York Business Festival returns to offer free practical support, insights and networking for businesses across the region

York St John University is proud to be hosting a packed programme for York Business Festival this October. Taking place across two days, attendees gain direct access to the expertise of academics and researchers from York Business School and the wider University as well as a host of invited speakers and facilitators.  

The festival is on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October with all sessions taking place at the York St John University campus on Lord Mayor’s Walk in York. The programme has around 20 different talks, workshops, exhibitions and networking opportunities.

This year’s opening keynote speaker on Wednesday is Dave Callan, the Founder of ONTO Coaching. A marketing and brand building expert who has held key positions at Manchester United and Team Sky, Dave left corporate life behind to focus on helping others achieve peak performance.

Thursday’s keynote is delivered by Sir Richard Harpin, Founder of HomeServe and Growth Partner. Born and educated in Yorkshire, Sir Richard Harpin is one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs and a passionate advocate for helping the next generation develop entrepreneurial skills and confidence.   

Attendees can also discover the expertise available through York Business School, York St John University and our partners, including business advice, student talent, research collaborations, and our Business and Law consultancy clinics.  

Professor Brendan Paddison, Dean of York Business School said:  

"York Business School is delighted to be coordinating this year’s York Business Festival, a celebration of the businesses, entrepreneurs and people who make York such a vibrant and ambitious place to live, work, invest and study. 

“We've listened to businesses to create a programme that tackles today's most pressing opportunities and challenges; supporting organisations to innovate, grow and prepare for the future.  There’s so much to look forward to, from fascinating leadership insights from our keynotes to free practical sessions on core business skills. We want attendees to gain fresh ideas, new connections and inspiration to take away.

“As a university we strive to support and sustain our community at all levels and want to ensure that the festival is accessible to all. My thanks to our partners and sponsors who have enabled us to put together this inspiring free event to benefit the region’s businesses, no matter how small or how new.  Time away from the office doesn’t get much more valuable than this.”  

Dave Callan, Founder of ONTO Coaching said:  

“Founders and business leaders should all find the time to take themselves away from the day-to-day to focus on themselves and to work on their business, not in it.  

“York Business Festival have worked hard to provide a platform to make these opportunities really accessible for those who want to get more clarity and take some practical takeaways into the next phase of their growth."  

Sir Richard Harpin, Founder of HomeServe and Growth Partner, who was born and raised in Yorkshire, says it has always meant a huge amount to him:  

“Yorkshire is where some of my earliest entrepreneurial ideas started, so I’m really looking forward to coming back and being part of the York Business Festival.

“I’m a big believer that you can accelerate your own success by learning from people who have already made the mistakes, found what works and are willing to share it. Events like this are a great opportunity to meet other ambitious people, build your network and come away with practical ideas you can put into action. 

“In my keynote, I’ll be sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned from building HomeServe from an idea into a £4 billion business, and the nine steps I believe can help entrepreneurs build and scale a great business. I want people to leave with things they can actually use, whether they’re just starting out or already running a growing company.”   

York Business Festival is organised by York Business School at York St John University in partnership with York Press, and supported by City of York Council, York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, Make it York and York BID.

All events are free of charge but booking is essential. Full programme details and booking is available now via York Business Festival | York St John University