3–4 November 2026 · NEC, Hall 8
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Tuesday 3 November
Sessions in time order · All times GMT
If you’re better than your competitors, why are they winning more business?
Graham Todd
Director · Spaghetti Agency
- Host
Trevor Jenkins
Co-Founder · NJC
Close session details: If you’re better than your competitors, why are they winning more business?
As businesses grow, founders become increasingly focused on operations, leaving marketing inconsistent and their expertise overlooked. This session explores how businesses can turn their existing knowledge into greater visibility, authority and trust in an AI-driven world.
Talking points
- Unlocking internal expertise
- Visibility in an AI-driven world
- Turning knowledge into marketing
What will it take for UK businesses to thrive over the next decade?
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Dominic McGregor
Founder · Fearless Adventures
Hollie Whittles MBE
National Policy Champion for Skills · FSB
Darren Pirie
Head of Accelerator & Partnerships · NatWest
- Host
Sir Liam Fox
Chair · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: What will it take for UK businesses to thrive over the next decade?
From access to finance and talent to regulation, technology and international trade, the environment for entrepreneurs is changing rapidly. A discussion on the opportunities, challenges and decisions that will shape the next generation of successful UK businesses.
Talking points
- Creating the right conditions for growth
- Building competitive businesses
- The future of UK entrepreneurship
How AI is redefining entrepreneurial productivity without coding – By Google
Noor Boukema
AI Lead BNL Enterprise · Google
- Host
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: How AI is redefining entrepreneurial productivity without coding – By Google
Explore how entrepreneurs can use Google’s no code AI tools to automate everyday tasks, streamline workflows and boost productivity without needing technical or coding expertise.
Talking points
- AI without the technical barrier
- Automating everyday business tasks
- From AI tools to smarter workflows
The decisions that shape a business
Jason Graystone
Founder · Jason Graystone
Dr Jo Perkins
Chartered Psychologist · Dr. Jo
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Benjamin Wade
Founder & CEO · West Peak
- Moderator
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Partner · KC Partners
Close session details: The decisions that shape a business
Every founder faces moments where there is no obvious answer. A discussion on decision making, risk, uncertainty and the judgement required to lead through periods of growth and change.
Talking points
- Handling setbacks
- Managing uncertainty
- Making decisions with incomplete information
Building a business plan that works
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Building a business plan that works
Every successful business starts with a clear strategy and a practical plan. This workshop will help entrepreneurs define their business concept, understand their market and create a roadmap for sustainable growth.
Talking points
- Define your business concept, target market and value proposition
- Understand the essential components of an effective business plan
- Set realistic goals and priorities for your first 12 months
From idea to income
Jeevan Punj
Founder & Director · Elite Hampers
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: From idea to income
Turning an idea into a profitable business requires perseverance, adaptability and a willingness to learn. Jeevan shares her entrepreneurial journey, offering practical insights into finding customers, overcoming challenges and achieving early success.
Talking points
- Making the leap into entrepreneurship
- Finding and winning your first customers
- Lessons learned from early setbacks and breakthroughs
Standing out: Building a brand people remember
Blake Sweeting
Managing Director · BlakeMark Digital
Tejal Prajapati
Founder · TP Creative
Fareeda Jaleel
Regional Director · The Marketing Centre
Charlotte Li
Co-Founder · TOCO
Olivia Bishop
Co-Founder · TOCO
- Moderator
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: Standing out: Building a brand people remember
In crowded markets, being better is rarely enough. A discussion on positioning, differentiation and creating a brand that customers recognise, trust and recommend.
Talking points
- Standing out in competitive markets
- Defining what makes the business distinctive
- Building recognition and recall
How the best businesses turn strategy into profitable growth
Ben Mekie
Founder · Acuity Associates
- Host
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Partner · KC Partners
Close session details: How the best businesses turn strategy into profitable growth
A good strategy only creates value when it can be executed. This interactive session explores how high-performing businesses use operating systems, financial infrastructure and better decision-making to improve productivity, margins and sustainable growth.
Talking points
- Strategy into execution
- Strategy into execution
- Profitable growth
Today’s funding deal writes tomorrow’s dispute
Robin Somerville
Barrister & Mediator · Robin Somerville
- Host
Julie-Anna Needham
Founder & Director · Decibel Podcasts
Close session details: Today’s funding deal writes tomorrow’s dispute
Every funding agreement carries the seeds of a future disagreement, whether it's a missing shareholders' agreement, an overlooked term, or expectations that were never quite aligned. A look at where those disputes typically take root, how to spot the warning signs while the deal is still on the table, and for those already living with one, the practical routes to a workable resolution.
Talking points
- Where funding disputes usually start
- Spotting the clauses that matter before you sign
- What to do once you're already in one
Fireside Interview: Building a brand people remember - The Ted Baker story
Ray Kelvin CBE
Founder · Ted Baker
- Host
Alex Chisnall
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: Fireside Interview: Building a brand people remember - The Ted Baker story
Few businesses build brands that remain distinctive as they grow. Ray Kelvin reflects on the decisions, creativity and consistency that helped turn Ted Baker into one of Britain's most recognisable retail brands.
Talking points
- Brand positioning
- Customer experience
- Founder influence
Designing your three-year vision
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Designing your three-year vision
Growth begins with having a clear destination in mind. This workshop will help business leaders define their future ambitions and create a strategic roadmap to turn vision into reality.
