BOLDEN

Members · BOLDEN Forums

Meaningful conversations. Trusted relationships. Opportunities without borders.

Small, curated and professionally facilitated conversations across industries, countries and interests, and how to run one.

One network

Many conversations

BOLDEN Forums bring together carefully selected business leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers to exchange experience, share knowledge and build trusted relationships.

Unlike traditional peer-advisory groups, BOLDEN members are not required to meet the same people every month. They can take part in different Forums across industries, countries and areas of interest, continually widening their knowledge, relationships and opportunities.

Every Forum is deliberately small, professionally facilitated and built around a relevant theme, challenge or opportunity.

Meet the right people. Share what you know. Help one another succeed.

Explore our Forums

Ten kinds of Forum

  1. 01

    Industry Sector Forums

    Connecting leaders within an industry.

    Business leaders from the same sector discuss trends, challenges, emerging opportunities and shared priorities. From tourism and agriculture to mining, finance, manufacturing and technology, these Forums help industry leaders learn from one another and strengthen their sectors.

    Example The Future of Tourism and Hospitality in Botswana

  2. 02

    Cross-Sector Forums

    Where different industries discover common ground.

    Some of the greatest opportunities emerge when leaders from different industries come together. These Forums connect complementary sectors to exchange perspectives, address shared challenges and explore collaboration.

    Example Connecting Agriculture, Finance, Logistics and Technology

  3. 03

    Cross-Border Forums

    Building relationships between neighbouring markets.

    Leaders from two or more countries share market knowledge, exchange experience and develop trusted business relationships, helping members understand new markets and connect beyond their national borders.

    Example Botswana–Zambia Business Leadership Forum

  4. 04

    Pan-African Forums

    Connecting Africa’s business leadership.

    Leaders from across the continent discuss regional challenges, industry developments and opportunities for greater African cooperation, building relationships between people who operate in different markets but share similar ambitions.

    Example African Mining, Energy and Infrastructure Forum

  5. 05

    Global Bridge Forums

    Connecting Africa with the world.

    Through BOLDEN’s international relationships and trusted partner networks, members engage with leaders in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, for knowledge exchange, market understanding and cross-border collaboration.

    Example Africa–Silicon Valley Innovation Forum

  6. 06

    Leadership and CEO Forums

    Learning from the experience of other leaders.

    A trusted environment for CEOs, founders and senior executives to exchange perspectives on leadership, growth, organisational change, succession and difficult decisions. Participants learn from one another’s experience rather than receiving unsolicited advice.

    Example Leading Through Change and Uncertainty

  7. 07

    Opportunity and Dealflow Forums

    Turning trusted relationships into practical opportunities.

    Curated discussions on specific opportunities: investment, strategic partnerships, market entry, distribution and technology transfer. Participation is voluntary and based on relevant interests and capabilities; commercial conversations are clearly identified and conducted with mutual consent.

    Example Cross-Border Manufacturing and Distribution Opportunities

  8. 08

    Innovation and Knowledge Forums

    Sharing ideas that move industries forward.

    Innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and business leaders exchange knowledge about emerging technologies, new business models and practical innovation.

    Example Artificial Intelligence and the Future of African Business

  9. 09

    Next Generation and Mentorship Forums

    Connecting experience with emerging leadership.

    Established executives, entrepreneurs and the next generation of business leaders meet for reciprocal learning, guidance and fresh perspectives.

    Example Emerging Founders Meet Established Business Leaders

  10. 10

    Diplomatic and International Relations Forums

    Connecting international experience with economic opportunity.

    Experienced diplomats, international trade specialists, business leaders and institutional representatives strengthen relationships between countries and markets, helping members understand international markets, cultural considerations and opportunities for cooperation.

    Example Strengthening Africa–Europe Trade and Investment Relationships

A deeper level of trust

BOLDEN Private Circles

For members seeking ongoing peer support, BOLDEN also offers Private Circles: confidential groups of six to eight leaders who meet regularly with the same participants to discuss personal, professional and leadership challenges.

Private Circles use structured reflection, shared experience and facilitated discussion to help members gain clarity and grow. Unlike the rotating Forums, they offer continuity and deeper relationships over time.

Participation is optional and subject to suitability and availability. No commercial activity takes place in a Private Circle.

