Countdown to start of fifth Leicester Business Festival

The 2019 Leicester Business Festival gets underway on 28 October at the striking new Great Central Square development on Vaughan Way.

Headline partnered by Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University (DMU), the Business Festival, comprises a total of 115 events that will be staged by different organisations across the fortnight.

Events are varied with different subjects, targeting a wide range of audiences from students and start-up businesses to employees in large corporate firms. Most events are completely free and anyone can attend.

There is a wide range of events to support businesses covering essential subjects such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, creating sales, marketing and business plans, understanding consumer behaviour, LEAN business processes, HR and recruitment and so much more.

East Midlands Chamber is the biggest business-representation organisation in the Midlands. It is running three digital support events as part of its Digital Growth Programme. The events in Wigston on 31 October, Melton on 6 November and Leicester on 8 November will outline how firms can tap into financial help and free one-to-one business advice when introducing new digital technology into their business.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the East Midlands Chamber said, “The Leicester Business Festival is an essential platform to showcase the services and products that can aid business development, to the world-class innovative and creative businesses within Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Other local support organisations include the Business Gateway Growth Hub – a free and impartial resource that provides expert support and advice, diagnostic services, networking opportunities and signposting for all businesses, particularly those looking to grow and increase their productivity.

The Growth Hub is staging is a ‘Meet the Funders’ expo at Leicester Racecourse on Tuesday 29 October, where businesses can hear about various current funding offers and free support available.

Helen Miller, manager of the Business Gateway Growth Hub said, “The Business Gateway Growth Hub offers free 1:1 Business Adviser appointments, high growth and investor readiness programmes, workshops and events as well as capital investment grants. Our dedicated team is here to help businesses access the help they need with a wide range of knowledge and expertise at their fingertips.

“The Leicester Business Festival is a great platform to find out about all the different forms of business support available, to help businesses reach their full potential.”

Jennifer Thomas, regional development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses said, “For small businesses to compete, grow and stay current they need support. But the business support landscape can be complex and difficult for SMEs to understand and access. We believe a coordinated, targeted approach to business support will result in better services and consequently more energised and high-performing small businesses and LBF is a perfect example of this being done well!”

Tickets to all events are available via the Business Festival website www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com

The LBF headline partnered by Leicester Castle Business School. Partners are East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Airport, LLEP Business Gateway and sponsors are Brewin Dolphin, Pattersons Commercial Law, FSB, Shakespeare Martineau and Eileen Richards Recruitment. The Festival is also supported by Everards Brewery, Harborough District Council, Bradgate Estates, Team Leicester, Highcross Leicester, Business Central, Growth Partners, Mindera and the Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards.

For tickets, events or more information visit the website www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com