Business leaders to share their expertise and plans for growth

Entrepreneurial business leaders will be sharing their expertise and plans for growth alongside innovative and high-growth businesses from across Stratford and South Warwickshire at the inaugural Driving Innovation & Growth Summit this month.  

The eagerly-anticipated event for innovative high-growth businesses will showcase Stratford District's manufacturing talents in automation, AI, electrification, agri-tech, and the digital and creative sector at the University of Warwick Wellesbourne Campus Conference Centre between 7.30am and 1.30pm on Friday, February 17.  

Adam Taylor, co-founder of e-commerce platform for pet food subscriptions petshop.co.uk, which is based in Masons Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, will be the first keynote speaker at the event which has been organised by Stratford-on-Avon District Council, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub and the University of Warwick.  

Next to the stage will be Nik Spencer CEO of Mission HERU with offices in Stratford-upon-Avon; inventor of the HERU, a Hybrid Heat Pump that heats the home or business with materials previously discarded such as nappies, plastics and food, whilst reducing global warming pollution.  

He will be followed by Chief Operating Officer Ben Ackroyd at Porterbrook which has developed the UK's first hydrogen-ready passenger train at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre at Station Road in Long Marston.   Irene Graham, CEO of the Scale-Up Institute, will be among a panel session along with Professor Ken Young from the MTC, and Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP for Kenilworth and Southam will close the Summit.  

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said this would be a fantastic opportunity for companies in the area to hear first-hand about how innovation is driving growth.  

"The aim of the event is to showcase and establish Stratford District, as part of a wider South Warwickshire sub-region, as one of the best places in the UK to start, grow, and develop innovative and high-growth businesses," he said.  

"Innovative businesses are the bedrock of our economy and in Stratford District, we have a wide range of talented entrepreneurs making their mark in a wide range of sectors.  

"We are delighted Adam, Nik and Ben will be the guest speakers at our first Driving Innovation & Growth Summit to pass on their valuable wisdom and lessons they have learned as well as how innovation is paramount to their success.  

"This will be a great opportunity to engage with high-growth businesses in our area and find out more about the exciting developments which are on the horizon for Stratford District as we emphasise that we are powering growth in our region.  

"The new economic plan for South Warwickshire will also be launched at the event."  

Craig Humphrey, Managing Director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said the area had many companies with the potential for high-growth over the coming years.  

He said: "At the Growth Hub, we want to target support at companies with the ambition to Scale-Up over the next couple of years, and Irene Graham's knowledge and insight will be invaluable to businesses planning for high-growth.  

"Businesses who attend will find out more about how to overcome any obstacles they feel may stand in their way of meeting their objectives because the more high-growth businesses we have in our area, the more we will attract new investors and boost our economy."  

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor, and President of the University of Warwick, said: "The University of Warwick plays a key role in fostering innovation to enable the region's businesses and industry to grow, attracting new inward investment and developing talent pathways which address the skills shortage facing the region.  

"Together with Stratford-on-Avon District Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, we are driving the success of major regional developments and new initiatives.  

"The summit will be a great opportunity for business leaders, local leaders and the University's world-leading experts to discuss the challenges which will impact our region and how we can work together to develop future opportunities."