East Midlands Growth Conference 2026

Date: Thursday, 17th September 2026

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: In-person at the University of Leicester

This isn't another networking breakfast.

The East Midlands Growth Conference brings together 100+ business leaders for a full day of commercially focused, expert-led sessions at University of Leicester Business School.

No padding. No theory for its own sake. PRACTICAL insight you can act on, from people who have been there, who are experts in their own particular field.

The East Midlands business community is navigating a genuinely complex environment. Rising costs. Funding pressures. AI disruption. Leadership pipelines/succession under strain. A generation of business owners without a real exit plan or funded growth strategy.

We've curated a programme that addresses every one of those challenges — in a single day, in one room, with the people who are actually dealing with them.

What's on the agenda

Morning -

• Economic Outlook - University of Leicester economist sets the context for 2026 and beyond
• Funding for Growth & Exit - Corporate finance, private equity, and the London Stock Exchange: how to access capital and structure for an exit.
• Banking for SMEs - Alternative models and financial solutions for growing businesses
• Building a High-Performing Board - When to bring in NEDs and fractional leaders, and how to leverage them
• ESG & Exit Valuation - Why Planet vs Profit is the wrong framing, and how ESG drives your exit multiple

Lunch –

• Networking Opportunity

Afternoon -

• Culture vs Strategy - Does culture still drive performance? A debate worth having
• AI & Technology for Growth - Practical ways to increase output and efficiency without increasing headcount
• Marketing for Real Revenue Growth - Demand generation and sustainable sales, not vanity metrics
• Procurement for Profit - Improving margins without growing revenue
• Motivating Gen Z - Succession, mentorship, and keeping your next generation engaged
• Neurodiversity in the Workplace - The performance advantage you're probably underutilising
• Leadership & Resilience - Wellbeing and mental toughness for high-pressure environments
• Closing Session: The Growth Playbook for 2026 and Beyond - Actionable priorities to take back to your business from someone who has been there, done it, and continues to invest in Scale-ups.

Who this is for

MDs, CEOs, CFOs, FDs, and senior leaders of growing East Midlands businesses, or Business Leaders who are considering a full exit or partial sale.

If you're building, scaling, or positioning for exit, this day was designed for you.

The venue

Peter Jackson Lecture Theatre, University of Leicester Business School — a world-class setting for a conversation the East Midlands has been waiting to have.

Hosted by Macildowie Group in partnership with University of Leicester Business School.

Seats are limited. Register now.

9:00 am — 4:30 pm | Thursday 17th September 2026