Talking points
- Define what success looks like in three years
- Align business goals with long-term ambitions
- Create a roadmap that drives measurable progress
Moving beyond founder-led sales
Chris Webber
Director · Foxleigh
Andrew Milbourn
Founder & CEO · Kiss the Fish
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Jacob Lockwood
Founder · Lockwood
- Moderator
Lucy Whittington
Founder · Inspired Business Marketing
Close session details: Moving beyond founder-led sales
Many businesses reach a point where growth is constrained by the founder remaining at the centre of every sale. A discussion on building sales capability, creating repeatable processes and scaling revenue generation.
Talking points
- Recognising founder bottlenecks
- Hiring and developing sales capability
- Creating repeatable sales processes
Smart people, slow decisions: Why leadership teams underperform
Julie Humphreys
Partner · Exetor Group
Philipp Spannuth
Partner · Exetor Group
Vanessa Dietzel
Global Practitioner · Exetor Group
- Moderator
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Partner · KC Partners
Close session details: Smart people, slow decisions: Why leadership teams underperform
Hiring talented people doesn't automatically create a high-performing leadership team. This session explores how trust, constructive disagreement and shared accountability help teams make better decisions, move faster and deliver stronger results.
Talking points
- Constructive disagreement
- Faster decision-making
- Shared accountability
The investor readiness checklist
Mike Woodcock
CFO · The CFO Centre
- Moderator
Andrew Walker
Fractional COO · Q14.io
Close session details: The investor readiness checklist
Investment often begins long before the first pitch. A discussion on preparing businesses for investment conversations and understanding investor expectations.
Talking points
- Preparing for investment
- Building investor confidence
- Avoiding common mistakes
Breaking barriers: Women building businesses
Sharniya Ferdinand
Strategic Partnership Inclusion Lead · NatWest
Rosie Ginday MBE
Founder & CEO · Miss Macaroon
- Host
Darren Pirie
Head of Accelerator & Partnerships · NatWest
Close session details: Breaking barriers: Women building businesses
Female founders are building ambitious businesses across the UK, but starting and scaling a business comes with unique challenges and opportunities. This session explores the realities of female entrepreneurship through the experiences of Rosie Ginday MBE, alongside insights from NatWest's Accelerator team. It will examine how access to mentorship, expert guidance and strong business networks can help women overcome barriers, build confidence and accelerate growth, while creating more opportunities for the next generation of female founders.
Talking points
- Opportunities and challenges for female founders
- Building confidence through mentorship and networks
- Supporting the next generation of women entrepreneurs
Your website is your best salesperson
Jess Williams
Co-Founder & Director · Design in the Shires
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Your website is your best salesperson
Your website should be working for your business around the clock. Discover how to create an online presence that builds trust, generates enquiries and converts visitors into customers.
Talking points
- Understand what makes visitors take action
- Avoid common website mistakes that lose sales
- Explore how AI is transforming websites and digital marketing
AI that does the work: Three automations you can launch in 30 days
Ed Soltani
Founder · Smile IT Solutions
- Host
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: AI that does the work: Three automations you can launch in 30 days
Three practical AI automations built live on stage, tackling everyday workflows such as chasing invoices, answering repeat enquiries and preparing management reports. See what can be automated, how to choose where to start and how to put AI into practice without a technical team.
Talking points
- Choosing what to automate
- Building automation live
- 30-day rollout plan
Building a culture people want to join
Dave Stubberfield
Founder · Carter Consultancy
Andy Gallimore
Managing Director · culturev8te
Shelley Poole
Founder · Wellington HR
Joe Woodward
Co-Founder · Vizzy
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: Building a culture people want to join
Culture plays a critical role in attracting great people, retaining talent and shaping how teams perform. This session explores how entrepreneurs and leaders can intentionally define the culture they want to build, embed shared values into everyday behaviours and protect what makes their organisation distinctive as it grows.
Talking points
- Defining culture
- Maintaining culture through growth
- Aligning teams around values
Beyond the high street banks
Mike Dinnel
Structured Debt Adviser · Leonard Curtis
Miles Wallace
Director · The Commercial Branch
Paul Stokes
Founding Director · FlexABL
- Moderator
Lesley Thomas
Founder · The Money Confidence Academy
Close session details: Beyond the high street banks
The funding market has changed significantly. A discussion on the lending options available to growing businesses and how founders can navigate an increasingly diverse funding ecosystem.
Talking points
- Alternative lenders
- Challenger banks
- Specialist finance providers
Positioning your business for success
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Positioning your business for success
In a crowded market, being different matters. Learn how to identify your unique strengths and position your business in a way that resonates with customers and sets you apart from competitors.
Talking points
- Understand your market, competitors and customers
- Identify what makes your business distinctive
- Develop a compelling positioning statement
Fireside Interview: From elite sport to entrepreneurship
Thomas Robson-Kanu
Co-Founder · The Turmeric Co.
- Host
Georgie Day
Founder · 28X Journal
Close session details: Fireside Interview: From elite sport to entrepreneurship
The transition from professional sport to business requires a very different kind of performance. Thomas Robson-Kanu shares how his experience as an elite footballer shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, building a consumer brand and navigating the challenges of starting and growing a business.
