City launches its Business Week
FOLLOWING the success of the first Leeds Business Week in 2008, Leeds is to hold the second of its week-long business events in June.
Brought to the city by Marketing Leeds, Leeds Chamber and RIBC, and sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, Leeds Business Week 2009 will take place from June 1 to 5 at Leeds Metropolitan University’s Rose Bowl, the new home of Leeds Business School.
The week, the theme of which is ‘Your Toolkit for Success’, is aimed at people of all levels of business. It will include a series of seminars, conferences and workshops, providing the tools for business success now and in the future.
The programme of events kicks off with a launch breakfast featuring guest speaker Penny Mallory – rally driver-turned performance coach and motivational speaker.
Other speakers include Richard Reed, co-founder of smoothie maker Innocent, who will help inspire young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas and enthusiasm into business, at a session hosted by Yorkshire Icons.
The week also provides an opportunity to look at the different ways in which men and women operate in the workplace. Vive La Difference, hosted by Leeds Metropolitan University, is just one of many events taking place over the week, culminating in the Yorkshire International Business Convention in Harrogate on Friday June 5.
Deborah Green, chief executive of Marketing Leeds said: “Leeds Business Week is key in helping us achieve our aim of positioning Leeds as a leading business centre, both in the UK and internationally. The first ever Leeds Business Week in 2008 was an excellent example of how collaborative working can produce great results. With the support of Leeds Chamber and RIBC and the kind sponsorship of Yorkshire Bank, we have a calendar of over 20 events planned for the week, which we hope will grow on the success of last year.
“Leeds Business Week will provide the opportunity to network with a local, national and international business audience. I encourage businesses to get involved to equip themselves with the tools for success.”
Gary Williamson, chief executive of Leeds Chamber said: “We are strong supporters of business growth and development in the city. In the current economic landscape, it is all the more important to share best business practice, and Leeds Business Week is the ideal platform to achieve this. The week, with its mix of motivational seminars and inspirational speakers, will support and encourage the city’s entrepreneurs and its business community.”
Dean Cutbill, director for Yorkshire Bank added: “Yorkshire Bank is proud to be sponsoring Leeds Business Week for the second year running. We are strongly committed to connecting with the business community to ensure knowledge is shared and excellence is achieved. Leeds Business Week offers us an opportunity to do just that. We look forward to seeing a diverse range of businesses at the event, and hope those who attend find the different topics and speakers useful and inspiring.”
The week will also help raise awareness of the importance of innovation in business in a session for SME’s hosted by Business Link, The University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University.
For further information on Leeds Business Week, including details of how to register for events, visit www.leedsbizweek.biz
