The biggest innovation conference in the North East has revealed the list of speakers appearing at its event.
More than 800 businesses are this year due to take part in VentureFest North East, which is dedicated to helping organisations learn about innovation trends, providing them with a space to network and giving entrepreneurs a chance to meet investors.
This year’s event its taking place at St James’ Park on November 28 and organiser the Innovation SuperNetwork has now announced its line-up of speakers.
The line-up includes director of innovation and digital for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Felicity Burch, co-president and chief sales officer at NineSigma Patrick Ferran and Notpla’s operation lead Ella O’Toole.
Ms Burch’s work at CBI sees her create conditions that allow businesses to come up with new ideas, invest in research and development, and adopt new technologies.
She said: “Innovation will help provide solutions to some of the biggest challenges our society faces. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate enough to work with businesses of all sizes to deliver on policies that will help them to innovate.
“I am really looking forward to joining delegates at VentureFest North East to hear how their ideas are creating new opportunities and share stories from across the business community.”
The event will also see influential North East business leaders Dean Benson, founder of Visualsoft, and Atomhawk founder Ron Ashtiani engage in a fireside chat about their careers. The discussion will be headed up by Helen Cadzow, CEO of Cadzow Estates.
Mr Benson said: “To be asked to present to over 800 delegates from across the North East is a real honour and it is fantastic that an event of this scale takes place on my own doorstep. It will be great to appear in conversation with Ron and both give our own perspective on what it is like to have founded and grown an innovative business from the ground up.”
Estelle Blanks, executive director at the Innovation SuperNetwork, added: “VentureFest North East continues to go from strength to strength each year, something which is reflected in the speaker line-up for 2019. We have secured some of the top regional, national and international names in innovation for the event, with more announcements to come as we get closer to November 28.
“By bringing together such a strong collective of speakers, all of whom have their own unique story to tell, we are confident that we can equip and empower businesses with the tools they need to make connections, open themselves up to new markets and secure funding that will help continue to drive forward innovation in the North East.”
The event is free to attend. More information is available at https://supernetwork.org.uk/venturefest-north-east/
