Dragon's Den star Kirsty Henshaw to inspire at Hyndburn Jobs Fair

Dragon’s Den star and award-winning entrepreneur Kirsty Henshaw will be a special guest at the Hyndburn Jobs Fair, taking place on Monday 9th February at Accrington Town Hall.

The free-to-attend event, organised by Hyndburn Borough Council, will run from 10am to 3pm and is open to members of the public looking to explore new career opportunities.

Attendees will be able to meet with more than 40 employers and training providers, discover live job vacancies and take part in three free workshops designed to offer practical advice and inspiration.

From 10am to 11:30am, Hyndburn Borough Council will partner with Square Peg Recruitment to deliver a session packed with practical tips for employers and recruitment best practice.

Later in the day, from 1:30pm to 3pm, Kat from Work From Home Hub will lead an engaging workshop focused on remote working, ideal for those seeking greater flexibility in their careers.

A major highlight of the day will be the appearance of Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s, one of the UK’s most trusted free-from food brands. Kirsty will also be running a free workshop, sharing her inspiring journey into business and offering insights into entrepreneurship, resilience and purpose-driven growth.

Existing local food brands are invited to attend the workshop to discuss everything from branding opportunities to being an allergen free business, with Kirsty’s entire factory completely free from all 14 major allergens.

Originally from Preston, Kirsty became the youngest entrepreneur to secure investment on Dragons’ Den in 2010, successfully receiving the investment from Dragons Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne.

Since then, she has built Kirsty’s into a household name, designing and establishing the UK’s largest fully dedicated free-from manufacturing site in Yorkshire, setting new benchmarks for allergen safety and integrity. The site also manufactures MyProtein ready meals under licence.

Kirsty remains hands-on in the business and is passionate about people-led leadership, ethical growth and social impact, including supporting prison-to-employment schemes and local communities.

She speaks openly about resilience, building businesses with purpose and scaling sustainably.

Kirsty said: “I’m really excited to be attending the Hyndburn Jobs Fair, meeting new people and showcasing my brand.

"It’s always a privilege to share my story and I’m especially looking forward to running a workshop about my journey into business and what it really takes to get started. I hope it inspires people to believe in their ideas and take that first step.”

Cllr Scott Brerton, cabinet member for business and growth at Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome Kirsty to the Hyndburn Jobs Fair.

"She’s a fantastic example of just how successful someone from Lancashire can be in the business world and her story will undoubtedly encourage and inspire people across Hyndburn.

“Alongside Kirsty’s workshop, we also have two excellent free sessions on the day, offering invaluable advice and practical skills that attendees can take forward in their careers.”

To secure a place on the workshops, email [email protected].

There are limited spaces remaining for employers who wish to exhibit at the event. Any businesses interested in attending should email [email protected]