East Midlands 2025: Can’t-miss events – get your tickets now

As we enter 2025 we already have a number of essential networking events confirmed – and we’re looking forward to seeing you at one – or all – of them!
23 January – Women in Business Lunch with Libby James
Our next Women in Business Lunch features one of the East Midlands’ fastest-rising female entrepreneurs.
Libby James is the founder of www.merchantadviceservice.co.uk and the creator of The Payments Directory.
Libby James
Driven by a passion for transparency and education in the financial services sector, Libby launched The Payments Directory to empower business owners to make informed decisions about card payments, business banking, and merchant cash advances.
With her extensive industry knowledge and commitment to unbiased guidance, Libby is dedicated to putting control back into the hands of business owners and simplifying the process of finding the right financial solutions.
Please join us on January 23 at Bar Esca in Nottingham to kick-start the New Year with great networking, food and the chance to hear from and meet Libby.
What to expect at the lunch:
🤝 Networking with the East Midlands business community
🍴 Welcome drink & tapas lunch at Baresca
🗣️ Hear from a female entrepreneur
12 February – Networking Lunch with Emile Heskey
Former Liverpool, Leicester, Aston Villa and England striker Emile Heskey will be the exclusive speaker at our February networking lunch.
Emile will join us from midday on Wednesday, February 12 at the Cosy Club in Nottingham to speak about his footballing career – and his new role with Nottinghamshire business, Octavian Group.
Emile enjoyed a professional football career spanning more than two decades. He played 633 club career games, scoring 130 goals. He also won 62 England caps, scoring seven goals for his country.
At this event, Emile will talk about his illustrious sporting career and also how the business and corporate world offers great rewards for elite athletes as they share so many synergies with elite entrepreneurs. He is on a mission to encourage more athletes into the business world to not only learn but also share their winning mindset and help businesses grow.
We hope you can join us at what is sure to be a fascinating networking event.
What to expect at the lunch:
🤝 Networking with the East Midlands business community
🍴 Welcome drink & two-course lunch
🗣️ Hear from striker Emile Heskey
26 March – Rainmakers Conference 2025
We also have our Rainmakers conference, which will be held on Wednesday 26 March, at The Point in Manchester.
Much has changed since the first successful Rainmakers conference.
A new government and hopefully a more stable economic environment.
But with change comes the challenge. A great deal has been done behind the scenes to ensure the Rainmakers community – investors and advisors – continue to contribute to the prosperity of the North, under a government.
Click here to view the Rainmakers Conference website.
The 2025 conference will feature more opportunities to network, to hear amazing speakers, to hear from inspiring entrepreneurs, but also to interrogate the challenges of value creation.
Standard Ticket | £199
For finance professionals shaping deals, investments, and strategies in the corporate finance sector
Industry Leader Ticket | £125 + VAT
For CEOs, CFOs, and senior management driving financial success in their industries.