Prominent Lancashire entrepreneurs to speak at Festival of Business

By Tim Aldred

13 Dec 2023

Fob

A line-up of influential and experienced entrepreneurs has been announced to speak at the first ever Lancashire Festival of Business, which will take place at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel on February 1.

The notable names include a leader of a rapidly-growing national firm, a CBE-awarded community figure and an experienced business support specialist. They will draw on their personal experiences to give informative and inspiring talks on topics such as leadership, building workforces, raising finance, planning for growth and ESG.

The event has been organised by Lancashire Business View, in partnership with Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and will feature panel debates, masterclasses and opportunities for the county’s businesses to network and make new connections.

There will also be a Boost zone where attendees can meet the Boost team and advisors to discuss the support available, including the chance to book one-to-one conversations for a more detailed and personal chat about future growth plans.

Alongside headline sponsor Boost, the event is supported by exhibiting partners Brown & Co, Rossendale Borough Council,  South Ribble Borough Council and the Department for Business & Trade.

The speakers confirmed so far are:

Edwin Booth, executive chairman of Booths

One of Lancashire’s most well-respected business figures, Edwin is the current leader of the 176-year-old family firm Booths, which currently operates 28 stores and employs a workforce of 3,000. He is also a former chair of the Lancashire Economic Partnership and High Sherrif of Lancashire, and received a CBE in recognition of his contributions to business and charity in the region.

Paul Fox, chief executive of Fox Brothers Group

Paul is currently orchestrating one of the most impressive growth stories in the county at Fox Brothers Group, which today employs more than 850 people and operates from over 31 locations across the UK. In 2022 Paul became chair of the Employment Advisory Board for HMP Kirkham to support the rehabilitation of current and ex-prison offenders, and in 2023 became a director of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Jen Briggs, head of HR at James’ Places

Jen will share her expertise of building successful teams, drawing on 15 years working in HR. She has helped James’ Places grow to 11 hospitality venues employing a team of more than 450 with a combined  turnover in excess of £22m. Prior to joining the company, she spent ten years working for the government and is also an advocate for recruiting students and young people into the world of tourism and hospitality.

Adam Turner, managing director of the Chorley Group

Adam has overseen the latest phase of ongoing growth of the Chorley Group since taking over the day-to-day reins of the family firm in 2020. Today, the group operates 16 sites across the North West, employing 370 people, The company, a winner of several customer service awards, is also a notable supporter of community causes including Chorley FC, Chorley Mencap and Chorley Youth Zone. 

Mark Gibbons, senior Access to Finance specialist

Mark oversees the Access to Finance programme in Lancashire, helping SMEs from across the county to source the funding and finance that will unlock their growth. He holds 15 years of experience within the commercial lending market, ranging from start-up funding to asset based working capital facilities and equity investment. 

A wide array of themes will ensure businesses are well-equipped with everything they need to grow, scale or start a business in the county. Featured topics on the day will include:

  • Funding and finance for your business  
  • Recruiting and retaining the best team 
  • How to plan for your future with a clear strategy  
  • Getting started with ESG 
  • How to boost sales  
  • Leadership

Stephen Bolton, managing director of Lancashire Business View, said: “We have designed this festival to not only celebrate the best of entrepreneurial spirit in the county, but also to inspire others to start and grow their own businesses, giving them the tools they need to pursue their goals.

“I’m really excited with our line-up of guest speakers. They represent different roles in different types of business, but they each have experience of growing a business and it’ll be fascinating to hear the insight each has to share.

“We’ve been encouraged by the great feedback and support we have received so far. The calibre of sponsors who have chosen to back the festival not only highlight the quality of the event we will be hosting, but also give an indication of the weight of expertise that will be on offer to everyone who attends.”

Andrew Leeming, programme manager for Boost, said: “As champions of business growth and entrepreneurialism, Boost is excited to see this cohort of speakers take shape. The event promises to foster new thinking and bright ideas for the business festival goers.”

Tickets are £40 +VAT, or £70 +VAT for two, and includes refreshments, lunch and full conference programme.

Click here to book now

If you would like to discuss sponsor, speaker and exhibitor opportunities, please get in touch with Joanne Hindley on [email protected] or Stephen Bolton on [email protected].

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

2

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

3

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

4

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker Joan Casals, Max McFarlane and Chris Pateman

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker

09 Jul 2025

5

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project Rebecca Latham, Gemma Cornwall and Ross Cornwall

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project

09 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin