and CEOs who know exactly what this job feels like.