'Business Edge: Strategies for Growth' in London

As an ambitious business owner or Director, you need to keep spinning lots of different plates and therefore you need the very best information and advice. 'Business Edge: Strategies for Growth' in London on Thursday 29th April is the one day event tailored specifically for owners, directors and entrepreneurs that will deliver expert speakers and leading practitioners helping delegates to:

Experts and leading practitioners include:

GUY RIGBY:  Introduction to Business Growth

Guy Rigby is an experienced chartered accountant and an entrepreneur. A natural and driven enthusiast, he built and sold his own accountancy firm, as well as pursuing other commercial interests. He has been a director and part owner of a number of different companies, including businesses in the IT, property, defence, manufacturing and retail sectors. In an unusually varied career, he has been the senior partner of two accountancy firms, a finance director, a sales and marketing director and an adviser and mentor to many entrepreneurial businesses and their owners. 

Guy joined Smith & Williamson in 2008 and leads their entrepreneurial services group.  His day to day activities include advising entrepreneurs and their businesses & coordinating Smith & Williamson’s activities in this increasingly important market.

ROBIN MARSHAL: The Economic Situation

Robin Marshal is a director at Smith & Williamson focusing on the International Fixed Income market. He specialises in advising UK pension funds on multi-currency fixed-interest portfolios. Robin spent 18 years at JP Morgan Chase as an economist and strategist in fixed interest and foreign exchange, culminating in his appointment as managing director and chief economist for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He was ranked number one in Euromoney FX surveys for economic research in 1993 to 1997, as well as number one for Economic Research in the Institutional Investor European Fixed Interest Fund Manager survey for 2002. Robin is a frequent guest on Bloomberg TV and has appeared on all major business TV channels over recent years commenting on financial markets and the economic outlook. He is also quoted in the financial press and on business wire services, including Reuters and Bloomberg.

JULIE MEYER: Building an Entrepreneur Country

Julie Meyer is one of the leading champions for entrepreneurship in Europe. With over 20 years investment and advisory experience helping start-up businesses, she is the well known founder and CEO of Ariadne Capital, founder of Entrepreneur Country, co-founder of First Tuesday, dragon on BBC's Online Dragons Den and weekly columnist in London's City A.M. Julie has set her mission to build a growth story for the UK and Europe. This passion and entrepreneurial flair has earned her awards as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, World Economic Forum Global Leader of Tomorrow and a place in the Wall Street Journal's Top 30 Most Influential Women in Europe.

In addition to her weekly column for London's City A.M. and regular contributions to Business Week, Computing, FT Digital Business, Spectator Business, Julie is also a regular industry commentator on the BBC and CNBC. Most recently Julie founded Entrepreneur Country. Managed by Ariadne Capital, Entrepreneur Country is a dedicated community for leading and emerging entrepreneurs, investors, the media and corporate partners who service the start-up industry across the UK and Europe.

From 1998 to 1999, Julie was part of the team at NewMedia Investors, which became early stage investment firm SPARK Ventures in October 1999. During this time she took her first steps in the entrepreneurial arena founding First Tuesday, the largest global network of entrepreneurs, which many credit for igniting the Internet generation in Europe. It was sold for $50million in cash and shares in July 2000.

BRIAN LIVINGSTON: Corporate Finance Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Growth Businesses

Brian Livingston has specialised in corporate finance since 1989. Prior to joining Smith & Williamson, Brian was a director of 3i plc, specialising in advising institutionally backed and owner managed companies on exit and acquisition strategy as well as raising venture capital finance. Brian is a chartered accountant, qualifying in 1985 and joined Smith & Williamson in 2003.

ERIC PEACOCK: 

Using Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) in Entrepreneurial Business

Eric Peacock  The first company he bought personally was BabyGro (the kids clothing manufacturer) from its American owners, which he took 3 years later to a full stock exchange listing. Since then he has been involved as Chairman, Investor or Owner of a variety of businesses which he has subsequently taken to AIM listings or to trade sales. Eric's entrepreneurial portfolio continues to be wide and varied today. He currently chairs 8 businesses, sits on the Board of what was previously the DTi, is on the Board of The University of Hertfordshire Business School, and has just fulfilled his term on the Foreign Commonwealth Office Board.

DARREN SHIRLAW: Strategies for Successful Growth