Excitement ahead of a high-profile online networking event is building after the complete line-up was announced, giving business owners the chance to pick the brains of leading entrepreneurs.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub has revealed that Dragons’ Den panellist Piers Linney and The Apprentice finalist Camilla Ainsworth will be joined by two leading West Midlands entrepreneurs as speakers at the “Strength in Numbers: Build your Business Through Collaboration” event.
Alongside the two keynote speakers will be Eileen Schofield, Owner and Principal of Schofield and Associates, and Paul Griffiths, Co-founder and Director of Aspire Sports. The pair will reveal how the Peer Networks scheme has supported their firms since joining the pilot programme last year.
The exclusive online event, which will be hosted by Sean Farnell, Partner at Warwickshire-based accountancy firm Burgis & Bullock, takes place on Tuesday, June 29, from noon to 1.30pm and will provide a platform for businesses considering joining the Peer Networks programme to hear first-hand accounts of the benefits of working with other business leaders.
Phil Peak, Business Development Director at the CWLEP Growth Hub, will kick-off proceedings with an overview of the Peer Networks programme and introduce guests to the new West Midlands Growth Hubs website.
He will than hand over to Piers, who will deliver a motivational speech to participants on the importance of collaboration and the benefits of mentoring, drawing from his experience working with growth businesses and entrepreneurs.
Following a lively Q&A with Eileen and Paul, who will share stories of their Peer Networks experience, Camilla will take to the digital stage to give her thoughts on connecting with peers and how building a trusted network can help boost business growth and resilience. A closing Q&A session will give guests the chance to find out more about the programme and get valuable advice from the experts.
The event is free to attend for businesses throughout the West Midlands and is aimed at those who are eligible for the Peer Networks programme. To meet the criteria, SMEs must have a turnover of at least £100K, a minimum five employees (unless they are a digital business), have been trading for at least one year and have an aspiration to improve. Attendees will be able to watch via the new West Midlands Growth Hubs website’s virtual meeting room.
Craig Humphrey, Managing Director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “Strength in Numbers: Build your Business Through Collaboration has been organised by the West Midlands Growth Hubs and will give businesses the chance to put their questions to renowned business experts.
“Following the successful launch of the Peer Networks programme in 2020, we are hoping that even more businesses will join us for this special event. It’s a chance for businesses to get one step ahead by learning from some of the most successful entrepreneurs working today.
“Our guest speakers will be able to offer practical business advice and I’m sure there will also be some fascinating personal anecdotes that will prove extremely helpful and enlightening to all those who attend.”
All West Midlands Growth Hub events can be booked via www.wmgrowthhubs.co.uk.
Caption: Piers Linney who will be speaking at the “Strength in Numbers: Build your Business Through Collaboration” event.