York Business Week 13-19 November 2018

York Business Week is back and shaping up to be the ‘biggest and best yet’ according to organisers Make It York.

York Business Week 2018 will take place from 13-19 November, with a wide range of events running across the city. Based around four core themes, the week’s events will focus firmly on the future: both futureproofing the city’s economy and helping businesses take steps to secure long-term success. 

Andrew Sharp, Head of Business at Make it York, says: “Our themes this year are world class York; start-up to scale-up; innovation; and skills and talent; and we have curated a programme of events to inspire and help the region’s businesses set strong foundations for future success.”

The York Business Week conference on Tuesday 13 November will get the week off to a flying start, welcoming a host of well-known businesses leaders to York Racecourse to share some of the secrets of their success. Speakers include Richard Harpin, founder and CEO of FTSE 250 firm Homeserve, and Tim Leigh, whose creative construction company Stage One Creative has been involved in every single Olympic opening and closing ceremony since 2004.  Andrew Swift CEO of FERA Science Ltd will also take to the stage, highlighting the city’s world leading strengths in science and technology.

SUPERNetworking will be incorporated into the conference day on Tuesday 13 November and will run from 1pm-3pm and be hosted by Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, Ian Walker & Co and FSB. It will include the usual exhibitor format and new networking activities for delegates to take part in during the lunch session. There will be around 30-35 exhibitors to meet with and activities such as speed networking will form a key part of SUPERNetworking. You can find out more about York Business Week and how to book a ticket to attend as a delegate here http://www.yorkbusinessweek.co.uk

TEDxYork will also be taking place during York Business Week (Friday 16th November), aimed to inspire, educate and bring new ideas worth sharing to the city.  The event will be a carefully curated combination of TED talk videos, live presenters from all over the world and local people sharing innovative ideas, insights and deep discussions. 

Heather Niven, organiser and also Head of Science City York at Make It York says, “We will be exploring how technology, creativity and innovation intermingle and how immersive technology can transform the understanding of the past, the experiences of the present and the shaping of the future.”

The TEDxYork programme and website will be launching soon and tickets will go on sale at the end of September.

In an exciting and topical collaboration the York BID is set to host a special event focusing on the future of the high-street. Bill Grimsey, Government advisor and author of the influential Grimsey Review will share his views on the dramatic structural changes affecting the retail sector, from changing consumer behaviour driven by technology, to an out of date business rates system, and he will share his blueprint for change. 

The week will also see key city leaders from the public and private sectors come together with the Bank of England’s Juliette Healy to share insights into the region’s economic prospects, bring the vision for York’s economy to life and demonstrate the support that will be available to businesses to help them, and the city, grow over the next decade and beyond.

“From starting your business with a bang to taking an established business to the next level and making sure it’s set for success, this year’s York Business Week has something for everyone,” Andrew says. “As well as our own core events, we have partnered with some of the city's brightest businesses and support organisations to put together a week of insightful and inspirational content.”