Member Article

Forum event gets North East inspired

Hundreds of entrepreneurs turned out last week to hear from successful start-ups and inspirational speakers at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Inspired6 conference.

The event, held at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel, was billed as the most important that the Entrepreneurs’ Forum had ever held, due to the turbulent economic situation businesses have been dealing with in recent months.

The North East’s entrepreneurial spirit was shown to be alive and kicking, as representatives of firms from an array of industries arrived in upbeat mood. The speakers throughout the day included polar explorer Pen Hadow, Daisy Communications CEO Matthew Riley, and Martin Lightbody, CEO of the Finsbury Food Group.

Barclays Bank CEO John Varley, revealed his thoughts on the present economic crisis via a live video link from Canary Wharf.

He said: “The banks mustn’t hide. We have said sorry, but we mustn’t hide. Look what happened when the banks hid in Japan in the early 90s - the economy went into shutdown.

“The worst of the banking crisis is behind us, but the worst of the economic crisis is in front of us.”

Richard Farleigh, former Dragons’ Den star, talked about the BBC show’s positive influence on those wanting to launch businesses.

“It’s been fantastic. It’s brought USPs, patents, gross margins and that sort of talk into people’s homes and gives people thinking of starting their own business a reality check,” he said.

Forum Chief Executive Carole Beverley said: “Today’s event was more significant than ever and it was wonderful to see so many entrepreneurs taking time out of their businesses to listen to our great speakers and talk to their peers about what they are doing to try to thrive in these difficult times.

“It has been a truly inspirational event and one that really epitomised what the Forum is all about.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .