For decades, Britain’s political party conferences have been less about ideological purity and more about the quiet hum of lobbying, backroom deals, corporate handshakes, and the subtle art of influence. The Conservative and Labour conferences, with their polished stands and VIP lounges, have long served as magnets for businesses seeking to curry favour or hedge their bets. But for parties led by Nigel Farage, first UKIP, then the Brexit Party, now Reform UK, businesses have historically kept their distance, wary of the populist taint and the media’s relentless scrutiny. To be seen with Farage was, for many, a risk too far — a potential stain on carefully curated corporate reputations. Yet in 2025, something is shifting. Reform UK, now a rising force with 10 councils under its control and topping national polls (including, notably, for the 2026 Senedd elections in Wales), is no longer the pariah it once was. Businesses, trade bodies, and even mainstream think tanks are flocking to engage with a party that, just a year ago, was a footnote in corporate strategies. As someone who has spoken to over 150 paying guests at public affairs events, lunch and dinner meetings, conferences, and policy roundtables, I can personally attest to this sea change — as can my waistline. The corporate world, however reluctantly, is waking up to the reality that Reform UK is a force they cannot ignore. Reform is reaching out to business — and business, at last, is reaching back. To understand this shift, we must first acknowledge the caution that has long defined business attitudes toward Farage’s parties. For the past 20 years, associating with UKIP or its successors was a gamble few companies were willing to take. The media painted Farage as a divisive figure, and businesses, ever sensitive to public perception, steered clear. At last year’s Reform UK conference, held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, only a handful of businesses dared to attend, despite an entry fee that was practically pocket change compared to the thousands demanded by Labour or Conservative events. The sparse corporate presence was a stark reminder of Reform’s outsider status — a party of disruptors, not dealmakers. But 2025 tells a different story. This year’s Reform UK National Conference has seen an unprecedented surge in corporate interest. Despite a hefty £600 per ticket for commercial delegates — a price reflecting the party’s growing clout — over 100 individual corporate tickets have been sold. Business representative groups, from trade associations to sector-specific bodies, are sending delegates. Even mainstream think tanks, once dismissive of Reform’s policy credentials, are signing up to sponsor debates and schmooze. This is no fleeting curiosity; it’s a calculated move by businesses finally recognising that Reform’s influence is no longer theoretical but tangible, with over 800 council seats and MPs in Parliament. At the heart of this outreach are Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, Reform’s leader and deputy leader respectively. Both are businessmen by training, background and instinct — Farage a former commodities trader, Tice a property developer — speaking the language of enterprise. Their approach is direct: well-attended, high-profile breakfast meetings that aren’t cheap to attend but are drawing crowds nonetheless. These events, often held in Westminster’s sleek venues, offer businesses a chance to hear directly from Reform’s leadership. Farage, with his knack for plain speaking, and Tice, with his focus on economic pragmatism, are pitching a vision of a Britain where work pays, regulations are streamlined, and businesses can thrive without bureaucratic shackles. I’ve seen this firsthand, addressing rooms packed with corporate leaders, from manufacturing bosses to tech entrepreneurs. These aren’t the usual political hangers-on; they’re serious players, many of whom admit they don’t share Reform’s worldview but can’t afford to ignore its rise. With Reform leading polls in Wales and showing clear teal water nationally, businesses are grappling with a stark reality: whether they like it or not, Reform’s policies could shape their sectors. From energy to manufacturing, retail to finance, companies are scrambling to understand what makes Reform tick — and how it might affect their bottom line. Some firms are even leveraging a curious advantage: employees who worked with Farage’s parties — UKIP or the Brexit Party — over five years ago. These individuals, long since distanced from the party political fray, bring institutional memory without the baggage of recent association. I’ve spoken to executives who credit these staff members with navigating Reform’s ecosystem, securing access to events and insights that others lack. It’s a quiet but effective strategy, proving that even cautious companies can engage with Reform without risking their public image. Reform UK is, at its core, a party of businesspeople and entrepreneurs. Its MPs — F...