DMU means business with events for this year's Leicester Business Festival

Helping businesses on the road to Net Zero, tackling digital skills shortages, funded support to innovate and funding advice are just some of the topics being covered at this year’s Leicester Business Festival by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

The festival – which starts on Monday November 6 - is a firm fixture in the business calendar, offering a fortnight of free events that showcase successes, celebrate collaboration, and promote innovation.

Each event focuses on key business areas such as wellbeing, sustainability, policy, finance, legal support and marketing. All are free but places have to be booked via the festival website.

DMU’s events include:

• Your guide to funding a start-up business in Leicester and Leicestershire
  
  This event will showcase the finance options and wider support available to people looking to start up a business in Leicester and Leicestershire, run in partnership with British Business Bank.
  
  
• Addressing the UK Digital Strategy through the Digital Skills Partnership 
  
  This event offers participants the chance to explore digital skills enhancement, collaboration with educational institutions, and future-proofing strategies for business. Gain valuable insights to empower your workforce and stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.
  
  
• Sustainability ROX: Get the fast track to Green Growth

               Join DMU’s Professor Christine White along with Louise Holland and Helen D’Amario from Holland Alexander to find out more about how to reduce your business’ carbon footprint – and plans for a sustainability festival in March at DMU.

• You are Good Enough

           This event brings together a panel of women to tell their real stories of how they have navigated motherhood, work and how they have used their passions to do what they do

• Brewing Innovative Ideas Roadshow: Blaby District (Drop in Session)
  
  Join our casual drop-in session to explore collaborative innovation possibilities with local universities and discover how they can help address your business challenges.
• Wednesday 15 November 12-1.30pm
  Green Goals - Creating a local sustainability sporting network
  
  This event will engage local sport sector businesses, clubs and organisations and connect them to the leading work being developed and delivered through De Montfort University on the Net Zero agenda
• Wednesday 15 November 2-4pm
  Introduction to Sustainable Business Practices: Key Tips, Insights and Practical Guidance 

DMU and the National Space Centre will provide attendees with key tips, expert insights, practical guidance, and the knowledge and tools to embrace sustainability and thrive in today’s evolving business landscape.

Helen Donnellan, Director of Research and Enterprise at De Montfort University and LBF partner, said: “Each year the festival creates a platform to collectively share knowledge, expertise, and skills from across the business sector. Great things happen when people get together with a shared mission. 

“The festival is always full of events that equip people with tried and tested tactics to navigate the ever-changing world of business. Everyone involved with the festival is committed to making it a success. Whatever stage you are at in your career you can gain something from the festival. It only happens once a year and now is the time to get dates booked in your diary and reserve your place.  

“By getting involved in the festival you are adding value to your own professional development and to working in Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Business and Law lecturer Dr Souad Moufty, a new mum, is joining a panel in an event called You Are Good Enough alongside former international hockey player Kerry Williams, Head of Women’s Rugby at Leicester Tigers, BBC Leicester’s Jo Bostock and head of communications at Leicestershire County Council Joanna Morrison. It looks at the experiences of women returning to work after having a child.

Dr Moufty is part of DMU’s Athena Swan work, which aims to support gender equality in HE and research.  She said: “As a new mum, you think you’re the only one who is suffering. When we talk about this at the event, it will become obvious that all of us regardless of what your work is, what your family situation is, you are not alone.”