Power-packed line-up of speakers for special Shropshire business event
A power-packed line-up of speakers has been revealed for a special business dinner in Shropshire - including past and present bosses from some of Britain’s best known brands.
The Shropshire Business Conversation is being held at Telford’s International Centre on the evening of March 5.
It is a joint venture between Shropshire Festivals, and Shropshire Business magazine which is marking its 10th anniversary this year.
As part of the celebration, the magazine has invited some of the high-profile cover stars from its past editions to take part in a Q&A and reveal the stories behind their business success. The line-up includes:
- Will Stratton-Morris: former CEO of Caffè Nero and now group chief business development officer, bringing a global perspective on growth from the forefront of the hospitality sector.
- Walter Gleeson: A co-founder of Music Magpie, the international platform for refurbished electronics and second-hand media which became one of eBay’s most successful sellers.
- Sarah Holmes: managing director of Merrythought, who shows how to balance heritage and innovation while leading one of Britain’s most cherished brands into its next chapter.
- Mo Chaudry: Telford-raised entrepreneur and chairman of M Investment Group, on how he scaled a multi-million-pound leisure empire and became one of the UK’s richest Asian entrepreneurs.
- Deborah Mitchell: founder and driving force behind Heaven Skincare, charting her journey from kitchen experiments to Royal Warrant holder with a globally loved luxury organic skincare brand.
- Charlie Blakemore: chief executive officer of Intercity Technology, sharing four decades of leadership across defence, aerospace and IT, offering hard-won insight into guiding organisations through industry upheaval.
The event will begin immediately after the conclusion of Shropshire Business Festival, a free event which will be taking place throughout the day at the International Centre.
Beth Heath, director of Shropshire Festivals, said: “Following our popular Business Festival, ticket holders will be invited to head upstairs at Telford International Centre for a sit-down dinner, where you will be seated with iconic cover stars of Shropshire Business Magazine from the last decade.
“They will lead panel discussions reflecting on the local business community and their own journeys to success. We promise you conversations that stick with you long after the evening ends.”
Carl Jones, editor and director of Shropshire Business who will be conducting the Q&A interviews, said: “We’re really grateful to the Shropshire Festivals team for their enthusiasm in helping us to mark our 10th anniversary this year.
“It’s going to be a brilliant way to round off the Shropshire Business Festival day – a fantastic opportunity to gain access to some of the most entrepreneurial, knowledgeable and successful business people in our area.
“This must be one of the highest-profile panels of locally-connected business speakers ever assembled for one event in Shropshire.”
Tickets to the Shropshire Business Conversation are £53.99 including a two-course dinner. For all the details, see shropshirebusinessfestival.co.uk.
