Join Waldrons Solicitors and Dudley Building Society for breakfast on 6th March at the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill for an engaging and informative event tailored to help businesses in the Black Country thrive. As part of the inaugural West Midlands Business Festival, this event brings together local businesses, industry experts and trusted partners to provide practical advice.
Date and time: Thursday, March 6 · 8:30 – 11:30am GMT
Location: Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill-Dudley, Level Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 1UR
Register to attend: HERE
Programme
| Time | Session Title | Format | Speakers |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Arrival & Breakfast | Informal Networking | All attendees |
| 9:00 – 9:10 | Welcome & Introduction | Single Speaker | Waldrons Solicitors |
| 9:10 – 9:40 | Legal and Compliance Foundations for Business Success | Fireside Chat | Vishal Mahay & Courtney Stephenson – Waldrons Hatu Hawkins – High-End Health Care UK Lukas Schlenker – Deltron Lifts Jessica Dunkley – RD Accounting |
| 9:40 – 9:55 | Smart Business Finance: Stronger Finance, Stronger Business | Single Speaker | Cara Powell – Dudley Building Society |
| 9:55 – 10:25 | Leveraging Technology for Operational Efficiency | Panel Discussion | Matt Weston – Vantage 365, Tom May – Mint Technology, Richard Johnson – Halesowen College / Black Country Innovation Services, Annabelle Brown – Prosperity (Marketing & AI) |
| 10:25 – 10:55 | Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Training & Development Opportunities | Expert-Led Interactive Presentation | Paul Nightingale – Juniper Training, Sam Shaw – BSN Group, Martin Hough – DWP, Ian Thompson – DWP |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Open Networking | Informal Session | All attendees and speakers |
Welcome & Introduction (9:00 am – 9:10 am)
- Speaker: Waldrons Solicitors
Welcome attendees and introduce the event’s objectives - Key themes for the morning: Legal, Finance, Technology & Workforce Development
Legal and Compliance Foundations for Business Success (9:10 am – 9:40 am)
Businesses often realise the importance of strong legal foundations when faced with disputes, compliance issues or regulatory challenges.
This session will explore how businesses can safeguard themselves with sound legal and compliance strategies, featuring real-life case studies from organisations that have successfully navigated these challenges.
Format: Fireside Chat
Speakers:
- Vishal Mahay & Courtney Stephenson – Waldrons Solicitors
- Hatu Hawkins – High-End Health Care UK
- Lukas Schlenker – Deltron Lifts
- Jessica Dunkley – RD Accounting
Discussion Points:
- How businesses can prevent legal disputes before they arise
- Common pitfalls in commercial contracts, employment law and compliance
- Real case studies of businesses overcoming legal challenges.
Smart Business Finance: Stronger Finance, Stronger Business (9:40 am – 9:55 am)
A clear savings strategy can make all the difference between surviving and thriving. This session will provide insights from an industry expert on how businesses can strengthen their financial position and be ready for tax season with a financial safety net.
Format: Single Speaker
Speakers:
- Cara Powell – Dudley Building Society
Discussion Points:
- How to optimise business savings
- Insights on a selection of savings accounts and benefits
- Business accounts specialists available for Q&A
Leveraging Technology for Operational Efficiency (9:55 am – 10:25 am)
Technology is transforming the way businesses operate, from artificial intelligence in marketing to cloud-based automation. This session will explore how businesses can leverage technology and AI to streamline operations and drive efficiency.
Format: Panel Discussion
Speakers:
- Matt Weston – Vantage 365
- Tom May – Mint Technology
- Richard Johnson – Halesowen College / Innovate UK Black Country Innovation Services
- Annabelle Brown – Prosperity (Marketing & AI)
Discussion Points:
- The impact of AI on business efficiency
- How to use cloud solutions to streamline operations
- Cybersecurity risks and how to stay protected
- AI in marketing – what businesses need to know
Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Training & Development Opportunities (10:25 am – 10:55 am)
A business is only as strong as its people. In today’s fast-changing environment, how can businesses ensure they are developing and retaining the right talent?
Format: Expert-Led Interactive Presentation
Speakers:
- Paul Nightingale – Juniper Training
- Sam Shaw – BSN Group
- Martin Hough & Ian Thompson – DWP
Discussion Points:
- Apprenticeships, training and funding opportunities for businesses
- How to address skills shortages and create a resilient workforce
- The importance of upskilling employees for business growth
Open Networking (11:00 am – 11:30 am)
- Meet and connect with speakers and attendees
- Discuss business challenges & opportunities
- Build new partnerships over a complimentary breakfast
Why Attend?
- Gain practical insights from business leaders and industry experts
- Hear real case studies from businesses overcoming challenges
- Learn best practices in legal compliance, finance, technology & workforce development
- Network with professionals and explore new business opportunities.
Register to attend: HERE
