A fortnight of impact thanks to Leicester Business Festival 2022

Early indications show more than 2,000 people registered to attend the LBF 2022 events. Over 900 businesses were engaged with the festival which is up by 32 per cent compared to 2021.

The Leicester Business Festival 2022 concluded on Friday 11 November, following a fortnight filled with more than 80 events that included tours, networking opportunities, roundtables, talks and demonstrations.

Initial feedback shows that 98 per cent of businesses rated the events they attended as ‘good to excellent’ and 92 per cent said that the festival had already had a positive impact on their business. For around 38 per cent of the businesses, this was the first time they have been involved with the festival and 21 per cent of attendees were from outside the area.

Richard Osborn, Regional director at Excello Law, Chair and a director of the LBF Community Interest Company (CiC) said: “After years of lockdown, 2022 was a significant year for LBF and we are pleased so many people have been involved and have already experienced a positive impact.

“The festival has been running for eight years and is an annual event in the calendar for businesses to take part in. We want to continue to build on the festival successes but adapt to the new ways of working too. For instance, this year we reduced the number of events held and actually this is something we feel is really important moving forward - quality over quantity.

Richard concludes: “Thank you to everyone who has been part of the festival and made it happen. This includes our headline partner De Montfort University as well as support from major business organisations including East Midlands Chamber, Brewin Dolphin and Pattersons Commercial Law.

Helen Donnellan, Pro Vice Chancellor Regional Business and Innovation at DMU, said: “At DMU, we have really enjoyed being part of this year’s 2022 Leicester Business Festival both as an attendee of events and hosting our own. Our events have already led to interesting conversations about potential projects we can get involved in.

“It has been good to learn from people from sectors across Leicester who have shared best practice and knowledge, and I think that combined with the inaugural Leicester Giving Day really does show the sense of collaboration and support in the city’s business community.”

Fresh to the 2022 festival programme was Leicester Giving Day launched by Embark CSR for companies and educational establishments to support charities and communities. Around 105 organisations actively took part in Leicester Giving Day. Social Responsibility Awards were also given to four initiatives as well as recognition of four Community Invest Programmes at the gala event on Friday 11 November which over 100 people attended. Leicester Giving Day is set to evolve and get bigger and better together over the coming years.

Stacey Wragg, Director at Embark CSR, said: “Thank you to all of the organisations who participated in the day to make it as successful as it was and a big thank you to our sponsors, AKN Build, University of Leicester and SSR Builders, without them the day would not have happened. We are already planning a bigger and better 2023 Leicester Giving Day!"

The full report for the 2022 festival will be made available in the next few weeks. Full details about the festival can be found online at www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com