The fifth annual Leicester Business Festival is underway, promoting the best the region’s business community has to offer.
A launch event took place yesterday morning, giving attendees a sneak peak inside 1 Great Central Square, Leicester’s newest grade A office complex.
The breakfast event, which attracted around 100 business and public sector leaders, was followed by a De Montfort University event called “Make Diversity Your Business” at Leicester Castle Business School, featuring ex-Blue Peter presenter Diane Louise Jordan.
Later in the afternoon, Purple Star Design packed out Curve Theatre with its event, “Well Designed Social Media Works”.
It covered the basics of using social media channels and free online apps to help with marketing strategies.
This year’s two-week festival will include 115 events across the city and county, varying in subject and size from small workshops and seminars to expos and conferences.
Tickets to pretty much all the events are free.
Scott Charlish is head of East Midlands financial planning at wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin and chairman of the festival steering group.
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Speaking at the launch event he said: “There’s an absolutely outstanding array of events in this year’s festival.
“These include presentations which look at futuristic transport themes such as flying taxis and also events which look into opportunities to become part of the NHS clinical data supply chain.
“Diversity in the workplace is also investigated via a De Montfort University programme and there are workshops teaching social media engagement tactics.
“There really is something for everyone.
“It’s also very fitting that the business festival should launch in Great Central Square, Leicester’s newest office developments, representing the continued growth of the regional economy.”
Joseph Murphy is director at Leicestershire-based Charles Street Buildings, which is building the new office block off Vaughan Way in the city centre.
He said: “Great Central Square is Leicester’s newest prime grade A office accommodation and is now ready for occupation.
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“We, as the developer, are delighted to be able to showcase the building by hosting the launch of the 2019 Leicester Business Festival kicking off the fortnight of events.”
De Montfort University’s Leicester Castle Business School has been headline partner for three years and recently announced it will be continuing its partnership for another three years, along with the East Midlands Chamber and the LLEP Business Gateway.
Helen Donnellan, director of business engagement at the university, said: “It has been so exciting to see how the Leicester Business Festival has grown and flourished over the past five years.
“It has created a real sense of shared purpose in the business community to promote the city and county, helped us share our success and raise the profile of Leicestershire as a great place to do business.
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“At De Montfort University, we have seen first-hand how it has led to collaborations and new projects and partnerships for our academics and entrepreneurial students.
“The support received by Leicester Castle Business School from businesses in the festival enabled us to provide incredible opportunities for our students and get to know what issues local companies were facing.
“De Montfort University is committed to being a part of the business community and that’s why we are proud to be a sponsor for the next three years.”
Remaining tickets to business festival events are .