Talking points
- Athlete to entrepreneur
- Building a consumer brand
- High-performance mindset
Becoming the obvious choice
Emma Easton
Managing Director · Business Bollox
Si Ellis
Founder · EllisJames
Kareem Raslan
Founder · BRAINGAIN
Whitney Williams
Founder · PR by Whitney Williams
- Moderator
Lucy Whittington
Founder · Inspired Business Marketing
Close session details: Becoming the obvious choice
Why do some businesses dominate attention while others compete on price? A discussion on positioning, category leadership and creating preference before a customer enters the buying process.
Talking points
- Owning a position in the market
- Escaping commoditisation
- Creating preference before the sales conversation begins
Keeping everyone moving in the same direction
Kate Smyth
Founder · Meraki People
Alex Evans
Director · Liberti
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Keeping everyone moving in the same direction
As businesses grow, communication becomes more complex and more important. A discussion on how entrepreneurs and leaders can keep teams aligned around shared goals, ensure the right information reaches the right people and maintain clarity as organisations expand.
Talking points
- Information flow
- Alignment
- Managing growing teams
The numbers that matter
Rashesh Joshi
Co-Founder & MD · Alexander Rosse
Paul Barnes
Founder · Cloud Accounting Support Services
Jennifer Raines
Founder · YRH Finance Team
- Moderator
Andrew Walker
Fractional COO · Q14.io
Close session details: The numbers that matter
Funders and investors often focus on a small number of critical metrics. A discussion on forecasting, financial planning and demonstrating growth potential.
Talking points
- Forecasting
- Cash flow management
- Financial visibility
What stops consumer brands from breaking through?
Nishant Sharma
Founder · Rutland Square
Wynter Karo
Co-Founder · Pimentae
Udhi Silva
Co-Founder · Scale3PL
Omid Moallemi
Founder · Prsnt
- Moderator
Alex Chisnall
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: What stops consumer brands from breaking through?
Many consumer brands achieve early success before growth becomes harder to sustain. Four founders share the challenges they faced as they scaled, from customer acquisition and brand positioning to operations, margins and repeat sales.
Talking points
- Customer acquisition
- Brand differentiation
- Scaling profitability
Growth on a budget: Winning customers without wasting money
Elinor Antippas
Operations Director · PXA
Alex Saxon
Managing Director · Tiny Spark
Ravi Agravat
Founder & Director · Berkfield
- Moderator
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: Growth on a budget: Winning customers without wasting money
Most growing businesses face resource constraints. A discussion on choosing the right channels, prioritising investment and generating demand efficiently.
Talking points
- Prioritising the right channels
- Maximising return on investment
- Doing more with limited resources
Backing yourself
Dasha Dollar-Smirnova
Director · Frog Talk
Kelly Hill
Founder · Invisible Load Reset
Whitney Williams
Founder · PR by Whitney Williams
Jacob Lockwood
Founder · Lockwood
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Backing yourself
Growth often requires founders to make bold decisions without having all the answers or knowing exactly how things will unfold. A discussion on how entrepreneurs can develop the confidence and self-belief needed to trust their judgement, overcome imposter syndrome and lead through uncertainty.
Talking points
- Imposter syndrome
- Backing your judgement
- Developing confidence as a leader
How should you fund your next stage of growth?
Daniel Carrico
Executive Director · First Enterprise
Gary Lennon
Co-Founder · BizBritain
Paul Stokes
Founding Director · FlexABL
- Moderator
Julie-Anna Needham
Founder & Director · Decibel Podcasts
Close session details: How should you fund your next stage of growth?
Growth often requires investment before the returns arrive. A discussion on the different ways businesses can finance expansion, how to choose the right type of funding and what founders should consider before taking on external capital.
Talking points
- Choosing the right finance
- Debt vs equity
- Funding sustainable growth
New to AI?: Where to start and where to invest
Ross Marshall
Director · Covered
Kosta Mavroulakis
Founder & CEO · Empact Ventures
Michael Boham
Founder · Skillsize
Sammy Verghese
Co-Founder · MUCKA
- Moderator
Trevor Jenkins
Co-Founder · NJC
Close session details: New to AI?: Where to start and where to invest
AI promises productivity gains across every part of a business, yet many founders remain uncertain where to begin. A discussion on identifying practical use cases, avoiding expensive distractions and prioritising investments that can deliver meaningful results.
Talking points
- Identifying the highest ROI use cases
- Avoiding costly mistakes and wasted investment
- Building confidence and capability across the team
Building the team around you
Yasmin Neves
Founder · Healthy HR
Chieu Cao
Founder & CEO · Mintago
Irina Gheorghiu
CEO & Co-Founder · ZIM
Jo Murphy
Managing Director · West Peak
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: Building the team around you
No founder can scale a business alone. A discussion on how entrepreneurs can build a strong leadership team around them, recognise when it is time to bring in senior expertise and create the trust needed to share responsibility effectively.
Talking points
- When to hire senior leaders
- Building trust
- Creating accountability
What makes a VC say yes?
Kevin Chong
Co-Founder · Outward
Martin Carruthers
Partner · Arāya Ventures
Stephen Windsor
Fund Principal · Mercia Asset Management
Daniel Gaize
Investment Associate · Future Planet Capital
- Moderator
Lesley Thomas
Founder · The Money Confidence Academy
Close session details: What makes a VC say yes?
Early-stage investors see hundreds of businesses competing for their attention, but only a small number secure investment. A panel of VCs explores what makes a business stand out, what investors look for in founders and opportunities, and what ultimately turns interest into an investment decision.
