In a world of such fast paced changes, our ‘Future Readiness’ Bootcamp focuses upon bringing you visions and predictions for the future and the practical steps you can begin to take now to help you and your business to prepare – from technology, customer demands, climate change to future skills and talent.
This event is part of FSB’s popular nationwide programme of Business Bootcamps.
These events are designed to equip business owners with knowledge and skills to succeed. And give a chance to connect with other business owners.
This Bootcamp, on 23 May at CAST Theatre Doncaster, focuses on ‘Future Readiness’. In a world of such fast paced changes this Bootcamp will give you visions and predictions for the future. More importantly you learn practical steps you can begin to take now to help you and your business succeed – from technology, customer demands, climate change to future skills and talent.
The Venue
CAST is an modern state-of-the-art venue with a remarkable central location. Since opening opened in 2013, CAST has welcomed 1000s of guests for a magnitude of events. Our event will take place across three rooms including Cast’s Second Space – a versatile, stylish and accessible ‘black box’ theatre. This space boasts state of the art projection and a cinema style screen and we are delighted to be hosting our bootcamp here.
What to expect
Aswell as a programme of fanastic speakers, this event will also incorporates an exhibition with opportunities to for FSB members, non-members and business support providers to showcase their products and service offerings.
On offer is:
A free-to-attend bootcamp. This is your chance to hear from inspirational speakers to help you develop and grow your business and support you with ‘future readiness’.
A free-to-attend exhibition. If you are interested in having a stand, please visit here.
Networking opportunities throughout the day.
Complimentary lunch and refreshments during breaks.
This event is designed to benefit entrepreneurs, the self-employed and small businesses from across Yorkshire and the North East of England.
Registration for this event will begin at 8:45am, we kindly ask for you to arrive and take your seat by 9.15am. We expect to close at 4pm. The agenda will be announced as it is confirmed.
Event Host
Sharon Jandu – Director, FSB
Event Host
Our host for the day will be Sharon Jandu. Sharon is an experienced, insightful and entrepreneurial leader who runs her own small business. Sharon was appointed to the FSB Board on 7 March 2023, having been a proud and active member of FSB since 2018 previously having served as an FSB volunteer area lead for West Yorkshire and as a member of the Procedures Committee.
Speakers and Sessions
Speaker – Professor David Spicer, University of Bradford
Challenges and Opportunities for SMES: Evidence from Research
David is the Professor of Small Business Development and Organisation Studies at the University of Bradford. He will provide an overview of the latest research on the future business challenges and opportunities for business and SMES in the region and more widely. He will draw on his own research with SMES as well as findings from YPERN (The Yorkshire Policy Engagement Research Network) and more widely.
Speaker – Geoffrey Bye, Founder & CEO of AI Futures
AI Unleashed: Powering SME Leadership with Generative Intelligence
Geoffrey provides an invaluable edge to businesses seeking to harness the transformative power of generative AI. His consultancy, AI Futures, accelerates AI adoption through custom-designed in-house masterclasses, workshops, and one-on-one executive sessions. This tailored approach equips businesses with the critical insights and actionable strategies required to integrate AI seamlessly into their operations, ensuring rapid, effective implementation.
Speaker – Jess Grocutt, Natwest Business Banking
Responding to Change
Jess Grocutt manages NatWest’s Entrepreneur Accelerator in Manchester, a funded programme that empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their business to the next level. Jess has supported 100’s of entrepreneurs from across a number of industries, working with them to grow and scale their businesses. As an advocate for inclusive entrepreneurship, Jess is involved with a number of initiatives designed to build the confidence of diverse founders to drive their business forward, including the TiE UK North Women’s Advisory Board and more recently, Meta’s She Means Business programme.
Our full speaker line up will be announced soon, watch this space!
Getting here and car parking
CAST is located approximately 10-15 minute walk from the Railway station or if you are travelling by car, the closest car parking is Chamber Road Car Park (DN1 2DB) and the Civic Quarter Car Park (DN1 3JH). For more information, please visit here.
For those that opt in for this event, we will share your business contact details with Department for Business and Trade. They may contact you with information from this event as well as product information and other information relevant to you. Department for Business and Trade will process your data in accordance with their Privacy Notice. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Contact
Please contact Hayley.Gallimore@fsb.org.uk for any further information.
For more information including contact details please visit the FSB’s directory listing here –