19th November @ 8.30am – 4.30pm
A SUCCESSFUL CITY
The Apex City of Bath Hotel
Bath’s own conference for local businesses looking to connect, grow, and be inspired.
This high-energy, one-day experience brings together Bath’s brightest minds, boldest entrepreneurs, and most forward-thinking leaders. Expect a powerhouse line-up of expert speakers, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking panel discussions — all designed to spark ideas, fuel growth, and supercharge your business.
A delicious lunch and refreshments included with every ticket.
Full Programme
Our Speakers
| 8.30am | Doors open, networking over refreshments | Marketplace and Drop In Sessions | |||
| 9.00am – 9.15am | Welcome from Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID | ||||
| 9.15am – 10.00am | INTRODUCTION from Jim Hughes Setting the Scene for Success KEYNOTE by Johnny Palmer What the world needs now is business – the most powerful force of positive change humanity has ever had | ||||
| 10.00am – 10.55am | Successful High Streets | Future Bath: Innovation, Identity & Opportunity | |||
| 10.55am | Break | ||||
| 11.25am – 12.10pm | Blind Date for Arts & Business | Beginners’ Guide to using AI | Collaborative leadership | ||
| 12.15pm – 1.00pm | What Coaching Reveals | The Impact and Ethics of AI | The HR Reset | Come and make a Reel | |
| 1.00pm | Lunch | ||||
| 2.00pm | Bath Success Stories – Canned Wine, iAM Compliant, The Walcot Group, The Theatre Royal, Clearly PR | ||||
| 3.30pm – 4:30pm | Plenary discussion, tea and cake | ||||
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
Johnny Palmer
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.
10.00am-10.55am
PANEL DISCUSSION: Bath – What does a successful high street look like?
Join our expert panel for a dynamic discussion on the evolving face of our city centre — from the revival of in-person retail to the booming hospitality scene.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Future Bath: Innovation, Identity & Opportunity
An exclusive chance to hear university leaders share how their joint expertise is driving innovation in Future Bath.
10.55am -11.20am
Break
A chance to relax, refresh, and network.
11:25am – 12:10pm
Choose from one of the following…
Workshop 1 – Blind Date for Arts and Business:
A Fun and Informative Workshop inspired by Cilla Black’s Classic Show
Local businesses will challenge artist contestants to spark connections, boost collaboration, and have fun.
Workshop 2 – Beginners’ Guide to using AI:
AI Isn’t the Future—It’s the Present. Learn How to Use It.
It’s not too late to join the AI revolution and this workshop will get you started.
Workshop 3 – Collaborative leadership in your organisation
Sponsored by Leadership Together
Discover what drives trust to boost productivity, responsibility, and accountability.
12.15pm – 1.00pm
Choose from one of the following…
Workshop 4 – Things You Can’t See in the Mirror: What Coaching Reveals That You Can’t See Alone
What if your biggest leadership challenge isn’t what you know – but what you can’t see?
Workshop 5 – Keeping Safe: The Impact and Ethics of AI
Exploring the environmental, social and ethical impact of widespread use of AI in the business context.
Workshop 6 – The HR Reset: Adapting to the New Legal Landscape
Stay informed on upcoming employment law changes with HR experts from Mogers Drewett.
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 with Jess and Siobhain from DanceFit Bath
2.10pm – 3.30pm
Bath Success Stories
Join local entrepreneurs as they share candid stories of challenges, big decisions, and defining moments.
3.30pm – 4:30pm
Plenary discussion, key takeaways, 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.
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.
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.
Jess Merritt-Johns
Jolly’s
Bio
Operations Lead and General Manager of Jolly’s Department Store, part of the Morleys Group. Jess brings a wealth of experience in retail management, innovative operational strategies and leadership development within the organisation.
Andrea Kelly
University of Bath
Bio
Supporting businesses to transform their business ideas into reality through support in the Bath area. Andrea leads the SETsquared business acceleration and incubation services and activities for start-ups and spin-outs.
Lucy Paine
TechSPARK
Bio
Lucy identifies, creates and nurtures collaborations in business to facilitate growth with experience in payments, education, technical and training.
