Bedfordshire SME Breakfast Event

Bedfordshire Manufacturing SME Breakfast Event

Are you wanting to grow your business but don't know how? Would your organisation benefit from external expertise and insight?

Register now to hear from other SMEs on what practical tips and tools you can use to help your company thrive.

Date: 7 June

Time: 8:30 - 10:30

Venue: The Forest Centre, Forest of Marston Vale, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, MK43 0PR

For UK manufacturers difficulties have seldom seemed greater - from the COVID lockdown to resource and supply shortages to energy hikes, net zero targets and new trading relationships. However, amidst the challenges there is opportunity, for those willing to take it, not only to survive but to innovate, change and thrive.

Hear from like-minded businesses, this regional breakfast event is aimed at local SME’s who want to find out about available support and insights into how local companies are already innovating.

WMG background

WMG have been delivering transformation support for manufacturing SMEs for a long time. From Batteries and Bikes to Beer, we have helped small firms make big changes. Hear about the latest trends including how the transition to Net Zero can be a commercial opportunity.

Agenda

Time	Title	Speaker
08:30-09:00	Registration and breakfast
09:00-09:05	Welcome from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce	Justin Richardson, CEO
09:05-09:15	Key challenges and opportunities for SMEs	Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG
09:15-09:30	Sustainable Manufacturing	Helena Simmonds, Innovation Manager at WMG
09:30-09:40	The journey of an innovative SME	Steven West, Head of Operations and Charlie Gavillet Sustainability/Product Design at Armac Martin
09:40-09:55	How to grow your business as an SME	Steve Pittom, Managing Director and Stephen Blythe, Business Manager at Jaltek
09:55-10:10	Discussion inc. questions from the audience	All
10:10-10:30	Refreshments and networking
10:30	Close

Register your interest below:

First Name

Last Name

Job Title

Organisation

Contact email address

Industry

What is the size of your business?

County/Region

Postcode

Please let us know if you have any dietary or accessibility requirements (only applies if you are attending in person)

What question would you like to submit for the panel discussion?

Yes

How did you hear about the event?

Please specify

Privacy notice

The University of Warwick will process your personal data provided to WMG via your completion of the above registration page for the purpose(s) of contacting you with relevant information in relation to this event. The legal basis for processing this personal data is legitimate interests. Your personal data will not be transferred outside of the EEA, will be kept securely by the University of Warwick and will be retained for 5 years. In certain circumstances, your name, organisation, job title and business email address may be shared with specific third parties of which WMG is a centre or spoke location, who will process your personal data for the purpose(s) of providing information about relevant events, news and announcements. The University of Warwick is the Data Controller of this information and is committed to protecting the rights of individuals in line with Data Protection Legislation. Please visit the University’s Data Protection webpages https://warwick.ac.uk/services/idc/dataprotection/ for further information in relation to your rights and how the University processes your personal data. The University’s Data Protection Officer, A Bajaj, can be contacted through infocompliance@warwick.ac.uk and any requests or complaints should be made in writing to the University’s Data Protection Officer.

The University of Warwick is the Data Controller of any information you have entered on this form and is committed to protecting the rights of individuals in line with Data Protection Legislation. The University's Data Protection webpages provide further information on your rights and how the University processes personal data. Please submit any data subject rights requests to infocompliance@warwick.ac.uk or address any complaints or suspected breaches to the University's Data Protection Officer at DPO@warwick.ac.uk.

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Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes, WMG, University of Warwick

Mark leads WMG’s SME Group and its initiatives focused on helping small businesses grow through research led innovation, technology adoption, leadership and developing new skills.

The aim of the Group is to enable SME’s and Mid-Caps manufacture more in the UK through helping companies to improve their products, process and technologies by accelerating and de-risking the uptake of innovation. The Group is recognised as a national leader in how universities support innovation in SMEs.

Mark has a background in manufacturing systems, previously working for International Paper, Hasbro and BMW UK.

Helena Simmonds, Innovation Manager, WMG University of Warwick

Helena Simmonds works as an Innovation Manager with the SME team at WMG, University of Warwick.

Helena is focussed on helping local manufacturing companies adopt sustainable manufacturing practices. An associate of the Institute Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Helena is skilled in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon foot printing. Whether it is materials, processes or digital tools, there is normally a way to do things in a more sustainable manner. She believes that sustainable practices should have a positive impact on both the environment and the bottom line.

The series will be delivered by:

In partnership with: