Inspiring Voices, Transformative Ideas

The Festival of Business brings together a lineup of dynamic speakers - industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries—ready to share their expertise, experiences, and strategies for success.

From keynote presentations to engaging panel discussions, our speakers will provide invaluable insights into emerging trends, business growth, leadership, innovation, and more. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, expert advice, or inspiration to take your business to the next level, this is your opportunity to learn from the best.

You can hear from our speakers in the Sports Bar throughout the day.

📢 Stay tuned for speaker announcements!

Headline Speaker: George Clarke

George Clarke is an architect, designer, broadcaster, writer and campaigner. He is one of Britain’s most successful architectural TV presenters beginning his career at channel 5 before moving to Channel 4, where for the last 16 years he has been the face of some of the most successful ‘home’ shows on television. These include The Home Show, Restoration Man, Old House New Home, the globally successful George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, and his new show George Clarke: Building Home.

He is also the author of several books, including: Home Bible (Orion), and Build a New Life: by Creating Your New Home. His first children's book Building a Home, was published in 2024

His campaigning programmes include The Empty Homes Scandal, which campaigned to bring empty homes back into use and The Great British Council House Scandal, which continues today for Britain to abolish the devastating ‘Right to Buy’ policy and replace all the social housing stock successive governments have sold off since the 1980’s

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Host: Eric Dixon

We are delighted to welcome our new host - presenter, voiceover artist, journalist and media consultant, Eric Dixon.

Eric has presented programmes and read the news for BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC World Service and London’s only all-news breakfast show on News Direct 97.3FM (now LBC). Before that he was also a presenter on local BBC and independent radio stations, covering a range of programmes from early morning Breakfast shows to a late-night phone-in.

Eric has also hosted BBC Good Home Show Live, BBC Clothes Show Live, BBC Good Food Live and BBC Top Gear Live as well as the Essex Police Awards.

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Opening Speaker: Denise Rossiter - Essex Chambers of Commerce

Denise Rossiter is CEO of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, one of the 51 Accredited Chambers which together comprise the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) national network. 

Denise joined Essex Chambers in 2004, and celebrated her 20th Anniversary at the Chambers last year. Her first role was as Operations Manager, responsible for the operational control of the Chamber’s infrastructure, staffing and income generating businesses through Membership, Events & Training, and International Trade, after a wide ranging career as a qualified Credit Manager in the wine trade and pharmaceutical industry, in financial services and running her own business networking company.  

She was appointed Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce in 2010 and is passionate about customer service and communication. Denise has overseen a transformation in the way the Chamber supports its Members, external perceptions of the organisation and the development of its external engagement with politicians and policy makers at all levels of government.

Opening Speaker: Councillor Louise McKinlay - Essex County Council

Councillor Louise McKinlay is currently the Deputy Leader of Essex County Council following her re-election in May 2021, as well as being the Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity. She is proudly the first female Deputy Leader of ECC.  

Cllr McKinlay is actively leading for Essex County Council on the priority areas of spreading opportunity, economic growth and business engagement - work that former Education Secretary and Chair of The Purpose Coalition, Justine Greening, has described as “trail blazing.”

As Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Louise leads the council’s work on inward investment, major infrastructure projects and business engagement. 

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Panel Discussion: Devolution in Essex: What It Means for Business

Panel Host: Eric Dixon

Panellists:

This discussion explores how devolution can empower Essex businesses - unlocking local potential, driving infrastructure and skills, amplifying their voice in decision-making, and shaping a future economy that works for enterprise.

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Explainer: What is the Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)?

Hear from Joanne Giles, Executive Director of Essex LSIP, as she explains how the Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan is transforming the way skills are developed and delivered across the county.

Learn about the progress already being made: from tackling sector-specific shortages to creating new opportunities for training and upskilling, and the roadmap for how the Essex LSIP is helping to align what learners are taught with the skills employers actually need, so that young people and adults alike can thrive in the workplace.

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Workshop: Procurement and Bid Strategy

If are you an SME or local contractor looking to strengthen your chances of winning public sector work, join one of our Procurement and Bid Strategy workshop sessions.

This workshop is designed to help businesses bid better, navigate procurement regulation changes, and overcome key challenges in public sector bidding.

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Whilst we endeavour to ensure the attendance of our advertised speakers, exhibitors, vendors and displays, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes.
All timings are approximate and subject to change. We advise arriving as early as possible to avoid queues and missing any speakers or displays.