Monmouthshire’s biggest ever business conference has secured more inspirational guest speakers, including Wales’ first billionaire and owner of the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Sir Terry Matthews.
back 2 business week hits venues across Monmouthshire on June 6th and will comprise four days of agenda-setting activity and events aimed at boosting local business and entrepreneurship.
Kellie Beirne (pictured), Monmouthshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Regeneration & Culture organised the event. She said:
“It’s excellent that we have such a fantastic line-up of business experts to get our enterprise community motivated to make the most of the opportunities available here in Monmouthshire.
“We’re identifying the opportunities to reach beyond ‘survive’ to ‘thrive.
“Over the four days of back 2 business week there will be a chance to discover how business can flourish in the technology, renewable energy, and tourism sectors, as well as practical events aimed at supporting start-ups, existing businesses, and young entrepreneurs.”
Other confirmed speakers for the week include:
- Abi Carter, Entrepreneur of the Year 2010
- Simon Gibson, Chief Executive, Wesley Clover
- Andy Middleton, Social Entrepreneur
- Jason Mohammad, BBC Cymru
- The Rt Hon the Lord Mawhinney
- David Davies, Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire
- Paul Matthews, CEO, Monmouthshire County Council
- Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs, Microsoft Ltd
- Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely
- Pippa Davies, writer and work psychologist
Tickets for all events are free and there are opportunities for businesses to sponsor or exhibit during the week. To attend or find out more about back 2 business week, go to www.monb2b.co.uk.
There will also be an opportunity to win tickets to an exclusive dinner and networking evening with Wales’ leading business thinkers through the council’s Twitter feed @monmouthshirecc.
Councillor Bob Greenland, Cabinet member for Modernisation, Enterprise and Communications at Monmouthshire County Council, said:
“We need to help businesses to pull out of recession and we want to take a leading role in doing that. The latest issue of the Federation of Small Businesses’ magazine says that local authorities can be instrumental in creating prosperity by helping and engaging with businesses. We were thinking the same thing.
“This is a unique opportunity and I think we are trend-setting for the future of economic development – we want to show how a council can give a helping hand to new and existing businesses.”
The council will also launch its new venture MC2 (a community interest company that will ensure that the ‘Monmouthshire pound’ goes much further and is recycled in the communities within the county) and its strategic partnership with business support organisation Venture Wales.
