A DAY of “amazing” stories has been created to inspire established and emerging entrepreneurs across the North East.
The Entrepreneurs' Forum has revealed its speaker line-up for its annual Fortune Favours the Brave autumn business conference, this year taking place at Wynyard Hall on November 20.
It includes North East-born innovative designer and architect, entrepreneur and government adviser George Clarke, who is best known for his television shows George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man.
Lining up alongside him are:
• David Cooper, the greatly admired founder of the multi-award winning Coopers Coffee, who will share his businesses experiences, both bitter and sweet;
• Richard Kirk, chief executive of Polyphotonix and a pioneer in “organic light” who is credited for many world’s first applications using electroluminescent lighting;
• Floyd Woodrow, a decorated former Parachute Regiment and SAS soldier, and ex-head of the Counter Terrorist Unit, who now runs security organisation Britam Defence Ltd and Chrysalis Worldwide, which supports the development of elite teams and individuals, and strategic planning.
• Pamela Petty, a Forum board member and managing director of Ebac, the Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturer of water coolers and other appliances that’s also bringing back washing machine production to the UK.
It will be the first time the Forum has held a major event at Wynyard Hall, and comes just weeks after owner Sir John Hall was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement honour at the Forum's annual awards.
Entrepreneurial success in the Tees Valley will be celebrated throughout the conference, which is sponsored by Darlington-based Recognition Marketing & PR and hosted by former BBC Radio Cleveland favourite Alan Wright.
The audience will hear from local entrepreneurs behind global success stories that are based within minutes of the conference venue:
• Bryan Bunn, founder of Wynyard-based Nortech Solutions and a finalist for the Forum’s Entrepreneur of the Year;
• Alex Hayward, MD of engineering information management specialists Phusion IM, based in Billingham;
• Arnab Basu MBE, CEO of Sedgefield-based leading technology company Kromek Group, which designs, develops and produces x-ray imaging and radiation detection products for the medical, security screening and nuclear markets and was valued at £55m when it debuted on AIM last October.
Graham Robb, a board member of the Forum and founder of Recognition Marketing & PR, said: "This year's Fortune Favours the Brave business conference is lining up to be an amazing day. As a business we are delighted to be involved in an event that will not only inspire delegates with stories from highly regarded entrepreneurs from around the country, but also recognises and celebrates the fantastic entrepreneurial innovation within our own region.
"It's a unique opportunity for North East business owners to come together, connect and share knowledge and experience."
• Fortune Favours the Brave is on Thursday, November 20, from 8am-5.30pm. Delegate places cost £99+VAT for Forum members and their guests. For more information, visit www.entrepreneursforum.net or tel: 0191 500 7780.
