Bibby targets ambitious SMEs for Birmingham growth conference
A GROWTH conference targeting the SME sector in the West Midlands takes place in Birmingham tomorrow (Wednesday).
The event, Fit for the Future: Financing Business Aspirations , takes place at the Birmingham Rep and features a speaker line-up including Evening Standard financial editor and author, Anthony Hilton and World Cup winner and former England and British Lions rugby player, Will Greenwood.
The event has been organised by specialist funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS), and aims to bring together SME owners with professional advisors such as accountants, finance brokers and financial advisers.
Greenwood said: “From my own experience, I know that running a business isn’t easy and it’s hugely important to have the right support network around. This is a great opportunity to meet with other owners, entrepreneurs and business experts in the Midlands, and to discuss the challenges they face.”
Sharon Wiltshire, managing director of Bibby Financial Services West Midlands, said the firm was seeing significant levels of activity and recruitment among small businesses in the West Midlands and there were many growth opportunities within the region.
“Across all sectors the Midlands has innovative and pioneering businesses striving to flourish, but many of them need a helping hand to make the step-up to sustainable growth,” she said.
The event is open to businesses of all sizes, in addition to the region’s network of business advisors. Registration will begin at 8am and the event is expected to close at around 11:30am.
Anthony Hilton said the event offered a valuable insight into the UK economy.
“A day spent talking to fellow businessmen who are grappling with similar day to day challenges and long term problems as they seek to grow their companies will teach you more about what is happening in the British economy, than you will get from a life time spent listening to the views of city economists,” he said.
Recent research from Bibby Financial Services found that more West Midlands businesses were planning to invest in their workforce in 2014 than any other region in the UK.
The Building Future Growth report was published to coincide with the official opening of the funder’s West Midlands Business Centre in Birmingham.
