GROWTH and innovation will be the buzz words at a business summit in Wellesbourne next week.
The Driving Innovation and Growth Summit will be held at the University of Warwick Wellesbourne Conference Centre on Friday (February 17).
And business leaders from across south Warwickshire will be displaying talents in automation, AI, electrification, agri-tech, and the digital and creative sector.
Adam Taylor, co-founder of e-commerce platform for pet food subscriptions petshop.co.uk, which is based in Masons Road, Stratford, will be the first keynote speaker at the event, which has been organised by Stratford District Council, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub and the University of Warwick.
Next to the stage will be Nik Spencer CEO of Mission HERU with offices in Stratford – inventor of the HERU, a Hybrid Heat Pump that heats the home or business with materials previously discarded such as nappies, plastics and food, while 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 MP for Kenilworth and Southam will close the Summit.
SDC Leader Coun Tony Jefferson said this would be a fantastic opportunity for companies in the area to hear first-hand about how innovation is driving growth.
He continued: “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.
“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 and 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.”
