More than 6,300 people attended the 2019 Leicester Business Festival which saw a range of showcase events ranging from farming to flying taxis and Formula 1 racing.
This year marked five years of the festival which was set up to drive inward investment in the city and county. It runs over two weeks and includes dozens of free events across a host of sectors.
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) ran 15 events across the fortnight looking at subjects including how businesses can benefit from GDPR, bring new products to market, and improve diversity in the workforce.
The closing celebration held at DMU’s Vijay Patel Building revealed that in five years the LBF, has featured 576 events and welcomed 36,148 attendees.
Helen Donnellan, Director of Business Engagement at DMU said: “I am so pleased that we can take a cohesive approach, with businesses across all areas, business organisations, public sector and universities all working together to support the development of our economy.”
Winner of BBC's Apprentice, James White, who was a speaker at DMU Apprenticeship Day
Scott Charlish head of East Midlands financial planning at Brewin Dolphin is chair of the LBF Steering Group. He said: “The Leicester Business Festival never fails to disappoint. Year after year, the business community comes out in force during these two weeks, to make the most of the events and networking opportunities it presents.
“It’s brilliant to see that 82 per cent of attendees feel they benefited from the events and 95 per cent would recommend the LBF to others. This is a true reflection of the strength of the LBF and demonstrates its worth and longevity.”
Jennifer Thomas of the Federation of Small Businesses said her members got a lot of value out of attending events and making new connections at the festival.
She said: “It allows our members to have access to opportunities that they would not otherwise have.”
Awards were presented to eatPOS for best engagement; LLEP and East Midlands Airport for most pioneering event; and We Love Surveys for best event.
De Montfort University (DMU) will be the headline partner of the festival for the next three years along with East Midlands Chamber and the LLEP Business Gateway.
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The 2019 LBF headline partner was Leicester Castle Business School. Other partners have included East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Airport, LLEP Business Gateway. The dates for next year’s Leicester Business Festival will be 2 to 13 November.
The sponsors have been Brewin Dolphin, Pattersons Commercial Law, FSB, Shakespeare Martineau and Eileen Richards Recruitment and supporters were Everards Brewery, Harborough District Council, Bradgate Estates, Team Leicester, Highcross Leicester, Business Central, Growth Partners, Mindera and the Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards.
To take a look back at LBF2019, visit the website www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com
Posted on Monday 11 November 2019