Alumni Network Annual Conference

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08:30 Breakfast and registration 

Tea, coffee, and networking.

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09:00 Opening Remarks from the conference chair

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09:10 welcome address

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09:20 What It Takes to Grow and Monetise an Authentic Digital Community

Justine Roberts has been named among the world’s Top 500 influential CEOs. In this keynote session, she will share how she grew a business started in her living room, with limited funding and a small team, into a trusted national platform that partners with brands, policymakers, and organisations to improve the lives of parents. She’ll explore how SMEs can balance a strong community ethos with the commercial realities of scaling a successful digital business.

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10:00 Mid-morning Break

Tea, coffee, and networking.

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10:30 PANEL DISCUSSION – FINDING GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Discover where real growth opportunities lie for your business in a fast-changing market. This session brings together leaders who have successfully unlocked avenues to scale by challenging assumptions and adapting with purpose. You’ll hear where opportunities exist for SMEs in public procurement and how government is removing barriers to help smaller firms win more contracts; how strategic pivots can transform a niche idea into a global brand; and how to spot emerging opportunities within your own customer base by understanding what high-growth businesses do differently. The session will end with practical, actionable steps to help you identify your next growth opportunity.

Chaired by:

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11:15 Fireside chat – Leading with purpose in a competitive market

Join Huib van Bockel, founder of TENZING Natural Energy, and Deepak Ravindran, co-founder of Oddbox and executive coach, in a fireside chat chaired by Denise Nurse, BBC and former Sky News presenter. They’ll share their experiences building purpose-driven businesses, from scaling mission-led brands and navigating investment and resource challenges to inspiring teams and winning over customers. Deepak brings over 20 years of leadership experience across startups and Fortune 500 companies, while Huib draws on his experience growing TENZING against global giants. This session offers practical insights and inspiration for leading with purpose in a competitive market.

Chaired by:

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12:00 Lunch

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Afternoon workshops

Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in three interactive workshop sessions, each offering a choice of practical topics designed to help drive your business forward.

13:00 workshop block 1

Why AI isn’t working for you yet (and the three shifts that fix it)

You might have tried AI — ChatGPT, tools your team never uses — and it hasn’t stuck. This session will show that it’s not a technical problem, but a mindset and implementation one. Mary will show where businesses really get stuck with AI and the three shifts that turn experimentation into everyday use. You’ll leave with practical first steps you can apply immediately.

In 45 minutes, you’ll:

• See where your current approach is stalling
• Learn the three shifts that make AI work
• Walk away ready to achieve your first practical AI win

Accelerate your Growth Action Planning through insights from leadership psychology

Help to Grow: Management Course evaluation data indicates that Growth Action Planning is connected to benefits such as improved leadership and management skills, and greater awareness of factors that drive business growth. However, many leaders still find it challenging to translate these insights into tangible results. This session explores the often-hidden dimensions of leadership psychology that can unlock potential and accelerate sustainable business growth. 

Attendees will:

• Reflect on the effectiveness of their change planning and implementation
• Learn key skills and mindsets from leadership psychology
• Leave with renewed focus and actions to accelerate your growth ambitions

Expanding into new markets: making the right growth choices

Entering new markets can be one of the most powerful and risky growth decisions an SME can make. This session will help you cut through complexity by clarifying where your business creates value today and how that can translate into new segments, channels, or geographies. You’ll be guided through a structured approach to evaluating opportunities and making confident, evidence-led market entry decisions.

Attendees will:

• Gain a clear understanding of growth and new market development, including where their business is best placed to expand
• Identify and prioritise 2–3 new market opportunities based on attractiveness and strategic fit
• Leave with a practical market entry playbook, including clear strategic choices and a 90-day test-and-learn plan

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13:45 break

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14:00 workshop block 2

Strategic productivity – turning a narrative into action

Join Professor Bart van Ark for a practical workshop on making productivity a core driver of business growth.

Attendees will:

• Explore the five key productivity drivers

• Learn how to turn a productivity narrative into clear, actionable priorities

• Take part in live polling and discussions to identify 1–2 actions to implement within 30 days

Skills for growth: building the workforce your business needs

With many SMEs balancing day-to-day delivery alongside longer-term workforce planning, this session creates space to step back and think strategically about skills development, productivity and growth. Ade will cover current UK skills trends, including the impact of digital transformation and AI, and explore how SMEs can make the most of local training, funding and support available through devolution and partnerships with combined authorities and education providers.

You’ll leave with:

• A clearer understanding of the UK skills landscape and what it means for your business
• Practical ways to identify future skills needs and plan your workforce more effectively
• Insight into apprenticeships as a strategic tool, including funding, incentives and real-world examples

Shift your sales approach: mindset, message and meaningful conversations

Discover how sales can be enjoyable and empowering when approached with the right mindset, a simple structure, and a clear message.

Attendees will:

• Learn to communicate their value with confidence

• Create a compelling value proposition that attracts the right customers

• Apply practical tools and the RELATE Sales Process to drive meaningful growth

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14:45 break

During this break, we will be joined by a Government Minister.