Talking points
- What investors look for
- Valuation & traction
- Getting investment-ready
Fireside Interview: How Richard Harpin built HomeServe
Sir Richard Harpin
Founder · HomeServe
- Host
Alex Chisnall
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: Fireside Interview: How Richard Harpin built HomeServe
Building a business from start-up to international success requires difficult decisions at every stage. Richard Harpin reflects on the choices, setbacks and leadership lessons that shaped HomeServe's growth over more than three decades.
Talking points
- Scaling the business
- Leadership evolution
- Long-term thinking
Trust as a competitive advantage
Christopher Wolf
Co-Founder · rePACT
Anna Bright
Chief Executive · Sustainability West Midlands
Whitney Williams
Founder · PR by Whitney Williams
Graham Todd
Director · Spaghetti Agency
- Moderator
Lucy Whittington
Founder · Inspired Business Marketing
Close session details: Trust as a competitive advantage
Trust influences every buying decision. A discussion on reputation, authority and credibility, and how businesses can use trust to strengthen customer relationships and outperform competitors.
Talking points
- Building credibility in the market
- Establishing authority within a sector
- Creating communities around trust
Bringing people with you
Daniel Anderson-Tuffnell
CEO · Business Mindsets
Rosie Coxshaw
Co-Founder · Funky Dory
Stephen Holmes
SME Sales Director · Partners&
Sasha Kenney
Entrepreneurship Coordinator · Wrexham University
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: Bringing people with you
Growth creates change, and change can often bring uncertainty, resistance and disruption. A discussion on how entrepreneurs and leaders can guide their organisations through periods of transformation while keeping people engaged, aligned and focused on the bigger picture.
Talking points
- Managing transformation
- Leading during uncertainty
- Bringing teams through change
Why the most successful entrepreneurs have mentors
Gary King
Chief Partnerships & Commercial Officer · ABM
- Moderator
Julie-Anna Needham
Founder & Director · Decibel Podcasts
Close session details: Why the most successful entrepreneurs have mentors
Smart entrepreneurs don’t go it alone. Discover how having the right business mentor can help you make better decisions, accelerate growth, boost profits and reduce stress, unlocking greater success for both you and your business.
Talking points
- Turn on screen reader support
- Accelerating growth and improving profitability
- Reducing stress through mentoring support
Going global: How to build an international business
Kareem Raslan
Founder · BRAINGAIN
Udhi Silva
Co-Founder · Scale3PL
Jake Seal
Founder · Black Hangar Studios
Alla Ouvarova
Co-Founder · Two Chicks
- Moderator
Lawrence Bennett
UK Country Manager · WorldFirst
Close session details: Going global: How to build an international business
International expansion can open significant new opportunities for growing businesses, but succeeding in new markets brings different challenges. Founders who have taken their businesses overseas share what they learned, alongside WorldFirst's perspective on navigating the practical and financial realities of international growth.
Talking points
- Choosing the right markets
- Scaling across borders
- Managing international finance
Turning expertise into customers
Anthony Smith
Founder · StoryGRAIN
Matthew Hughes
Founder · King of Video
Caroline Jones
Content Strategist · Purpose Media
Olli Smith
Founder · Solus
- Moderator
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: Turning expertise into customers
Content can establish authority, build trust and create demand when used effectively. A discussion on creating content that attracts attention and supports business growth.
Talking points
- Building authority through content
- Choosing the right formats and channels
- Converting attention into opportunity
Insurance masterclass: Are you paying more than you should?
Stephen Holmes
SME Sales Director · Partners&
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Insurance masterclass: Are you paying more than you should?
Insurance is an essential business expense, but many companies pay more than necessary or carry cover that no longer reflects their needs. A practical masterclass on reducing premiums, avoiding unnecessary costs and ensuring your business has the right protection.
Talking points
- Reducing insurance premiums
- Reviewing existing cover
- Avoiding costly mistakes
Fireside Interview: How Grenade became one of Britain's fastest-growing brands
Juliet Barratt
Founder · Grenade
- Host
Pete Cohen
Motivational Speaker · Stop2Think
Close session details: Fireside Interview: How Grenade became one of Britain's fastest-growing brands
Great brands are built by design, not by chance. Juliet Barratt shares how Grenade created a distinctive brand, built customer loyalty and scaled from challenger to one of Britain's fastest-growing consumer brands.
Talking points
- Brand positioning
- Customer loyalty
- Scaling the brand
Competitive advantage in the age of AI
Kosta Mavroulakis
Founder & CEO · Empact Ventures
Mark Shevill
Founder · Nexus 360
- Moderator
Trevor Jenkins
Co-Founder · NJC
Close session details: Competitive advantage in the age of AI
As AI adoption accelerates, the gap between businesses that embrace it and those that ignore it may widen. A discussion on where competitive advantage is emerging and how founders should prepare.
Talking points
- Where competitive advantage is emerging
- Risks of standing still
- Opportunities for smaller businesses
The Republic of Somaliland: International Partnerships in Trade, Health & Community Development
Dr Edna Adan Ismail
Honorary Global Patron · Allies Network
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: The Republic of Somaliland: International Partnerships in Trade, Health & Community Development
Explore opportunities for UK businesses to collaborate with Somaliland across trade, resources, talent, healthcare and education. Dr Edna Adan Ismail will discuss Somaliland’s development priorities, while Allies Network will share how community engagement and training can strengthen connections, develop skills and support mutually beneficial partnerships.
