19th November @ 8.30am – 4.30pm
The Apex City of Bath Hotel
A Successful City
Bath’s own conference for local businesses looking to connect, grow, and be inspired.
Don’t miss out on the Bath Business Conference 2025 hosted by Bath BID at the Apex City of Bath Hotel. This one-day event brings Bath’s business community together, and features an exciting line-up of expert speakers, interactive workshops and panel discussions – all geared towards helping your business excel. Don’t miss out on the most talked about event of the business calendar – a brilliant mix of information, inspriration and fun.
A delicious lunch and refreshments included with every ticket.
Full Programme
Our Speakers
8.30am
Doors open, networking over refreshments
9.00am – 9.15am
Welcome from Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID
9.15am – 10.00am
Setting the Scene for Success
Jim Hughes, Founder of Untamed
Introducing our Keynote Speaker….
Johnny Palmer, Owner of Warleigh Weir
“Bath is an exemplar of how a heritage city can be run. It maintains its history, attracts tourists, has a thriving local economy and offers inclusive recreation as well as maintains the natural world. This is possible largely due to the incredible local businesses and activists. I am delighted to help contribute to the excellent work of the Bath community and am delighted to be part of it.”
PANEL DISCUSSION: Bath – What does a successful place look like?
Join our panel to discuss the latest trends for high streets, in person retailing, the growth of hospitality and look at the opportunities for Bath.
Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, Facilitator, Founder of Clearly PR
John Chamberlain, Head of Marketing for Visit West
Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID
Jess Merrit-Johns, General Manager of Jolly’s and Chair of Bath BID
OR DROP IN to our AI Lab with Lucy Paine of TechSpark and Bath Digital Festival and Andrea Kelly with a team of postgrads from University of Bath – bring your questions and challenges to our resident experts.
10.55am -11.20am
Break
A chance to relax, refresh, and network.
11:25am – 12:10pm
Workshops Session A
Choose from one of the following…
Workshop 1 – The HR Reset: Adapting to the New Legal Landscape
Stay up to date with all the new upcoming changes and obligations under employment law in the next couple of years.
Workshop 2 – Beginners’ Guide to using AI for success in your business
Not sure where to start? Come and see how to get started and what is going to help you.
Workshop 3 – PR vs DIY Social Media
This is your interactive workshop with practical tips and a consideration of who can do your storytelling.
Workshop 4 – Collaborative leadership in your organisation
Sponsored by Leadership Together
This workshop explores the power of supporting leaders at all levels to overcome inherent leadership isolation in leadership.
12.15pm – 1.00pm
Workshops Session B
Choose from one of the following…
Workshop 5 – Choosing a Business Coach
What could a business coach do for your business and personal growth? How do you choose what is right for you? Hosted by Sarah Milliment and Jim Hughes.
Workshop 6 – The Impact and Ethics of AI
Exploring the environmental, social and ethical impact of widespread use of AI in the business context.
Workshop 7 – Cyber Crime and your Business
As cyber crime is becoming more difficult to spot; this session is designed to help you to learn how to protect your business and what to watch out for.
Workshop 8 – Culture Connect
A speed networking workshop to foster new partnerships between businesses and cultural organisations to encourage potential collaboration.
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Lunch
Join us for a delicious buffet lunch in the Apex Restaurant followed by dessert and coffee in the marketplace, all included in your ticket.
2.00pm – 2.10pm
Energy Booster
2.10pm – 3.30pm
Bath Success Stories
Join a panel of successful local entrepreneurs and business leaders discussing their journeys to success. A candid sharing of challenges, big decisions and career defining moments.
Moderator – Anita Jaynes of The Business Exchange
Simon Rollings and Ben Franks – Canned Wine
Debbie Still – The Walcot Group
Nicholas Fleming – The Theatre Royal
Paul McKenzie – Clearly PR
3.30pm – 4:30pm
Plenary discussion, key takeways, tea and cake
10.00am – 10.55am
Panels
Bath – What does a successful place look like?
Join a panel of experts as they discuss footfall, vacancies, reviews and the future of the highstreet.
Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, Founder of Clearly PR
John Chamberlain, Head of Marketing for Visit West
Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID
Nick Bishop, Business Crime Reduction Partnership Manager from Bath BID
2.00pm – 3.15pm
Pick Your Session
Panel Discussion: Success Stories
Join a panel of successful local entrepreneurs and business leaders discussing topics including facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and career defining moments.
Charity Speed Dating with 3SG
Interested in starting a partnership with a charity? Come and chat to 3SG about how to make it happen and the benefits to your organisation.
Jim Hughes
Untamed
Bio
Jim founded Untamed in 2017 and since then has been on the most amazing journey, helping some phenomenal people take control of their lives and make an impact.
Debbie Still
The Walcot Group
Bio
A Co-Director of The Walcot Group, a family run food & hospitality business behind Walcot House, Solina, Green Street Butchers, Mother & Wild, Little Walcot and soon to open The White Hart in Widcombe.
Johnny Palmer
Warleigh Weir
Bio
An activist, Multi-exited founder, investor and general disruptor. He is best known for purchasing the island at Warleigh Weir, installing a Boeing 727 airliner in Bristol (alleged to be Pablo Escobar’s), successfully getting swimming in Bristol harbour and playing a role in holding water companies to account with river pollution.
Paul MacKenzie-Cummins
Clearly PR
Bio
Founder and Managing Director of Clearly PR – the award-winning Bath-based media relations, reputation management, and personal branding agency. As a writer and commentator, Paul has written for BBC One, Radio 5 Live, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, ITV, METRO, The Express.
Nick Bishop
Bath BID
Bio
As Business Crime Reduction Partnership Manager, Nick manages the Bath BID’s team of Daytime/Nighttime Marshals, the multi-award-winning Bath Safe Bus, the CityLink Radio Scheme and moderates the DISC Against Crime app.
Anita Jaynes
Business Exchange South West
Bio
Founder/Director of The Business Exchange South West (TBE, a businesses-to-businesses publishing company. Anita uses her skills as a media professional and natural connector to create a powerful platform which unifies our commmunity.
Nicholas Fleming
Theatre Royal Bath
Bio
Currently the Relationship Manager at Theatre Royal Bath, but with previous experience as a stage manager and set builder, Nicholas is passionate about the power of the arts both as a force for social change and economic growth.
Allison Herbert
Bath BID
Bio
CEO of the Bath BID since 2017. She has extensive public and private sector experience in events, economic development and project management.
Dave Kelly
Storm
Bio
One of the two founders of Storm. Alongside his role steering the company, he loves the strategic work he does in partnership with our clients. In fact, many cite him as being pivotal in their business success.
Mark Blackman
Leadership Together
Bio
Director and owner of Leadership Together, a company with a mission to enable executive, senior and middle leaders to achieve excellence.
Jon Chamberlain
Visit West
Bio
Jon is Head of Marketing for Visit West and has worked for the company for over 12 years. Having worked in hotels and attractions, Jon now specialises in travel trade relations as well as having responsibility for the hugely successful Visit Bath consumer channels.
Simon Rollings
Canned Wine Co
Bio
Heads up the team at Canned Wine Co. and has experience in supply chain management, operations, innovation and performance marketing. He counts businesses like Hello Fresh and Eat First among his portfolio.
Ben Franks FRSA
Canned Wine Co
Bio
Best known for founding the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines at the age of 22, before going on to co-found Canned Wine Co. in 2019. Described as ‘a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit’ by Angela Mount in The Buyer.
Our Sponsors