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15:00 workshop block 3

Organisational justice as a growth lever for SMEs

Sustainable growth in SMEs depends not only on strategy and finance, but also on how fairly people experience leadership and decision-making. Drawing on Joanna’s applied business psychology and consultancy experience, this session will explore how fairness influences trust, engagement, performance, and retention, and how SMEs can embed these principles to support sustainable growth.

Key takeaways will include:

• Understanding the three pillars of organisational justice 

• How leadership decisions shape engagement and performance 

• Practical ways to embed fairness into leadership, people management and change 

Cyber defences: practical steps for SMEs

Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and SMEs are increasingly in the firing line. This practical session will help you understand the risks and strengthen your organisation’s resilience.

In this session you will:

• Understand the current most prevalent cyber threats for SMEs

• Learn your responsibilities in maintaining a strong cyber security posture
• Receive practical, actionable steps to improve your defences – from quick, low-cost measures you can implement immediately to longer-term actions that build cyber maturity

Social media on a shoestring

Struggling to manage social media without the budget for an agency or dedicated support? Building on last year’s popular guerrilla marketing session, this practical workshop will show you how to build a high-impact presence with minimal spend.

Attendees will:

• Learn proven, low-cost tactics for effective social content

• Discover time-saving strategies to stay consistent

• Leave with 3–5 actionable steps they can implement immediately

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15:45 break

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16:00 Purpose, People, and Practical Lessons for Thriving Teams

Drawing on 20 years of experience building and advising global communities from startups to social enterprises including, Rebel Book Club, Raaise, and Good with AI – Ben will share insights on how clearer purpose, stronger communities, and smarter use of technology can give organisations their real edge.

This energising session will offer practical lessons and inspiration to help attendees build their own thriving communities of purpose.

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16:50 Closing Remarks from the conference chair

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17:00 Doors close

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Please note: speakers, timings or format of our events may change due to circumstances beyond our control. We will inform delegates of any changes at the earliest opportunity.

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Where is the Help to Grow: Management – Alumni Network Annual Conference taking place?  

Convene, Sancroft 

Rose Street, Paternoster Square 

London EC4M 7DQ 

How do I download the Whova event app?

Details of how to download the Whova event app will be sent no earlier than Monday 9th February.

Can I arrive later in the day? 

Yes. While the programme is designed to offer value throughout the morning, we understand that not everyone can attend from the start. Please join us whenever you can – we’d love to see you, even if it’s only for part of the day.

If you need to leave early or miss a session you were planning to attend, presentation slides will be available in the app shortly after the event. 

What are the benefits to using an event app?   

The Whova app brings the entire conference together in one place. You can: 

• View the full agenda 

• Register for afternoon workshops 

• Connect with fellow alumni 

• Access key event information before, during, and after the event 

You can choose how much information to share when you first sign in to the app. 

If you would like to disable your information being shared with other attendees but would like to use the app to access the agenda and sign up to workshops, navigate to Your Profile > Settings > Profile visibility 

You will have access to the event app for three months after the conference. In the app you can access your notes and slides from the workshops as well as reach out to other attendees.

How do I register for the afternoon workshops?  

Afternoon workshops are listed in the app. Simply tap the sessions you’re interested in to register. Places are first come, first served.  

If two workshops take place at the same time you wish to attend, we recommend attending the one most relevant to you and your business. Resources from all workshops will be available in the app and on the event website shortly after the event. 

I expressed interest in a different workshop when registering. Can I change my mind on the day? 

You can update your workshop RSVP in the app at any time before the session starts. Alternatively, you can go directly to the workshop at the scheduled time and a member of the Help to Grow: Management Alumni team will register you at the start of the session. 

I need to change the dietary information I provided on the registration form — who should I contact? 

If you need to change your dietary information, please notify the registration team upon arrival at the event. Please note that specific dietary requirements and allergens may be difficult to cater for, however we will do our best to accommodate them. 

I have a question for a speaker – how can I ask it? 

For morning keynote sessions, you can submit questions via the app, which will be put to the speakers during their sessions. For workshops, questions will be taken at the end of each session. 

I’ve seen an attendee I’d like to connect with – how should I do this? 

Attendees who wish to share their information will be available to connect with via the event app, you can connect via the Attendees button in the bottom navigation. There are discussion topics in the Community section – all set up to help you network! 

What is the “Photos” section on the app homepage? 

This is where we’ll upload professional photos from the day, and where you can also share any photos you take during the day. Please note that you can delete a photo you have uploaded but not any that another user has uploaded. If you see a photo in the gallery that you would like removed, please contact one of the Help to Grow: Management staff at the event on the day. 

Who is exhibiting on the day? 

We have an exciting lineup of exhibitors, each selected to provide advice or services to UK SMEs. You can view a full list of exhibitors within the Exhibitor tile on the home page of the app.  

You can view a full list of those exhibiting at the event here.

I have feedback on the Help to Grow: Management Course – who should I speak to? 

We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback on the curriculum or the wider Help to Grow: Management Alumni offering, please visit the Help to Grow: Management Alumni stand in the exhibition area – the team would love to speak with you.  

Will the event be live-streamed? 

The event will not be live-streamed. However, selected session recordings will be made available in the app and on the event webpage shortly after the event. 

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Please note: speakers, timings or format of our events may change due to circumstances beyond our control. We will inform delegates of any changes at the earliest opportunity.