Forth Valley Business Week returns this September with a challenge to regional leaders and local entrepreneurs to seize opportunities in the current dynamic landscape in order to successfully ‘Navigate Change’.
With a new UK government, a new Forth Green Freeport, emerging Forth Valley Regional Economic Strategy and a City Region Deal, the economic landscape of the Forth Valley is being transformed. Forth Valley Business Week, which runs from 16th to 20th September 2024, will explore how the public, private and third sectors can get the best possible outcomes in the face of these significant changes.
On Monday 16th September, senior Forth Valley decision and policy makers will kick start the week at a Change Maker Summit in Falkirk. “Forth Valley: Fit for the Future?” will ask how the area can distinguish itself from the big cities to successfully compete and thrive. The event, facilitated by Regional Economies Advisor to the Scottish Government, Ross Martin, and boasting a speakers’ panel that includes Scottish Business Network Founder Russell Dalgleish and former Edrington MD for EMEA and Ceteris Chair Stewart MacRae, will explore how the Forth Valley can embrace technology, innovation and entrepreneurialism to attract new investment, create social value and stimulate economic growth.
For the business community, the focus will be on the opportunities present in a world where change is the only constant. Workshops, seminars and round table events will explore the huge potential for businesses to innovate and grow if they successfully navigate the changes they face, including:
- Planning in a time of political change and international uncertainty.
- How to meet the ongoing challenges of climate change and sustainability.
- How to embrace the rapid advances in technology as it continues to disrupt industries and operations.
- How to instigate change within organisations to become more agile, innovative and resilient.
Sponsors include construction firm Robertson and Techscaler, the tech startup accelerator run by Codebase and funded by the Scottish Government. Events also being held by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, the University of Stirling Scotland’s International Environment Centre and local Business Gateway offices.
Josie Saunders, CEO of Ceteris, organisers of Forth Valley Business Week, said: “The Forth Valley faces an exciting challenge. With high levels of government investment driving new opportunities, there are huge potential rewards if the business community, public and third sectors work together to adapt to and embrace the changes coming our way.
Forth Valley Business Week 2024 aims to be a rallying call to businesses large and small from across the area, as well as to policy makers, to seize these opportunities. Our exciting programme of events for 2024 is both practical and ambitious and we can’t wait to get started in September!”
Take a look at the full programme of Navigate Change events on the Forth Valley Business Week page.