Wednesday 8 October 2025
09:00 - 13:00
Manchester Hall

Headline Sponsors

The North West Family Business Conference will highlight the unique place that family businesses hold in the regional economy.The half-day conference will be fully interactive, giving every delegate the chance to shape the conversation through a series of round tables - as well a panel discussion to summarise the morning’s conversation.With major inheritance tax changes looming that could significantly reshape the landscape for family businesses, leaders must urgently assess how these shifts will affect their long-term vision.Now is the moment to ask: should you reorganise ownership structures, adapt a succession strategy, or even consider an exit?We’ll also be encouraging debate about nurturing talent from within and giving the right job to the right family member, at the right time of their lives, while also achieving work/life balance in an environment when work life is also home life.

Headline Sponsors

Venue

đź“Ť 36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT0.4 mile from St Peter's Square Tram Stop
0.6 mile from Manchester Victoria Train Station
0.3 mile from the nearest car park (NCP Manchester Spinningfields)

Thursday 22nd October 2026
09:00 - 13:00
Hilton Leeds City Hotel

Headline Sponsors

Yorkshire's Family Business Conference is back and is set to highlight the importance of family businesses to the regional economy and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.The day will be fully interactive, giving all delegates the chance to shape the conversation through a series of roundtables, as well as a keynote and panel discussion.The exclusive event for family businesses will cover important issues such as automation, AI and digital transformation through to selling the business.Starting at 9am and running through until 1pm, there will be plenty of time for networking, with lunch also provided for delegates.

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Venue

đź“Ť Hilton Leeds City, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4BX0.3 mile from Leeds Train Station

Thursday 22nd October 2026
09:00 - 13:00
Hilton Leeds City Hotel

Headline Sponsors

AGENDA

9:00 - 9:30

Arrival & Registration

9:30 - 10:00

Panel Discussion

Automation, AI and Digital Transformation Won't Replace Your Business. But They Might Replace Your Competitor.

Key themes include:
• Building the family business of the future through automation and AI.
• Using automation to improve efficiency, productivity and customer experience.
• Where automation delivers the greatest commercial value—and where it doesn't.
• Balancing technology with human expertise and family values.
• How jobs, skills and leadership are evolving.
• Investing in the technologies that will create long-term competitive advantage.

10:00 - 11:00

Roundtable Session

If your biggest competitor embraced AI tomorrow, what would they be able to do better than you?

11:00 - 11:20

Refreshments & Networking

11:20 - 11:50

Panel Discussion

Built to Last… or Built to Sell?Key themes include:
• Building a business that's fit for succession-or attractive for sale.
• The impact of pensions, inheritance tax and changing tax policy on long-term planning.
• What private equity and investors look for in family businesses.
• Preserving family values while considering external investment.
• The emotional and financial realities of selling a family business.
• Preparing today for the options you may want tomorrow.

11:50 - 12:10

Roundtable Session

What matters more to you: legacy, independence or growth?

12:10 - 13:00

Lunch & Networking

Headline Sponsors

Wednesday 8 October 2025
09:00 - 13:00
Manchester Hall

Headline Sponsors

AGENDA

9:00 - 9:30

Arrival & Registration

9:30 - 9:45

Welcome from Michael Taylor, North West Editor, TheBusinessDesk.com

9:45 - 10:00

Keynote speech - Will Lees-Jones, Managing Director, JW Lees

10:00 - 10:30

Roundtable session: Planning for the FutureWhether planning for the succession of the next generation, or taking a strategic decision to do something significant (capital raise, or go for growth), the key is to take time to do so way in advance. With major inheritance tax changes looming that could significantly reshape the landscape for family businesses, leaders must urgently assess how these shifts will affect their long-term vision. Now is the moment to ask: should you reorganise ownership structures, adapt a succession strategy, or even consider an exit? This strategic discussion will weigh up the various options for the boards of family owned businesses.

10:30 - 10:40

Post roundtable discussion

10:40 - 11:00

Refreshment break

11:00 - 11:30

Roundtable session: Talent development in a family businessBy their nature family businesses are unique and centred on the family unit. But to be successful many blend external talent with homegrown family expertise. Sometimes family members spend time out of the business accruring skills and experiences for the long term, greater good. Is there a secret formula to getting this right? and how have businesses successfully managed to create a culture based on excellence, merit and family values.

11:30 - 11:40

Post roundtable discussion

11:40 - 12:15

Panel: Your Questions Answered

12:15 - 13:00

Buffet lunch & networking

Headline Sponsors

Thursday 22nd October 2026
09:00 - 13:00
Hilton Leeds City Hotel

Headline Sponsors

Please email events@thebusinessdesk.com for any enquiries.

Wednesday 8 October 2025
09:00 - 13:00
Manchester Hall

Headline Sponsors

Please email events@thebusinessdesk.com for any enquiries.

Headline Sponsors

23 NOVEMBER 2024
08:15 - 13:00
HOLYWELL PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 3GR

HEADLINE SPONSORS

The Midlands Family Business Conference will highlight the unique place that family businesses hold in the Midlands economy.This all-morning event will gather together family business owners and other professionals from across the region to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the vitally important sector.The Midlands Family Business Conference will be fully interactive, giving every delegate the chance to shape the conversation through a panel discussion and a series of round tables - as well as featuring a high-profile keynote speaker.

This exclusive event will cover:- Succession planning - the drive for transparency- How to successfully integrate the best talent from outside the family- Nurturing talent from within - giving the right job to the right family member- Achieving work/life balance - when work life is also home life, switching off is vital- Settling disputes - how to ensure harmonious family relations in the workplace- Sustainability - family businesses are in a unique position to drive the sustainability agenda - how they lead the way- The family business of the future - from digital integration to AI, how can family businesses ensure they keep at the cutting edge of technology?

HEADLINE SPONSORS

SPONSORS

23 NOVEMBER 2024
08:15 - 13:00
HOLYWELL PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 3GR

HEADLINE SPONSORS

AGENDA

8:15 - 8:45

Welcome & Registration

8:55 - 9:30

Keynote speech - Ian Stewart, Marketing Director, MHR

9:30 - 10:20

Roundtable sessions: Strategy and Growth

10:20 - 11:10

Roundtable sessions:1. HR and Recruitment
2. Succession and the Family Plan x2
3. Money and Finance

11:10 - 11:40

Refreshment break

11:50 - 12:40

Panel Discussion- Laura Colton-Smith, Managing Director, Colton Packaging
- Paul Faulkner, Chief of Staff and Operations, RCL Partners
- Ian Stewart, Marketing Director, MHR
- Alice Rees, Partner & Solicitor, Nelsons
- Becky Valentine, Co-owner, Sustainability & Building Health Consultant, Spenbeck

12:40 - 13:00

Event close & lunch

HEADLINE SPONSORS

SPONSORS

23 NOVEMBER 2024
08:15 - 13:00
HOLYWELL PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 3GR

HEADLINE SPONSORS

Registration is now CLOSEDPlease email events@thebusinessdesk.com for any inquiries.

HEADLINE SPONSORS

SPONSORS