PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

& VENUES

We are extremely grateful to all partners for their support, which continues to ensure the Festival’s sustainability and success.

VENUE PARTNERS

Headline Partner

De Montfort University has played a pivotal role in the city’s business community since it was founded in 1860. The university works alongside companies to provide professional development courses, develop product ideas and identify commercial opportunities. DMU aims to be the business partner of choice for companies looking to develop and grow in Leicestershire. It has been transformed with a £136 million reimagining of the campus that has created a modern, inspiring environment and is a bold statement of confidence in the university and the city.

www.dmu.ac.uk

Partners

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is the biggest business-representation organisation in the Midlands, with about 4,200 members. It is the go-to place for answers.

It represents businesses of all sizes and across all sectors through a diverse range of activities from providing essential support, training and staff development at all levels, apprenticeships, international trade documentation, trade missions, international student placement, digital growth programmes, delivering the Collaborate programme in Leicestershire and D2 Business Starter Programme in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, delivering superfast broadband initiatives across all three counties and South Yorkshire, data gathering and analysis, advising businesses about Brexit and providing guidance on opportunities such as Heathrow expansion, HS2 and the fourth industrial revolution, working alongside academia and employers to close the skills gap, campaigning and lobbying, and more – always with the needs of business foremost.

Members also benefit from a range of opportunities to network and showcase their products and services.

www.emc-dnl.co.uk

Supporters

Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups.

Europe’s largest radio company, Global is home to respected, national market leading media brands broadcasting across the UK on DAB & FM and around the world on Global Player, including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, LBC News, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold. Global Player allows listeners to enjoy all of Global’s radio brands, award-winning podcasts, and expertly curated playlists, in one place in app, on web and on smart speakers.

Global is also one of the leading Outdoor companies in both the UK & Europe, with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population. Global’s extensive and diverse outdoor portfolio encompasses Transport for London’s Underground network, almost all major UK airports including Gatwick, the UK’s largest portfolio of roadside posters and premium digital screens in prime locations, as well as the UK’s largest network of buses including all major cities.

Global created and operates DAX (Digital Ad Exchange), the market leader in digital audio advertising and a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising. On-air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 25.3 million on the radio alone.

07557 157658 | Contact - Chris Templeman | Chris.Templeman@Global.com

Our small-to-medium-sized law firm has been providing expert legal advice to businesses

and the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond for over 40 years. We have offices
in Meridian Business Park in Leicester and Market Harborough.

We support and protect businesses through company growth, acquisitions and disposals,
shareholder agreements, business contracts, dispute resolution, helping you to manage
your workforce and look after your commercial property transactions and needs. We can
help business owners and directors to unlock the potential in their business and we work
alongside you as a trusted adviser.

We also offer a wide range of legal services to help you through life’s challenges, including personal employment concerns, children issues, family relationships and divorce, residential conveyancing, resolution for personal disputes, and probate, wills, LPAs and trusts advice. Our dedicated, caring and friendly lawyers are experts in their field.

We're here to help you with support and advice. Get in touch.

www.lawson-west.co.uk

"Very approachable, not as 'hard-nosed' as other solicitors."

www.memsaableicester.com

www.mailmetromedia.co.uk | Rosalyn.Hill@mailmetromedia.co.uk

Part of The Consultus International Group, Assured Energy provides energy and utility procurement, for smaller businesses – from independent retailers and local franchisees to affinity group members in any sector. 100% independent of suppliers, our approach enables our clients to benefit from economies of scale, more agile energy purchasing and consistently lower costs for gas, electricity and water.

Our experts understand the pressures that face small and medium-sized businesses are currently facing with rising energy costs and our team work as hard as they possibly can to give you exactly what you need, so you can use energy as an asset to drive your business forward. Rated 5 on TrustPilot and proudly recognised as Best Company in the Energy & Power category. If you’re concerned about your rising energy costs, have a chat with us today.

0330 221 9899 | www.assured.energy | Contact - Hiren Kanabar

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides unique loans to new and existing business

owners across Leicestershire and Rutland. Unlike other lenders, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s loans of up to £20,000 are completely interest-free. In addition, all successful applicants have a three-year period to get their business venture up and running, before equal monthly repayments commence over six years.

We have helped countless entrepreneurs and business owners make their dreams a reality, with award-winning hair stylist Barrie Stephen – now our patron – among the many beneficiaries. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s simply what we do. Visit our website for more information and read some of our success stories.

