Please note this is the conference agenda for last years 2021 event. The conference agenda for 2022 will be updated here very soon.
9.15am
OLI BARRETT
Opening remarks by the event host.
HANNAH PREVETT
Co-host
Voted as one of GQ’s Most Connected Men, Oli is often referred to as the hardest-working man in networking and even earned an MBE for his business activities. A serial co-founder, Oli has helped to start numerous ventures, facing every challenge you have.
Commercial Business and Technology Editor at News UK and a regular feature writer for The Times, Sunday Times. Hannah is also the host for the The Times CEO Summit and Launch Editor of Elite Business.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS GROWTH
9.30am
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: PIERS LINNEY
Although often referred to as an entrepreneur and a TV personality following his appearances as an investor on the prime-time BBC show ‘Dragons’ Den’ and the Channel 4 series, ‘The Secret Millionaire’, Piers also has an impressive professional background in law, investment banking and fund management.
10.00am
PANEL: Opportunity in adversity: the importance of mindset in a challenging climate
The last twelve months have been full of uncertainty, and the challenges to business aren’t over. But that doesn’t mean you need to put your growth plans on hold. Our panel discuss their experiences of growing a business during a downturn and seeing opportunities in unlikely places.
- Managing mindset: the importance of optimism and drive
- Growth strategies: steering your business in a difficult climate
- Mitigating commercial risk
- Sales and marketing: how to maximise impact of outreach
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
10.55am
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MICHELLE OVENS CBE
Founder of Small Business Britain, championing the U.K.’s small businesses. She also works closely in advising both government and the private sector on small business policy and engagement, and is a regular presence in the national media. Michelle was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours 2021 for Services to Small Business and Entrepreneurs.
11.25am
PANEL: Hype vs Reality: discovering the real digital opportunities for businesses
Digital transformation is no longer a differentiator – it’s a must-have for every business. But every digital journey is different, so how can you make sure you’re taking the right steps for your business objectives? Our panellists look at the vast landscape of digital transformation, exploring emerging technologies and must- have digital offerings.
Believe the hype: how new technology is really transforming business operations
Acting with agility: how to adapt to customers’ evolving digital demands
Fad or failsafe: choosing the right digital transformation journey for you
TALENT AND REGULATIONS
12.05pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: SUNNY DHAMI
Senior Director, EMEA Product Marketing & GTM for RingCentral, the leader in cloud communication solutions and is responsible for driving and delivering the messaging strategy, GTM, and positioning across the EMEA business and strategic partners.
12.35pm
PANEL: Workforce expectations are changing: how to adapt to the new normal
The last year has brought enormous upheaval to the UK’s workforce, with a permanent increase in flexible working and a rising focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Here, our panel look at how businesses are adjusting to this new climate, from the logistical challenges of managing remote work to the shifting expectations around employee welfare.
Wellbeing and mental health in the workplace: a new perspective
Managing communication: engagement and productivity alongside flexible working
The generation gap: understanding what drives different age groups
Keeping talent: rewards and perks in the workplace
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
2.05pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: SYMMIE SWIL
Symmie Swil, Head of SME Banking, Starling Bank, Symmie is passionate about empowering small businesses and a diverse range of entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential with easier and fairer access to financial services.
2.35pm
PANEL: Reality check: getting money into your business when you need it
Whether your business is back in growth mode, or still weathering the economic storm, finding the right source of finance for your needs is crucial. But with so many options available, how can you make sure you’re making the right decisions for the long-term financial health of your business? In this session, our panel talk us through the options and the factors that influenced their decisions – and the challenge to businesses in the here and now.
Thinking creatively about finance
Decision making: making the right choice
Financial health: short-term solutions vs long-term goals
Bounce-back loans: what next?
OVERSEAS EXPANSION
3.30pm
Keynote speaker: CARL STEPHEN PATRICK HUNTER OBE
CEO and Managing Director of Coltraco, recently awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade and an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019.
4.00pm
PANEL: Boots on the ground or eye in the sky?
Is it always necessary to have a physical presence in the region you’re expanding into? Our panellists unpick the old advice that a successful overseas expansion needs boots on the ground to work, and the opportunities now available to business to manage their international expansion differently.