Jess Hardy-Wyatt
DanceFit Bath
Siobhain Archer
DanceFit Bath
Lucy Cotterell
Mogers Drewett
Bio
With over 20 years’ experience in HR. Lucy’s experience includes responsibility for HR across all functions including Resourcing, Relations, Reward and development at both operational and strategic level.
Luke Pargeter
iAM Compliant
Bio
In 2016, Luke launched iAM Compliant, driven by the belief that schools needed a smarter, digital-first approach. Luke has contributed to multiple national business and property publications, and a recognised voice in the future of sustainable estates management for schools.
Ojay McDonald
Association of Town & City Management
Bio
Ojay McDonald is the Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management. He works with Government Ministers, parliamentarians, economic development professionals, business leaders and place-makers across the UK and Ireland to support town and city centres.
Kathryn Davis
Visit West
Bio
Kathryn Davis has spent more than 22 years working in Destination Management and Marketing, previously working in hotels and sport. As Visit West’s Director of Tourism, Kathryn oversees and manages the Destination Management Organisation (DMO).
Simon Allen
Level AI
Bio
Simon Allen is the founder of Level AI, a purpose-driven platform helping charities, social enterprises, and ethical businesses use artificial intelligence to save time, reduce burnout, and focus on impact.
Rob Campbell
B&NES Council Heritage Services
Bio
Rob has a proven track record of delivering exceptional outcomes in fast-based, budget sensitive environments across museums, historic properties, landscapes and World Heritage Sites.
Lizzie Heffer
Independent Marketing Advisor
Bio
As director of marketing at Thrings solicitors, she is keeper of the firm’s brand in its widest sense and leads campaigns that connect people with legal expertise.
Alex Peters
Green Park Station & Bath Pizza Co
Bio
Alex previously worked in marketing roles agency side and in house before moving back to Bath to set up Bath Pizza Co and evolve the existing Green Park Brasserie, taking the business in a new direction.
Claire Smith
Buro Happold
Bio
With over 30 years of experience, Claire loves the technical challenges of her work. Throughout this time, she has worked on a wide variety of new build and refurbishment projects, including educational, cultural and leisure buildings.
Poppy Keeling
Emma Rice Company
Bio
As Executive Director for international touring theatre group Emma Rice Company, Poppy has been with the company since its launch, producing all its shows including Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, Wuthering Heights, Malory Towers and Wise Children.
Les Redwood
Mogers Drewett
Bio
Les is Head of Marketing and Business Development at Mogers Drewett LLP. He was a founding director of the first Bath Business Improvement District. He then worked directly for the City’s Destination Management Organisation, Visit Bath.
Brett Parker
Gail’s
Bio
Following a career in the military and computing fields, Brett has been the property lead in several businesses for the last 21 years. His team maintains 180 retail bakeries and six production units across the UK, as well as building between 30-40 new units each year for the last 3.
Dave Preedy
Microsoft UK
Bio
With over 30 years in enterprise IT, Dave Preedy leads AI and cloud strategy for financial services at Microsoft UK. He helps organisations bridge emerging technologies with real-world impact – driving innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
Andy Salmon
Bath Spa University
Bio
Over the last three years as Pro-vice Chancellor External, Andy has established a new External Affairs Unit to drive marketing and communications, and new business development. The latter has been spearheaded by the new Short Course Unit.
Jon Hunt
University of Bath
Bio
Jon aims to create space and opportunities, to work with others to innovate. His career to date has developed strategies for growth, secured numerous commercial deals from spin out formation, inward investment and economic development.
Victoria Johnson
Mogers Drewett
Bio
Over 20 years’ experience in HR and have spent the last few years working with Technology, Engineering and Science start-ups and scale ups in the South-West.
Nathan Baranowski
Digital Wonderlab
Bio
Chief Wondermaker and Head of Big Thinking, Tech Innovation & Solution Design at the Wonderlab. Nathan is the “Super Thinker” in the team, living and breathing tech and digital innovation for over 20 years.
Sarah Williment
Farleigh Performance
Bio
Organisational Development Consultant and Systems Coach, Leader, Coach, Mentor and Facilitator of leadership and team development, organisational change
Our Sponsors and Stallholders