0116 2046620 | www.stwcharity.co.uk | info@stwcharity.co.uk

The Health Suite is the very first specialist clinic of its kind to open up in Leicester, offering patient-centred medical and wellness therapies, combining the best of Western medicine, Eastern wisdom and complementary therapies, under one roof.

With an extensive and collaborative multidisciplinary team on hand to support your unique health needs, The Health Suite offers a truly holistic approach to meet your individual needs. The Health Suite offers over 100 different services led by multiple practitioners from GPs, to secondary care consultants to complementary therapists.

The Health Suite aims for the highest levels of patient satisfaction, bringing innovative and unique treatment solutions to best support their patients. Regular feedback from service users has led to the development of new treatments and services and the iterative improvement of existing services to meet their needs better. Developing innovative packages to support patients with long covid as well as being the first provider in the area to deliver doctor-led hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

The Health Suite have recognition from major insurer groups such as BUPA, Healix, Cigna, WPA, General and Medical and was selected in the top 20 entrepreneurs in Leicester by Leicester City Council in 2022, to represent healthcare.

www.thehealthsuite.co.uk | info@thehealthsuite.co.uk

“As a local independent family business, we’re delighted to be involved with the Leicester Business Festival. We strive to nurture local talent with our own team and working with independent business owners running their own pubs.

Everards are proud to be from Leicestershire, a reason why we have beers dedicated to local landmarks, people or folklore and we aim to promote the region’s strengths whenever possible. We are currently investing in our new Leicestershire home including new brewery, offices and beer hall and cycle hub and café at Everards Meadows next to Fosse Park.

We look forward to continuing our support for the region through working with other local businesses, supporting business owners and continuing our partnerships with great local attractions such as Leicester Tigers, Leicester Riders and The Curve as well as the Leicester Business Festival.” Stephen Gould, Managing Director

www.everards.co.uk

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), supported by the European Regional Development Fund, is an initiative launched by the government-owned British Business Bank.

MEIF is a collaboration between the British Business Bank and ten Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the West Midlands and East and South East Midlands.

It provides over £250m of commercially focussed finance through Small Business Loans, Debt Finance, Proof of concept and Equity Finance funds and is a key part of the government's vision aimed at boosting the region's economy and supporting the growth of smaller businesses. These investment options are designed to plug common gaps in the provision of finance, giving businesses access to much needed funding.

The government firmly believes that SMEs form the foundation of the region's future growth. MEIF therefore aims to nurture regional entrepreneurship by providing investment and support for small businesses. MEIF's funding will support new and growing SMEs, create jobs and encourage and attract additional private sector investment.

www.meif.co.uk

Highcross opened its doors in September 2008 in the heart of Leicester City Centre. Highcross has over 100 shops and 35 cafes and restaurants providing 104,900 m² of retailing across two retail levels, integrated into the city centre. Alongside John Lewis, Highcross has major stores such as Urban Outfitters, Zara, Apple, Topshop and Reiss and premium retail and leisure brands, Hugo Boss and Cinema de Lux.

In addition to the retail offer, the public square and external spaces, Highcross offers a dining and leisure destination with Treetop Adventure Golf, Social Cimbing, Tamatanga, Wagamama, Friday’s and Turtle Bay.

www.highcrossleicester.com

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) provides advice, support and training to
charities and community groups across Leicester and Leicestershire.

With around 2,400 registered charities and an estimated 3,800 grassroots
community organisations across the city and county, we help charities to reach their
potential and continue delivering vital services within local communities.

Since 2016 VAL has delivered two employability projects, funded by the European
Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. These partnership projects –
the YES (Youth Employability Support) Project and the GREAT (Getting Ready for
Work and Training) Project – aim to help those furthest from the labour market to
overcome physical and social barriers and find work, training and education.

For over 20 years the VALUES project in VAL has provided people with learning
disabilities in Leicester and Leicestershire the opportunity to learn new skills, make
friends and have fun. VALUES clients can pay with their Personal Budgets and are
able to choose from a huge range of activities. The service currently employs dozens
of support workers to support over 130 clients with hundreds of activities every week.

www.valonline.org.uk

An Embark CSR initiative part of the Leicester Business Festival

Leicester Giving Day is a simple but impactful initiative that will enable companies and educational establishments in Leicester and Leicestershire to showcase their philanthropic support for charities and local communities.

It will encourage participating organisations to set aside one day in the year to reflect on what they already do, or to do more, to help those groups in the city and county that provide vital services to help people in need. It is also a day when invited charities and social enterprises can showcase their work to the general public in ‘charity hubs’ that will be set up in the city.