Talking points
- Trade, resources and talent opportunities for UK businesses
- Partnerships in healthcare, education and skills development
- Training and connections with the Somaliland community in the UK
Wednesday 4 November
Sessions in time order · All times GMT
What breaks as your business grows?
Roei Samuel
CEO & Founder · Connectd
Raj Thiruchelvarajah
Co-Founder & CEO · Hytro
Calypso Rose
Founder · Offscript
Alla Ouvarova
Co-Founder · Two Chicks
- Moderator
Alex Chisnall
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: What breaks as your business grows?
Growth creates opportunity, but it also exposes weaknesses in leadership, systems and decision making. Founders share the challenges that emerged as their businesses scaled, and the changes they made to keep growth on track.
Talking points
- Leadership challenges
- Growth bottlenecks
- Building for scale
If your systems went down tomorrow, what would happen?
Mark Fletcher
Co-Founder · viendo
Daniel Skeggs
Co-Founder & CEO · CurveTech
Andrew Hulbert
Founder & CEO · Pareto
- Moderator
Trevor Jenkins
Co-Founder · NJC
Close session details: If your systems went down tomorrow, what would happen?
Cyber attacks, ransomware and system failures can bring a business to a standstill. A discussion on reducing cyber risk, strengthening resilience and ensuring businesses can recover quickly when the unexpected happens.
Talking points
- Why SMEs are increasingly being targeted
- Building resilience before an incident occurs
- Recovering quickly while protecting customers
Expanding beyond your comfort zone
John Auckland
Co-Founder & CEO · Seafields
Shiv Shivakumar
Founder · OMNI
Niki Avraam
Founder · nav workforce
Emma Easton
Managing Director · Business Bollox
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Expanding beyond your comfort zone
Expansion can unlock significant new opportunities, but moving into unfamiliar markets also brings new challenges and risks. A discussion how entrepreneurs can recognise when their business is ready to expand, identify the right markets and opportunities, and approach growth with a clear understanding of the potential risks.
Talking points
- Timing expansion
- Market selection
- Managing risk
Protecting the assets that make your business valuable
Rebecca Atkins
Partner · Abel + Imray
Kate Butler
Director · Sirius
Jarmila Yu
Founder · YUnique Marketing Ltd
- Moderator
Andrew Walker
Fractional COO · Q14.io
Close session details: Protecting the assets that make your business valuable
For many businesses, intellectual property is one of their most valuable assets, yet it is often overlooked until it's too late. A discussion on protecting brands, ideas and innovation, and why IP matters when raising investment, expanding or preparing for exit.
Talking points
- Trade marks & IP
- Building business value
- Investment & exit
Marketing without the mega-budget
Jess Williams
Co-Founder & Director · Design in the Shires
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Marketing without the mega-budget
Successful marketing isn't about spending more money, it's about making smarter decisions. Discover practical ways to increase visibility, attract customers and grow your brand without breaking the bank.
Talking points
- Understand the role of websites and social media
- Improve your online visibility and reach
- Identify today's biggest digital growth opportunities
Creating sustainable competitive advantage
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Creating sustainable competitive advantage
Long-term success comes from creating value that competitors can't easily replicate. This workshop explores how businesses can build stronger customer relationships, protect their position and create lasting differentiation.
Talking points
- Identify the strengths that set your business apart
- Create value that is difficult for competitors to copy
- Build long-term customer loyalty and reputation
Building an AI-enabled business
Stuart Black
Managing Director · ERGOS
Mark Cousens
Senior Project Consultant · Harmeston Consulting
Chris Dean
Managing Director · Digital Tactics
Ed Soltani
Founder · Smile IT Solutions
- Moderator
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: Building an AI-enabled business
AI is beginning to reshape how businesses operate. A discussion on integrating AI into workflows, improving decision-making and creating organisations that can adapt as technology evolves.
Talking points
- Redesigning workflows around AI
- Balancing automation with human expertise
- Building an organisation that can adapt
Winning the battle for talent
David Casson
Co-Founder · My Benefits World
Ben Birchall
Fractional People Director · People Puzzles
Chieu Cao
Founder & CEO · Mintago
Andrew Hulbert
Founder & CEO · Pareto
- Moderator
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Partner · KC Partners
Close session details: Winning the battle for talent
Attracting and retaining talented people remains one of the biggest challenges facing growing businesses. A discussion on how entrepreneurs and leaders can compete for the right people, build a strong employer reputation and create an environment where high performers want to stay.
Talking points
- Timing expansion
- Market selection
- Managing risk
Getting the money to grow: What makes a business worth backing?
Anthony Impey MBE
Chief Executive · Be the Business
- Moderator
Julie-Anna Needham
Founder & Director · Decibel Podcasts
Close session details: Getting the money to grow: What makes a business worth backing?
Ambition alone won’t secure the money to grow. What gives a lender or investor confidence that your business can deliver? Drawing on Be the Business’s work with SMEs, this talk explores what leaders can do differently to strengthen their business and their case for funding.
Talking points
- Understand what’s holding funding back
- Build a business others can back
- Show how investment will improve performance
Fireside Interview: Building a brand that breaks through
Andrew Salter
Founder & CMO · DIRTEA
- Host
Jo Dalton
Founder · JD&Co
Close session details: Fireside Interview: Building a brand that breaks through
Building a standout brand in a competitive market takes more than a great product. In this fireside interview, Andrew Salter shares the journey behind DIRTEA, from challenging traditional drinks categories to building a fast- growing consumer brand with a loyal following. He explores the decisions that helped the business gain traction, expand into national retail and pursue international growth, alongside lessons on brand positioning, customer loyalty and turning an ambitious idea into a scalable business.
