FuckUp Nights Bristol #13 - July 2026

Most people fuck up at some point...and generally people live to tell the tale.

Fuckup Nights is a global movement and event series that shares stories of professional failure. The event has been running in Bristol since April 2023.

Events across the globe get 3 or 4 people to get up in front of a room full of strangers to share their own professional fuckup/mistake. The stories of the business that crashes and burns, the partnership that goes sour, the product that has to be recalled, stories like these will all be told.

At this event we will have three fabulous speakers who are going to share their mistakes.  No happy ending for any of these three stories!

• Sarah Furness is going to tell us a story about how when she was a combat helicopter pilot she thought she and her crew had "...got away with it" even though she and her crew had completely...well, if I tell you more, I will spoil her story!
• Ruth Douglas will explain what a fundraising career, a dive centre, a daughter and a failed marriage all have in common!
• Tim Shaw will tell you his story about how as CEO and part owner of Watford Football Club in the early 2000's he led the club to the brink of financial disaster and the reasons behind it.

Sarah was an accomplished helicopter pilot, who at the time of the story had recently been promoted to instructor. She's going to tell us what went wrong when she and her crew were practicing landing multiple times over.

Ruth will tell us how she ditched my successful fundraising career, married her diving instructor, opened a dive centre, closed a dive centre, had her daughter, had her marriage implode and is still here to tell us the story.

Tim is a long time supporter of WFC who quite by chance became an investor (donor) and ultimately CEO of the club. During his time as CEO he worked with managers Graham Taylor, Luca Vialli and Ray Lewington.

Let's change the narrative, let's #ShareTheFailure and learn from it.

What's Included

All tickets include a glass of wine or beer or two soft drinks plus some decent canapés (enough to keep your hunger at bay until later in the evening).

Timings

6:00pm - Doors open & networking

6:30pm - Canapés

7:00pm - Presentations start.  Each presentation is 10 minutes with 5 minutes Q&A

8:00pm - Networking & drinks

9:30pm - Close

Step Free Access

There is step free access throughout the venue’s indoor areas via ramps and a lift, however unfortunately the terrace and garden can only be accessed via steps and there may not be an accessible toilet available on the evening. Please do let us know in advance if you will need ramps.

Promoter

This event is organised by David Gilroy, Managing Director, Conscious Solutions.  A serial entrepreneur David has for the last 30 years worked exclusively in the online space having been part of the early management team at CompuServe, cofounded Sift and for the last 20 years led the team at Conscious Solutions, the UK's leading digital marketing agency for law firms.

100% Money Back Guarantee

If you do not feel you got any value from this event, email bristol@fvckupnights.com within 24hrs of the start time and you will be refunded 100% of your fee.

Sponsorship

At Smale Compliance, I provide tailored services such as AML audits, training, policy drafting, AML support and building compliance functions that truly work for your firm.

Any profit from sponsors is donated to https://www.gympanzees.org/

Media Partner

I don't have one yet. Interested?  Let me know.

Code of Conduct

Our events are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of FuckUp Nights Bristol.

Photographs

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the event. These will be used by FuckUp Nights Bristol for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or any third-party publication. Please contact us if you have any concerns.