Introducing Starling as the Power Partner of Business Connections

Something exciting is happening at the City Girl Network.

Starling has become the Power Partner of Business Connections; the side of the City Girl Network that exists to help businesses grow, connect and thrive. This isn't a logo on a banner. This is a genuine, year-long collaboration that puts one of the UK's most ambitious banks right at the heart of our community.

And I couldn't be more proud of what we're planning to build together.

Why Starling?

I've been a Starling customer – personally and in business – since 2018. I was drawn to them from the very beginning, inspired by Anne Boden's founding story: the first woman ever to start a bank in the UK. Choosing a bank is one of the most important decisions you make as a business owner, and I wanted to align with one that was brave enough to do things differently.

Over the last 18 months I've had the privilege of getting to know the Starling team properly. I've spoken to their senior leaders about my customer experience, collaborated on campaigns, been part of their Small Business Britain initiative and visited their offices. When I began looking for a Power Partner to accelerate Business Connections, there was only one name on my list.

Thankfully, they agreed.

What makes this partnership different?

Business Connections powered by Starling is built around a simple idea: business owners deserve unfiltered access to the people and knowledge that can actually help them. That means honest conversations about money, practical tools that work in the real world, and growing connections with other businesses.

Starling brings the expertise. CGN brings the community. Together, we create something neither of us could do alone.

What to expect over the next 12 months

The next 12 months of our power partnership will feature a series of monthly articles, focusing on Business Budgeting, Cashflow, VAT, AI, Technology for Business, Productivity and Sustainable Growth. This content is being produced in collaboration with Starling and will be shared across our website and social media, available to everyone.

In true CGN fashion, we’ll also be touring across six of our cities, inviting local and national experts to join us in flagship panel events. Plus, our existing networking and coworking events will be getting a big boost, expanding even further across the UK.

The Launch Event — 24 June 2026

We're kicking off the partnership with a flagship panel event on 24th June at PLATF9RM Hove. It’s the first of six flagship events that we’re taking across the UK.

We'll be joined by Michele, Starling’s Chief Marketing Officer, alongside a panel of experts covering business finance, cash flow, budgeting and how to win work by understanding the budgets of the companies you want to work with.

There will be drinks, networking, 60-second pitches and — most importantly — the chance to ask a senior Starling leader your real questions, directly.

Are you a Starling customer?

A lot of City Girls already bank with Starling and we'd love to know if you’re one of them. 

If you're a Starling business or personal customer, let us know in the comments or drop us a message. We're building a network within the network, and the Starling team would love to connect with you.

And if you're not yet a Starling customer but you're curious, this year is a great time to find out what they're all about.