Growing your business without a global workforce
Planning vs responding to opportunity
Pros and cons of expanding through third-party partnerships
Global trade and the digital economy
9.15am
OLI BARRETT
Opening remarks by the event host.
HANNAH PREVETT
Co-host.
Voted as one of GQ’s Most Connected Men, Oli is often referred to as the hardest-working man in networking and even earned an MBE for his business activities. A serial co-founder, Oli has helped to started numerous ventures, facing every challenge you have.
Commercial Business and Technology Editor at News UK and a regular feature writer for The Times, Sunday Times. Hannah is also the host for the The Times CEO Summit and Launch Editor of Elite Business.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS GROWTH
9.30am
Keynote speaker: LARA MORGAN
A British entrepreneur who founded her first business, Pacific Direct, in 1991 at just 23, and has since maintained an impressive track record of delivering exceptional accelerated growth. Her investment strategy in wellbeing products primarily is pinned to improving life’s journey.
10.00am
PANEL: Planning and reacting: going for growth in a changing world
It’s not an easy time to grow a business, but the opportunities are there for entrepreneurs who are ready to take them. Here, our panel share their stories of adaptation and resilience – from reacting to challenges to maintaining ambitious growth plans in adversity – and how it is possible to be a force for good in a tough climate.
All change: what to do when your commercial growth strategy hits a roadblock
Adapt to evolve: how changing course can be a big opportunity
Mindset and growth: how positive leadership is crucial to driving your business
Good growth: making a difference and a commercial success
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
10.55am
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CHIEU CAO
Founder and CEO of Mintago, an employee financial wellbeing solution and co-founder of Perkbox, Europe’s fastest-growing employee experience platform to which he was responsible for building the Perkbox marketing, brand and culture from the beginning. He is also very involved in the entrepreneurial community through his investments, mentorships and non-exec board activities.
11.25am
PANEL: Exceeding customer demand: expectations vs innovation
The last year has proven that digital transformation is no longer a great differentiator: it’s a necessity. So how can businesses innovate to offer their customers something truly exciting? Our panel discuss the opportunities available, from customer-centric digital offerings to exciting transformative technologies.
Meeting customer demand: the first step in any digital journey
Online experience: building reviews, trust scores and online services into your digital strategy
Above and beyond: using digital to surprise and excite customers
Competitive edge: digital transformation that’s right for your business and your audience
TALENT AND REGULATIONS
12.05pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CHARLIE MULLINS
A British businessman, and the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, London’s largest independent plumbing company.
12.35pm
PANEL: Talent, anywhere: broadening skill search horizons
Is it time to think differently about global talent? With the growth in work from home culture, an increasing number of corporates are expanding their global skills search and employing remote-working talent across the globe. Is it an option for SMEs, and what are the opportunities it brings to businesses?
The changing talent landscape: what it means for UK businesses
Finding the skills you need in a global, or pan-regional, setting
Managing remote teams: overcoming the challenges
Rewarding a diverse workforce: the importance of tailored perks
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
2.05pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CIARAN O'DONNELL
Ciaran O’Donnell, Founder of VirtualFD and OwnYourNumbers. Ciaran started his business Virtual FD in 2010, on a mission to help new businesses who needed FD level advice, but weren’t ready for a full-time role.
2.35pm
PANEL: Putting a figure on it: the importance of forecasting
Financial forecasting is difficult at the best of times, but it’s even more of a challenge against the background of economic uncertainty. In this session, our panellists discuss the importance of forecasting, and how to balance realistic expectations and ambitious goals as you grow your business – as well as finding the funding to support your ambitions.
Flexible forecasting: financial planning for every eventuality
Finding funds: driving forecasts with the right finance
Right move, right time: making the right decisions for your business
OVERSEAS EXPANSION
3.30pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ALLYSON STEWART-ALLEN
Chief Executive at International Marketing Partners LTD
4.00pm
PANEL: Spotlight on…Asia Pacific
The region has been pushed as a significant trade opportunity for businesses post-Brexit, but how can British businesses grasp the opportunities and make the most of what the region has to offer? Here, our experts look at the governments trade deal and how it’s shaping our trade with the region.
Risk vs reward: Asian expansion in a challenging global climate
Demand for British business in Asia-Pacific: is it the right option for your offering?
Identifying barriers and how to overcome them
Understanding Asia-Pacific markets: cultural, linguistic and legislative
challenges