Companies and schools will be encouraged and supported leading up to the day to enable their employees and pupils to raise money for the charity of their choice, or to offer practical, in kind, support.

University of Leicester School of Business

The University of Leicester School of Business is a global academy for leaders, innovators and change-makers.

Building on over 90 years of delivering business education, we are internationally renowned for our courses in accounting and finance, business and management, marketing and economics.

Reflecting the pioneering work we conduct in partnership with leaders, managers and organisations to promote responsible business practice, we are ranked 14th in the UK for research power.

ulsb.business@le.ac.uk

Sandicliffe

Sandicliffe are instantly recognised as a trusted and popular automotive company with our locations assembled throughout the East Midlands.

Established at the Stapleford Branch in 1948, the business has thrived since and it has become a staple for people living in the East Midlands.

Mattioli Woods

Mattioli Woods is a leading provider of wealth management and employee benefits with their best selling product being your peace of mind.

Ian Mattioli and Bob Woods started the business in 1991 in a converted garage in Leicester. Mattioli Woods now finds itself as one of the UK’s leading providers of pension consultancy and wealth management services, advising over 11,000 clients through the UK, with assets under advice and administration in excess of £15 billion.

www.mattioliwoods.com

Big Difference, a registered charity, aims to improve people’s lives through comedy and laughter. Since 1994 we have produced the annual Leicester Comedy Festival and in 2019 launched The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival. This year we will celebrate thirty years of the Leicester Comedy Festival and five years of The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival. The festivals run from 8th-26th February 2023 and take place in over 135 venues across Leicester and the county. Leicester Comedy Festival features stand-up, film, poetry, spoken work and comic theatre, regularly attracting some of the biggest names in comedy. It supports new and emerging comedians and produces community-based events, which are an important part of its remit as a charity producing festivals and events for the public benefit.

Big Difference also produces a year-round programme of cultural events and projects; and we have recently opened our own city centre venue, The Big Difference, that programmes a range of comedy, music and arts events. We are thankful to be supported each year by a range of funders, sponsors and partners. If you would like to get involved with the work of the charity and align your organisation to Leicester Comedy Festival, we have a range of Sponsorship opportunities available and an annual Business Partners Club.

www.comedy-festival.co.uk info@comedy-festival.co.uk T: +44 (0) 116 261 6812

The IoD is a thriving member community for directors in the UK and beyond. At a time when good directors have never been more important, we offer professional development, valuable connections and meaningful influence.

The IoD has been at the heart of business since its formation in 1903. The Royal Charter, awarded in 1906, charged the IoD with promoting free enterprise, lobbying government and setting standards for corporate governance. Today, we remain the authority on entrepreneurialism, professionalism in business and good governance in the UK and beyond.

https://www.iod.com/

A multi award winning and leading family agent, with their customers at the heart of everything they do, Newton Fallowell has quickly become the go to agent whether you’re looking to sell or purchase in the Leicestershire area. With offices based in Leicester Forest East, Syston, Earl Shilton and Oadby the teams all come with years of experience and are committed to guiding customers through the property process with an efficient, enthusiastic and personable approach.

Adapting to the ever changing world, Newton Fallowell have continued to hold the lead with their innovative marketing techniques and strategies. Combining traditional methods such as leafletting, newspaper adverts and window displays with the modern world of technology, creating eye catching marketing and stunning videos. Newton Fallowell ensure they don’t leave a stone unturned and your property reaches the maximum audience to ensure you receive the very best offer on your property.

https://www.newtonfallowell.co.uk/leicester-forest-east-estate-agents/

BECOME A BUSINESS FESTIVAL PARTNER

Becoming a Business Festival partner has numerous benefits, including unparalleled exposure, guaranteed value for money, access to new business leads as well as importantly, demonstrating a real commitment to the local business community.

No matter what size, any business or organisation can get involved. Each partnership is bespoke and tailored to suit individual requirements, to ensure partners get the most out of their arrangement with the Business Festival and see a substantial return on their investment that is aligned with their strategic business objectives.

For more information or an informal discussion on how to become a Business Festival partner, contact Ian Morris on 0116 464 5995

VENUE

PARTNERS

The Business Festival works with venue partners who can offer free or discounted space to event organisers to hold their events during the festival fortnight. In doing so, venue partners can maximise their exposure to the business community and demonstrate a true commitment to collaborative working and investment in our city and county.

To become an LBF venue partner, contact us on 0116 464 5995 or email hello@leicesterbusinessfestival.com

To enquire about using an LBF venue, please get in touch with the venue directly. See contact details below.

Venue partners