Talking points
- Building a distinctive brand in a crowded market
- Turning customer loyalty into commercial growth
- Scaling from startup to national and international markets
Turning customer experience into competitive advantage
Jeevan Punj
Founder & Director · Elite Hampers
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Turning customer experience into competitive advantage
Great customer experiences can become one of your most powerful competitive advantages. Learn how to build loyalty, exceed expectations and turn customers into advocates for your business.
Talking points
- Create memorable customer experiences
- Build stronger customer loyalty
- Recover effectively when things go wrong
Paid versus organic: Where should founders invest?
Blake Sweeting
Managing Director · BlakeMark Digital
Aaron Knightley
Co-Founder · ExitNine.ai
Luke Brown
Founder & CEO · &Element
Andrew Hulbert
Founder & CEO · Pareto
- Moderator
Trevor Jenkins
Co-Founder · NJC
Close session details: Paid versus organic: Where should founders invest?
Businesses face more choices than ever when it comes to customer acquisition. A discussion on balancing paid and organic channels and deciding where resources are best deployed.
Talking points
- Where paid channels make sense
- The role of organic growth
- Balancing short-term and long-term results
Turning plans into results
Lynda Goncalves
Managing Director · 3HR4Business
Frederick Afrifa
Co-Founder · Leadership Communication Group
Raj Thiruchelvarajah
Co-Founder & CEO · Hytro
Niki Avraam
Founder · nav workforce
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: Turning plans into results
Growth requires more than a strong strategy. A discussion on how entrepreneurs and leaders can turn ideas and plans into meaningful action by creating clear ownership, strengthening accountability and building a culture of consistent follow-through. This session looks at what separates businesses that simply make plans from those that execute effectively and deliver measurable results.
Talking points
- Ownership
- Follow-through
- Creating accountability
Funding growth in the Midlands
David Tindall
Senior Investment Manager · British Business Bank
Daniel Carrico
Executive Director · First Enterprise
Ray Harris
Managing Director · Foresight
Rupert Lyle
Investment Director · Future Planet Capital
- Moderator
Lesley Thomas
Founder · The Money Confidence Academy
Close session details: Funding growth in the Midlands
The Midlands has a growing ecosystem of funds, investors and business support designed to help businesses scale. This panel explores where the opportunities are, how to access them and what funders are looking for from businesses seeking growth capital.
Talking points
- Revenue-based finance
- Asset finance
- Specialist funding solutions
Where AI is already driving revenue inside growing businesses
Piers Linney MBE
Co-Founder · Implement AI
- Host
James Ashwood
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: Where AI is already driving revenue inside growing businesses
Many businesses are using AI to improve productivity, but the biggest opportunity may be revenue growth. A discussion on how founders are using AI to increase sales, improve customer experience and create competitive advantage.
Talking points
- Winning more customers
- Doing more with AI
- Commercial advantage
Overcoming the challenges to growth
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Overcoming the challenges to growth
Every growing business faces obstacles that can limit progress and performance. This practical session helps leaders identify their biggest barriers and develop effective strategies to overcome them.
Talking points
- Identify the challenges affecting growth
- Prioritise the issues creating the greatest risk
- Develop practical solutions and actions
Building your own delivery business with Amazon
Nicola Burkill
Head of UKIE Delivery Partner Managers · Amazon
Tim Kenworthy
Founder · TK Prime Ltd
- Host
Lucy Whittington
Founder · Inspired Business Marketing
Close session details: Building your own delivery business with Amazon
How can Amazon’s technology and support help you become a logistics entrepreneur? Nicola Burkill introduces the Delivery Service Partner programme and explores how it supports independent business owners, from getting started to managing day-to-day operations and growing their teams. Joined by Tim Kenworthy, owner of TK Prime, she brings together Amazon’s perspective and first-hand experience of building a delivery business in partnership with Amazon.
Talking points
- The opportunity to own and run a delivery business
- Technology and operational support from Amazon
- Building a team and growing an independent business
The risks worth taking
Katie Keith
Founder · Invarah House
Orla Bance
Managing Director · CCR3 Academy
Calypso Rose
Founder · Offscript
Stephen Holmes
SME Sales Director · Partners&
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: The risks worth taking
Growth often requires entrepreneurs to make difficult choices and take calculated risks without knowing exactly how things will unfold. This session explores how founders can balance ambition with careful judgement, recognise when an opportunity is worth pursuing and develop the confidence to commit when the time is right.
Talking points
- Knowing when to take risks
- Balancing growth and caution
- Avoiding paralysis
Finding the right funding for your next stage of growth
Dave Furnival
Head of Broker & Business Development · NatWest
Martin Brassell
CEO & Co-Founder · Inngot
Amal Osman
Innovation Lead · Innovate UK
- Moderator
Chris Blues
Acceleration Community Manager · NatWest
Close session details: Finding the right funding for your next stage of growth
There’s more than one way to fund growth. Hear from experts across lending, investment, intellectual property (IP) in business finance on navigating your options, becoming funding-ready and finding the right finance for your next business move.
