A packed audience at the East Midlands Growth Conference, with a speaker on screen and a Macildowie roller banner visible at the front.

Leicester

East Midlands Growth Conference 2027

One day. Practical insights. No padding.

We’re delighted to announce that the University of Leicester wants us back again next year, following the huge success of September’s East Midlands Growth Conference.

The East Midlands business community is navigating a genuinely complex environment: rising costs, funding pressures, AI disruption, leadership pipelines under strain, and a generation of business owners without a real exit plan. We've curated a programme that addresses every one of those challenges, in a single day, in one room.

Book in Today

17th September 2027

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

University of Leicester

Attendees seated in a lecture theatre at the East Midlands Growth Conference.

Are you ready for growth?

If you're building, scaling, or positioning for exit - balancing rising costs, funding decisions, AI adoption and succession all at once - this day was designed for you. It's built for MDs, CEOs, CFOs, FDs and senior leaders of growing East Midlands businesses, and for owners considering a full exit or partial sale.

What we got up to last year

East Midlands Growth Conference 2026 | Thursday 17th September 2026 | University of Leicester Business School

Time	Session	Speaker(s)	Duration
Session 1 9.30 – 10.45 (to be seated by 9.20am for a warm welcome from Professor Mohamed Shaban)
9.30 – 10.00	The Economy Matters, what you do matters more	Speaker: Tim Davis (London Stock Exchange)	30 mins
10.00 – 10.40	Funding for Growth & Exit Corporate finance, private equity, how to access capital and structure for an exit	Speaker: Adam Huckerby & Paul Bevan	40 mins
Break - Comfort Break & Exhibition \| 10.45 – 11.05
Session 2 11.05 – 12.30
11.05 – 11.30	Alternative Banking for SMEs Alternative models and financial solutions for growing businesses	Speaker: Tom Kiddle	25 mins
11.30 – 11.55	Building a High-Performing Board When to bring in NEDs and fractional leaders, and how to leverage them	Speaker: Aaron Baker & Paul Bevan	25 mins
11.55 – 12.25	AI & Technology for Growth Practical ways to increase output and efficiency without increasing headcount	Speaker: Adrian Tripp & Paul Bratcher	30 mins
Lunch - Lunch & Networking \| 12.30 – 13.30
Session 3 13.30 – 14.45
13.30 – 13.55	Leadership & Resilience High performance Leadership. Resilience, judgement and leading effectively under pressure.	Speaker: Andy Gallimore	25 mins
13.55 – 14.20	Culture vs Strategy Does culture still drive performance?	Speaker: Sophie Turner	25 mins
14.20 – 14.45	How Your Marketing Should Work in 2026 Optimise your Marketing without increasing headcount. Demand generation and sustainable sales.	Speaker: Sam Evans & Dave Southey	25 mins
Break - Comfort Break & Exhibition \| 14.45 – 15.10
Session 4 15.10 – 16.30
15.10 – 15.30	Procurement for Profit Improving margins without growing revenue	Speaker: Nick Jenkinson	20 mins
15.30 – 15.55	How High Growth Businesses Think Differently About Hiring	Speaker: Darius Matusiak	25 mins
15.55 – 16.20	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	Speaker: Barnaby Kent	25 mins
16.20 – 16.30	Final Q&A and Feedback

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

Why the East Midlands has been waiting for this

Hosted by Macildowie Group in partnership with the University of Leicester Business School, the conference takes place in the Peter Jackson Lecture Theatre — a world-class setting for a conversation the region has been waiting to have. 100+ senior leaders, one room, a full day of practical sessions from people who are actually dealing with the challenges you're facing.

"The ability to network with different people who I wouldn't normally come across in my working life has been spot on!"

"The event was very insightful. I learned a lot about growth share options which is something that we're considering as a business."

"This event has been phenomenal... we have talked about utilising new technology which the next generation is more invested in."

"Today was a really good day. It was all about learning new things around AI, sales techniques, leadership & building culture within organisations."

"These events are great for networking moments to really connect with people & help grow our businesses for the future."

Book in Today

Seats are limited. MDs, CEOs, CFOs, FDs and senior leaders — if you're building, scaling, or positioning for exit, register now.