Events
Your business: growth, scale and exit
Event details:
When: Wednesday 13 November, 10am-1pm
Where: De Montfort University, HU0.37 The Trading Floor, Hugh Aston Building, The Newarke, Leicester, LE2 7BY

Come along to "Your business: growth, scale, and exit" an exclusive event designed to equip businesses with the tools, information, and insights needed to plan for growth, scale, and exit in today's dynamic market.
Knowing everything is challenging when starting a business; when your business is growing it needs to run well, and needs to be ready for further growth. Business growth requires meticulous planning – and effective planning is the cornerstone of successful growth.
Please note: this event has now taken place. You can view a copy of the presentations here.
This event, in collaboration with De Montfort University and held at their cutting-edge Trading Floor, is tailored for businesses seeking growth and new opportunities.
Located within the Faculty of Business and Law, DMU’s Trading Floor offers a realistic simulation of an investment environment, providing students and professionals alike with hands-on experience in the world of finance. With access to industry-leading software like Bloomberg, the Trading Floor is one of the largest in the UK and a hub for financial learning and real-time market analysis. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to experience this unique setting, which cultivates an immersive, hands-on understanding of finance and business strategy, along with a guided tour of our state-of-the-art facilities.
Throughout the afternoon, we’ll explore a variety of growth pathways, including innovative funding models like the Government’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK’s grant-funded partnerships that connect businesses with academic expertise, and strategies for effective business exits when the time is right.
Expert speakers from Innovate UK, DASA, and Smart Business Recovery will provide actionable insights and guidance, ensuring you understand the support systems available to business founders as you navigate growth challenges. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with De Montfort University’s academic experts and network with like-minded professionals.
The event will feature tailored breakout sessions, where you can delve into topics such as Innovate UK grant funding, business exit strategies, and securing DASA funding. These interactive sessions allow you to ask questions and seek advice directly related to your business goals.
Speakers include:
- Mark Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Leicestershire Business Voice
- Anjuu Trevedi, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Innovation, De Montfort University
- Matthew Potter, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, De Montfort University
- Gavin Bates, Director and Insolvency Practitioner, Smart Business Recovery Limited
- Kamran Hussein, Knowledge Transfer Advisor, Innovate UK KTN
- Jasbir Shanker, Innovation Partner- East Midlands, Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)
Welcome tea, coffee and biscuits will be available, and a light lunch will be served in the Yard at 12.30pm.
This event is free to both members and non-members of Leicestershire Business Voice, and tickets can be booked here.
If you have any questions please direct enquiries to [email protected].
Event Agenda:
10:00 – 10:15 | ARRIVAL, REFRESHMENTS and NETWORKING
All Attendees and speakers |
10:15 – 10:20 | WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Leicestershire Business Voice- Mark Robinson |
10:20 – 10:25 | WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
De Montfort University- Anjuu Trevedi |
10:25 – 10:35
10:35-10:45 |
PRESENTATION BY JASBIR SHANKER, DASA, and MARK DUMVILLE, GMV
Jasbir Shanker, Innovation Partner- East Midlands, DASA, will talk about DASA’s unique funding model, providing an in-depth look at how it operates and the benefits it offers to business and academia. Mark Dumville, CEO at GMV. Additionally, there will be a testimony from a beneficiary who will share their personal experience and highlight the impact of DASA’s support on their work or project. |
10:45 – 10:55
10:55- 11:05 |
PRESENTATION BY KAMRAN HUSSEIN, INNOVATE UK KTN
Kamran Hussein, Knowledge Transfer Advisor at Innovate UK KTN, will discuss the significant ways in which businesses can leverage academic expertise and research rigor to drive innovation and growth. He will explore the value of connecting industry with academic institutions to solve complex challenges, enhance product development, and improve overall competitiveness. Harsh Shah, Data Analytics Manager, East Midlands Chamber, will discuss his journey as a KTP associate, and demonstrate the value that a recent graduate can add to a business. Professor David Rae TBC |
11:05 – 11.25 | PRESENTATION BY GAVIN BATES, SMART BUSINESS RECOVERY
Gavin Bates will speak to the audience about exit plans and the various forms they can take, such as selling all or part of the company, merging with another business, passing it on to family members. |
11:25 -11:40 | PRESENTATION BY MATTHEW POTTER, DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
Matthew Potter, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at De Montfort University, will deliver a talk on the university’s state-of-the-art trading floor. |
11:55 – 12:30 | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Speakers will host breakout sessions, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in focused discussions and interactive workshops on various topics. These sessions will provide a platform for in-depth learning and networking with industry experts. After the breakout sessions, a lunch will be served, allowing participants to continue conversations and build connections in a more relaxed setting Group 1- DASA/Innovate UK- Trading Floor Group 2- Exit (Smart Business Recovery)- Ground floor of The Yard |
12:30 – 13:00 | LUNCH, NETWORKING AND COP- GROUND FLOOR OF THE YARD
Speakers will host breakout sessions, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in focused discussions and interactive workshops on various topics. These sessions will provide a platform for in-depth learning and networking with industry experts. After the breakout sessions, a lunch will be served, allowing participants to continue conversations and build connections in a more relaxed setting |
Note: This event has expired.