Business Resilience and Responsible Growth Forum

Join us for a morning forum exploring the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses and how they can build resilience and adopt responsible practices for long-term viability, amid economic uncertainties and investment pressures. The event will feature a renowned business leader’s keynote, a panel discussion featuring academics, businesses and policy leaders, and opportunities for networking with fellow business owners, managers and professionals.

Attendees will hear about the latest research from the Growth Hub at the University of Leicester School of Business, on business resilience, innovation with limited resources, and inclusive growth models. Practical strategies to enhance productivity and efficiency will be discussed, both of which are essential for SMEs and service providers competing with larger corporations.

Agenda: 

09.30-10.00: Registration and Networking
10.00-10.05: Welcome (Professor Mohamed Shaban, Associate Dean for Enterprise, University of Leicester School of Business)
10.05 - 10.45: Keynote: Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Founder & Chairman of the Randal Foundation and Pro-Chancellor (Enterprise), University of Leicester
10.45-11.00: Break
11.00-11.45: Panel Session (facilitated by Professor Mat Hughes, Dean of Research & Enterprise, University of Leicester School of Business):
•    Angela Orton, Managing Director, Structural Adhesives Ltd 
•    Richard Blackmore, Director of Policy & Growth, East Midlands Chamber
•    Rajinder Bhuhi, Forging Ahead Manager, Loughborough University and Director/Co-founder, Leicester Startups
•    Professor Nik Hammer, Professor of Work and Employment, University of Leicester School of Business
•    Dr Georgiana Grigore, Director of the Growth Hub, University of Leicester School of Business
11.45-12.00 Closing Remarks (Professor Mohamed Shaban, Associate Dean for Enterprise, University of Leicester School of Business)
12.00-12.30 Networking and Refreshments

Small and medium-sized businesses are facing increasing pressure from rising costs, economic uncertainty and competition from larger organisations. So how can they remain competitive, productive and sustainable in the long term?

This forum will empower attendees, particularly owners and managers of small firms, by providing practical insights on resilience, productivity, and responsible growth. The Growth Hub will explore the efficiency and sustainability challenges faced by entrepreneurs driven by competitive pressures from larger businesses and economic uncertainties that impede innovation.

Attendees will gain evidence-based strategies and tools to improve operational performance, advance financial inclusion, and ensure long-term viability, as well as the opportunity to exchange experiences with researchers, business leaders and policymakers. The forum will also explain the role of universities and support organisations in helping businesses thrive and contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth

The forum will be led by Professor Mohamed Shaban, Associate Dean for Enterprise at the University of Leicester School of Business

The panel includes: Angela Orton (Managing Director, Structural Adhesives Ltd), Richard Blackmore, (Director of Policy & Growth, East Midlands Chamber), Rajinder Bhuhi, (Forging Ahead Manager, Loughborough University and Director/Co-founder, Leicester Startups), Professor Nik Hammer, (Professor of Work and Employment, University of Leicester School of Business),  Dr Georgiana Grigore, (Director of the Growth Hub, University of Leicester School of Business) and  will be facilitated by Professor Mat Hughes, Dean of Research and Enterprise at University of Leicester School of Business

The keynote will be delivered by Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Founder & Chairman of the Randal Foundation and Pro-Chancellor (Enterprise) at the University of Leicester.

Business owners, senior managers, entrepreneurs, local policymakers, economic development professionals and anyone interested in supporting business resilience and growth.

Owners and leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), business support organisations, local economic development professionals, policymakers and those interested in productivity, innovation and responsible business growth.