“Unmissable” entrepreneurs’ conference returns after three-year absence – and tickets are selling fast

25/10/2023
Belinda Roberts

A KEY highlight of the Scottish entrepreneurial calendar is back with a bang for 2023 following a pandemic-imposed three-year hiatus. 

A limited number of tickets remain for the WeDO Entrepreneur Conference 2023, which will be held at Edinburgh’s The Place in Stockbridge on Wednesday 15 November, focusing on creating and embracing opportunities.

The programme for the networking and knowledge-sharing event features speeches from six outstanding keynote speakers, who will share insights into their success and the challenges they’ve faced and overcome along the way. 

Among those speaking are: Ian McLeod Kerr, CEO of Raven Controls and 2023 WeDO International Entrepreneur of the Year; Dr Poonam Gupta OBE, CEO of PG Paper; and Alex Brown, MD of NorDan UK and 2023 WeDO High Growth Company Award-winner.

Attendees will also hear from a range of experts on bespoke ‘Scottish Business & the Economy’ and ‘Funding & Investment’ panels made up of key representatives from business and the media, including Sunday Times columnist Gillian Bowditch and Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, delivered as highly interactive sessions with ample opportunity to ask questions. 

Additionally, there will be two ‘In Conversation’ sessions with engaging guests from business and media, covering a wide variety of topics including the economy, current challenges facing businesses, politics and all things entrepreneur-related in Scotland, as well as extensive networking opportunities throughout the conference. 

Belinda Roberts MBE, WeDO Scotland CEO and ‘Funding and Investment’ panellist, said: “It’s fantastic to be once again hosting our unmissable in-person conference, bringing together a wealth of the finest entrepreneurs, business commentators and industry experts with a focus on creating and embracing opportunities. This is the perfect chance to take the all-important time out from ‘the day job’ that all good business-leaders need in order to boost your skills and knowledge, learn from inspiring and like-minded entrepreneurs and nurture reciprocal relationships which can help your business flourish and grow. Tickets are selling fast so please don’t delay. We look forward to seeing everyone there on 15 November!”

Keynote speakers: 

  • Dr Poonam Gupta OBE – CEO, PG Paper
  • Cameron Johnston – Founder, Riixo
  • Ian McLeod Kerr – CEO, Raven Controls
  • Vikki Bruce – Co-founder and MD, MacLean & Bruce
  • Adam Bastock – Founder, Small99
  • Alex Brown – MD, NorDan UK

Scottish Business & The Economy panel:

  • Kenny Kemp (Chair) – Edinburgh Inquirer Founding Editor and Director
  • Gillian Bowditch – Columnist for The Sunday Times
  • Mairi Spowage – Director, Fraser of Allander Institute
  • Michael Glackin – Freelance journalist and former Sunday Times Scottish columnist 

Funding and Investment panel: 

  • Belinda Roberts MBE (Chair) – CEO of WeDO Scotland
  • Professor Paul Atkinson – Par Equity Partner
  • Sarah Hardy – Archangel Investors Director, Head of Investment
  • Andy Tait – CEO, Sallyport Commercial Finance

Two ‘In Conversations’ will be hosted by Richard Simpson, Tayburn brand agency owner and host of the soon-to-be-launched WeDO Podcast. The first session will be with Jason Allardyce, journalist and former editor of The Sunday Times Scotland, followed by an afternoon In Conversation with Dr Brian Williamson, Chairman of 4icg Group and one of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors.

Full conference programme: https://www.wedoscotland.com/2023-wedo-entrepreneur-conference/programme/

Tickets: https://www.wedoscotland.com/events/2023-wedo-conference/

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