SMEs from across Leicestershire will share how they are turning ideas into growth in an open fireside chat at the launch of Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026.
Professor Katie Normington, the Chair of the Leicestershire Innovation Advisory Group and Vice‑Chancellor of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), will deliver the official welcome to delegates and frame the festival's role within regional and UK economic strategy.
The VC will welcome the launch session of LIF26 - entitled What Does Innovation Mean to You and Your Business?.
The event, led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, will feature an informal panel discussion with four Leicestershire-based innovators who are putting research and development into practice inside their businesses every day.
Conversation will be facilitated by George Oliver, Managing Director of Loughborough-based 1284 Communications, as the audience hears real world stories of small business approaches to R&D, growth, and creativity.
George will speak with a panel of four local leaders, each of them with a record of innovation in their own industry:
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Gerry Boyce, Director, Hive Composites
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Janie Morgan-Wood, Director, Frock Tales Ltd
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Craig Roberts, Business Manager, Cande Group
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Angela Orton, Director, Structural Adhesives
Across sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing and materials to creative industries and specialist services, these SMEs will discuss what innovation looks like on the ground: managing risk, attracting talent, finding the right partners and explaining new ideas to customers and stakeholders.
The fireside chat will open the eighth annual Leicestershire Innovation Festival, which runs from 9-13 March 2026 at venues across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The week-long programme brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, educators and business leaders to celebrate local R&D, productivity and growth, with a strong focus on practical support for small businesses.
Festival events will give SME owners and leaders the chance to access expert guidance on funding and business growth, discover new tools and technologies, network with peers and investors, and explore university and specialist partnerships, as well as discover more about innovation support services available to them.
Limited places are available for the funded launch event. You can book here now.
It will take place at the Holiday Inn, in central Leicester, from 8am to 11:30am on Monday 9 March. Times, venues and details of all events - including registration - are available here.
Posted on Monday 9 February 2026