Talking points
- Exploring lending, investment and IP finance options
- Understanding what lenders and investors look for
- Choosing the right funding for your growth stage
Stop working harder, start working smarter
Dave Stubberfield
Founder · Carter Consultancy
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Stop working harder, start working smarter
Many business owners spend too much time working in their business rather than on it. Dave shares practical approaches to improving productivity, creating efficiencies and preparing businesses for scalable growth.
Talking points
- Identify where time and effort are being wasted
- Implement small improvements with a big impact
- Create systems that support future growth
From strategy to stage: Building a founder brand that scales
Louise Truman
Founder & Director · Plotpackers
Liam Miller
Founder · Shot Social
Alice Benham
Founder · On Paper
Molly Parker
Founder · Molly Parker Voice Coach
- Moderator
Grace Miller
Head of Experimentation · Flight Story Studio
Close session details: From strategy to stage: Building a founder brand that scales
A strong founder brand is about more than visibility. It requires clarity on what you stand for, the confidence to communicate it and a strategy that turns attention into business growth. A discussion on building an authentic founder brand, creating content that connects and using your voice and platform to scale your influence and your business.
Talking points
- Defining your authentic founder brand
- Turning expertise into trusted content
- Converting visibility into business growth
Start, scale and sustain innovation in the Midlands
Bruce Colley
Founder · BAJC Consulting
Josh Hawkins
Assistant Director · Midlands Innovation
Pete Le Noury
COO · EkkoSense
Laura Bond
Investor/Director · University of Nottingham Innovation Park
- Moderator
Alice Cooper-Reeve
CEO · University of Nottingham Innovation Park
Close session details: Start, scale and sustain innovation in the Midlands
Innovation across the Midlands is thriving. A discussion with those building, scaling and supporting innovative businesses across the region on the opportunities ahead and what is needed to strengthen the Midlands as a centre for innovation.
Talking points
- Regional ambition
- Scaling innovation
- Support ecosystem
What high-performing teams do differently
Louise Lithgow-Dicker
Director · Go HR
Andy Gallimore
Managing Director · culturev8te
Simon Jeffries
Founder · The Natural Edge
Philipp Spannuth
Partner · Exetor Group
- Moderator
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Partner · KC Partners
Close session details: What high-performing teams do differently
Strong teams rarely happen by chance. A discussion on what separates high-performing teams from those that simply work together, from setting clear expectations and building effective team dynamics to creating an environment where people can perform at their best.
Talking points
- Team dynamics
- Performance expectations
- Diversity
It’s not all about the money: What are you really building?
Dr Dev Ahuja
Co-Founder · RTW
Charlie Tanner
Founder · Ascend
Andrew Rohrer
Founder & Director · The Exit Advisor
Kate Smyth
Founder · Meraki People
- Moderator
Gary Lennon
Co-Founder · BizBritain
Close session details: It’s not all about the money: What are you really building?
Growth and exit are often measured by revenue, valuation and the eventual sale price, but those numbers are only part of the story. A discussion on defining what success really looks like and building a business that creates the outcomes you want for yourself, your family and the people who helped build it.
Talking points
- Defining success
- Founder & family goals
- Rewarding the wider team
Your next 90 days
Mike Harris
Managing Director · Strategus Consulting
- Host
Pixie Greatorex
Business Owner · Speed Dating Shropshire
Close session details: Your next 90 days
Ideas only create value when they are put into action. This closing session will help attendees prioritise opportunities, commit to the right actions and leave with a clear plan for the next 90 days.
Talking points
- Identify your three biggest growth opportunities
- Prioritise the actions that will have the greatest impact
- Create an accountability plan for delivery
How technology is changing the way businesses scale
Boris Diakonov
Co-Founder & Co-CEO · ANNA
Aaron Knightley
Co-Founder · ExitNine.ai
Kim Antoniou
Founder & CEO · Auris
Piers Linney MBE
Co-Founder · Implement AI
- Moderator
Alex Chisnall
Co-Founder · Festival of Entrepreneurs
Close session details: How technology is changing the way businesses scale
Technology is giving growing businesses the ability to move faster, operate more efficiently and compete in ways that were previously only possible for much larger companies. Entrepreneurs and business leaders discuss how technology is changing the economics of growth and creating new opportunities to scale.
Talking points
- Technology as a growth engine
- Scaling productivity
- Competing through innovation
The challenges growth creates
Sunny Pahal
Director · Dare to Succeed
Darren O'Reilly
Founder · Whole Supp
Philipp Spannuth
Partner · Exetor Group
Benjamin Wade
Founder & CEO · West Peak
- Moderator
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Close session details: The challenges growth creates
Growth can create as many challenges as opportunities, placing increasing pressure on the systems, structures and leadership that supported the business at an earlier stage. A discussion on how entrepreneurs can recognise when growth is exposing weaknesses or creating bottlenecks, identify what needs to change and adapt before those pressures begin to limit progress.
Talking points
- Recognising growth bottlenecks
- Knowing what needs to change
- Rebuilding for the next stage of growth
Building a business someone will want to buy
Joe Brouder
Managing Director · Vale Brewery
Leigh Wells
Founder · The Founders Exit
David Parry
Founder & CEO · SMARTBRG
Laura Tutt
Founder · The Affable Partnership Ltd
- Moderator
Gary Lennon
Co-Founder · BizBritain
Close session details: Building a business someone will want to buy
A successful exit starts long before a buyer appears. A discussion on the decisions that increase business value, reduce dependency on the founder and make a company more attractive to potential acquirers.
