The day will highlight key success stories of companies who have grown their business and know the challenges SMEs face providing insights on how to succeed.

Keynote Speakers: David Maclean, CEO, Packt Publishing

Packt Publishing was founded in 2004 in Birmingham, UK, Packt’s mission is to help the world put software to work in new ways, through the delivery of effective learning and information services to IT professionals.

Working towards that vision, we have published nearly 4000 books and videos so far, providing IT professionals with the actionable knowledge they need to get the job done –whether that’s specific learning on an emerging technology or optimizing key skills in more established tools.

As part of our mission, we have also awarded over $1,000,000 through our Open Source Project Royalty scheme, helping numerous projects become household names along the way.

Keynote Speakers: Andy Street, Former MD John Lewis Partnership

Former MD John Lewis Partnership, Andy is now West Midlands Mayor candidate.

Andy has spent his career at the John Lewis Partnership, joining after graduating from Oxford with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 1985. Andy became Managing Director of the John Lewis Division in 2007 and has led the business through times of significant change in both the economy and the retail industry at large.

During this time, John Lewis’s gross sales increased in excess of 50% to over £4bn. It has opened 18 new shops, and the johnlewis.com business has seen annual sales of over £1bn making the department store one of the UK’s most respected and successful retailers.

After initial roles in department stores, head office and manufacturing units, Andy became Managing Director of John Lewis Milton Keynes in 1993, followed by the same role at Bluewater in 1998. In 2000 he became Supply Chain Director, followed by his appointment to the Partnership Board as Director of Personnel in 2002. In 2014, Andy was named the ‘Most Admired Leader’ of the year by business magazine, Management Today.

In June 2015 he was awarded a CBE for services to the economy, in his roles as managing director of John Lewis and as Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.”

About the Event

Delegates will hear from inspirational speakers, see a live pitching competition, hear from a panel of experts and have the opportunity to attend a range of case study led educational seminars including Crowd funding, Pitching, and Growth Finance for early stage businesses.

This event will be of valuable experience to entrepreneurs, as they get the chance to learn from a wide range of experts and build a network that can help fuel their high-potential growth for years to come.

It will also be a great chance for individuals to meet entrepreneurs and potentially create mentoring links with those who catch their eye.  Entrepreneurs from a wide range of exciting businesses in many different industries can learn from those who have been successful in growing businesses – there is bound to be an opportunity to get involved with these start-up and high growth businesses.

In addition to learning from our keynote speakers, delegates will have the opportunity to quiz a panel, influencers from the Scotland Business Eco System on all things business including finance, leadership and building teams.

As part of the programme, we also have an interactive pitching competition for 5 of Scotland’s best entrepreneurs, with a chance to win ‘money can’t buy prizes’ donated by out corporate partners. The audience will become the judge for the day and decide their winner by text voting.

You will see the eco system in action in the exhibition and networking area over the breaks and lunch – you will have the opportunity to learn about the support available for start up and growing businesses as well as help entrepreneurs validate their products and services!

Venue: iCentrum, Innovation Birmingham Campus, Innovation Birmingham Campus, iCentrum, Holt Street, Birmingham, B7 4BP

FREE to attend

You can register to attend here