This is an inaugural event for Suffolk Director magazine, who along with its sister publications, Essex Director and Norfolk Director, has one very simple aim, to help run your business better.

Brought to you in association with Ellisons Solicitors, Paddy & Scott’s, Ensors, University of Suffolk and Pound Gates, the event aims to inspire and motivate, as well as being useful and informative.

It is open to sole traders, directors, entrepreneurs, partners and owners of businesses from all market sectors. As well as providing opportunities to network with other business leaders, attendees will be positively encouraged to question the keynote speakers, and the panel of experts; all with a focus on sharing knowledge and experience and stimulating a healthy discussion around the real issues that are currently of concern to businesses in the area.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

The event is divided into two sections interspersed with opportunities to network:

8.30am: Arrival and registration. Attendees will gather for coffee, tea and pastries at Paddy & Scott’s Ambition House Café on Ipswich Waterfront.

9.15am: Taking place at the Lecture Theatre at the University of Suffolk Waterfront Building, part one will be presentations by keynote speakers, Minnie Moll, CE of the Design Council, and previously CE of Jarrold Retail and Joint CE of East of England Co-op, and environmentalist, entrepreneur and Suffolk organic farmer, William Kendall DL. They will talk about their career journey, along with the highs, lows and challenges they have faced along the way. There will be opportunities for attendees to ask questions after their presentations.

10.15am: Break for networking and refreshments served in Paddy & Scott’s.

10.45am: Back in the Lecture Theatre for part two, the Q&A session where our very own Carole Burman forms part of the panel of experts. Presented in a similar format to ‘Question Time’, this will be an opportunity to discuss and put questions to a panel made up of experts representing professional services in legal, HR and finance, as well as business leaders who are at the ‘coal face’ of running their own organisations, and who have ‘real’ experience and knowledge they can share. Please note this will be a closed session and take place under the ‘Chatham House Rule’, which allows anyone to use the information discussed but without revealing who made any particular comment.