Talking points
- Increasing business value
- Reducing founder dependency
- Preparing for due diligence
Give customers a reason to come back
Sonya Whittam
Co-Founder · Story22
Julie Firth
Co-Founder · Story22
- Host
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: Give customers a reason to come back
Winning a customer is only the beginning. This session explores how businesses can identify and fix the customer experience gaps that damage trust, reduce repeat business and limit referrals. It will examine the moments that shape how customers perceive a business, how to close the gap between what marketing promises and what customers actually experience, and how to empower teams to respond effectively when things go wrong.
Talking points
- Identifying customer experience gaps
- Turning customer trust into repeat business
- Empowering teams to improve the customer experience
Building a business that performs without you
Cathy Busani
CEO · Happy
Andrew Low
Director · Redstone Search
John Auckland
Co-Founder & CEO · Seafields
James Martin
Founder · Entrepreneur Conversations
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Building a business that performs without you
Building a high-performing business means creating an organisation that can operate effectively without relying on the founder’s constant involvement. A discussion on how entrepreneurs can put the right management systems, operating rhythms and performance measures in place to create greater consistency and accountability across the business.
Talking points
- Management systems
- Operating rhythms
- Performance measurement
Can you acquire your way to faster growth?
Guy Bartlett
CEO · Fidelis Advisory
Ronak Kantaria
Executive Chair & CEO · Kantaria.Capital
James Oates
Partner & CFO · Balmoral Partners
Jarmila Yu
Founder · YUnique Marketing Ltd
- Moderator
Gary Lennon
Co-Founder · BizBritain
Close session details: Can you acquire your way to faster growth?
Acquisitions can accelerate growth, add capability and open new markets, but getting the wrong deal can destroy value. A discussion on finding the right opportunities, funding acquisitions and successfully integrating another business.
Talking points
- Finding acquisition targets
- Funding the deal
- Post-deal integration
What happens after The Apprentice: Turning visibility into a real business
Mia Collins
Founder · Prep and Perform
Frederick Afrifa
Co-Founder · Leadership Communication Group
- Moderator
Georgie Day
Founder · 28X Journal
Close session details: What happens after The Apprentice: Turning visibility into a real business
Media exposure can create opportunity, but it doesn't guarantee long-term success. Former The Apprentice finalists share how they turned visibility into commercial growth, built credibility and created businesses that outlasted the headlines.
Talking points
- Commercial growth
- Building credibility
- Founder visibility
Scaling customer acquisition
Aaron Knightley
Co-Founder · ExitNine.ai
Blake Sweeting
Managing Director · BlakeMark Digital
Jacob Lockwood
Founder · Lockwood
Sonya Whittam
Co-Founder · Story22
- Moderator
Lucy Whittington
Founder · Inspired Business Marketing
Close session details: Scaling customer acquisition
What works at £500k turnover often breaks at £5m. A discussion on scaling acquisition, maintaining efficiency and building sustainable growth systems.
Talking points
- Knowing when to scale
- Maintaining conversion quality
- Building sustainable growth systems
Hiring before you are ready
Niki Avraam
Founder · nav workforce
Raj Thiruchelvarajah
Co-Founder & CEO · Hytro
Melissa Curran
Director · Emotioneering
Andrew Hulbert
Founder & CEO · Pareto
- Moderator
Jeannette Linfoot
Founder · Brave Bold Brilliant
Close session details: Hiring before you are ready
The right hire can accelerate growth, while the wrong one can create costly setbacks. This session explores how entrepreneurs can identify the roles and capabilities their business will need before growth creates an urgent demand for them. It will examine how to recognise gaps within existing teams, decide when to hire ahead of immediate need and balance the cost of bringing in talent early against the risks of waiting too long.
Talking points
- Identifying critical hires
- Hiring ahead of demand
- Avoiding expensive mistakes
What really happens when you sell your business?
Dan Bradbury
Founder & CEO · Ideal Exit
Dan Silverston
Founder · The Soho Sandwich Co.
Charlie Norton
Founder · TrueValue
Natalie Knight-Wickens
Partner · Spencer West
- Moderator
Gary Lennon
Co-Founder · BizBritain
Close session details: What really happens when you sell your business?
Selling a business is often the biggest transaction a founder will ever undertake. A discussion on valuation, finding the right buyer, negotiating the deal and navigating the process from first approach through to completion.
Talking points
- Valuation & timing
- Finding the right buyer
- Negotiating the deal
[Workshop] From expertise to influence: Social media that drives growth
Kati Noakes
Founder · KN Comms
- Host
Marvin Reid
Founder · Volume 2
Close session details: [Workshop] From expertise to influence: Social media that drives growth
Many experienced founders remain the best-kept secret in their industry. A practical session on using social media, video and AI to communicate expertise, build trust and turn visibility into commercial opportunity.
Talking points
- Building authority
- Increasing visibility
- Turning attention into growth
What separates founders who thrive from those who burn out?
Laura Fullerton
Founder & CEO · monk
Kirk Miller
Founder · Built to Last
Simon Jeffries
Founder · The Natural Edge
Aaron Knightley
Co-Founder · ExitNine.ai
- Moderator
Pete Cohen
Motivational Speaker · Stop2Think
Close session details: What separates founders who thrive from those who burn out?
Building a successful business demands sustained performance over many years, not just moments of intensity. Elite performers from business, sport and the military share the habits, mindset and leadership principles that help them perform under pressure without losing momentum.
Talking points
- Elite performance
- Mental resilience
- Sustained success
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