How it works

How BOLDEN Forums work

  • Small by design. Most Forums bring together about 8 to 12 participants, so everyone can contribute.
  • Curated participation. Members are invited or selected for the Forum’s theme, their relevant experience and what they can contribute.
  • Different people, different perspectives. Members can join several Forums a year, meeting leaders across industries and borders. There is no requirement to attend the same Forum every month.
  • Respect for your time. Most Forums last 60 to 90 minutes, with longer sessions where appropriate.
  • Professionally facilitated. A BOLDEN facilitator ensures balanced participation, respectful discussion and a productive experience.
  • Meaningful follow-through. Members may request introductions or continue conversations after a Forum, always by mutual agreement.

Every Forum runs on the BOLDEN culture: the Code of Culture and the House rules, starting with one question: how can I help you?

What success looks like

What makes a good Forum

Success is not measured by the number of business cards exchanged or the seniority of the people in the room. A successful Forum leaves members with greater understanding, useful relationships, fresh perspectives and a reason to stay engaged.

Some connections lead to advice and friendship. Others lead to partnerships, investment, new markets or shared initiatives. The aim is never to force an outcome, but to create the conditions in which valuable relationships and opportunities develop naturally.

One membership. Many conversations. A world of trusted connections.

BOLDEN Forums

How to facilitate a BOLDEN Forum

A one-page brief for Ambassadors and Facilitators. Read it before you start, and keep it beside you.

Pilot version: the Chatham House Rule, the 48-hour follow-up and the online group size are being tested and may change.

Your role

You are there to curate, host and connect. Bring the right people together around one shared question. Then run a disciplined, generous conversation, and make sure the right introductions happen afterwards.

Facilitators are the custodians of the Forum experience. Your job is not to dominate the discussion or provide all the answers, but to create the conditions for useful conversations and trusted relationships. Protect confidentiality, and step in when behaviour falls short of the Code of Culture.

A successful facilitator is measured not by how much they speak, but by the value participants gain from one another.

Before the Forum

  • Agree the theme and the shared question, for example: "How do we bring more regional investors into Botswana tourism?"
  • Send everyone the question and the list of participants (name, role, country) two days ahead.
  • Ask each participant to prepare a two-minute introduction.
  • Have a timer ready. For online sessions, check that everyone's name and country show on screen.

The 90-minute Forum

  1. 0:00
    Welcome 10 min
    State the theme, the shared question and why each person was invited. Read the ground rules (below).
  2. 0:10
    Leadership round 20 min
    Each person has two minutes: their role, what they are working on, something they have learned recently, and one challenge or opportunity. Keep strictly to time.
  3. 0:30
    The main conversation 30 min
    Explore the shared question. Invite real experience, not opinions or pitches. Draw out the quiet voices.
  4. 1:00
    Connections 20 min
    Each person names the expertise they can offer and one introduction they would value. Note every request; no deals are done in the room.
  5. 1:20
    Close 10 min
    Each person shares one useful insight and one connection they would welcome. Restate the confidentiality rule.

Ground rules to read aloud

  1. Chatham House Rule. Use what you learn here, but never say who said it.
  2. Share, don't advise. Speak from your own experience: "When I faced this, I..." rather than "You should...".
  3. Equal airtime. Everyone is heard; no one dominates.
  4. No pitching. Opportunities move through introductions after the session.
  5. Fully present. Phones away, and cameras on when online.

Useful phrases

  • If someone pitches: "Let's hold that for the connections round, where it can go somewhere."
  • If someone gives advice: "Can you share that as your own experience?"
  • If someone is quiet: "What does this look like in your market?"
  • If someone dominates: "Thank you. Let's hear from a few others first."
  • If the talk stays general: "What's a real example from your own business?"

Within 48 hours

  • Send a thank-you note with the key insights, with no names attached.
  • Make the requested introductions, but only once both people have agreed.
  • Collect a value score of 1 to 5 from each participant.
  • Diary a follow-up in 30 days: did the introductions lead to meetings?

Hosting online (Global Forums)

Keep the group to 8 to 10 people and use two co-hosts: one leads the conversation, the other watches time and the chat. Call on people by name, because online silence rarely means agreement.

Build trust through meaningful conversations, then let that trust travel across industries and borders.