City business leaders to meet next generation of entrepreneurs at networking event

Derby business leaders will share their secrets to success with budding entrepreneurs at a special networking event next week.

The University of Derby’s College of Business is hosting ‘The Network of Entrepreneurs’ on Wednesday, November 16, at the Silk Mill from 5pm-8pm.  

The event aims to give students the chance to meet leading local and national entrepreneurs at a historic venue, while business experts share their knowledge, experiences and insights, as well as offering support and mentoring to those interested in starting their own businesses.

The networking event, which is sponsored by Flint Bishop Solicitors, will also see an expert panel of business leaders give a series of talks. These include:

• Brett Butcher, Owner of My-Let and Entrepreneur in Residence at Derby Business School
• Tom Mawhood, Managing Director of Turning Point Investments
• John Bowler, Chairman of Bowler Eggs
• Saima Majid, Female entrepreneur
• Paul Rose, Founder of You Teach Me
• Chris Pook, Economic Strategy Manager at Derby City Council

This is the third year the event has been held. Previously, the University has been joined by Rupert Carr of Birchall Properties, Dean Jackson of Huub and Graham Mulholland of EPM Technology – all leading entrepreneurs in the region.

Brett Butcher said: “We are really pleased to be bringing another entrepreneurs networking event to the Silk Mill in Derby and very happy to be working with Flint Bishop Solicitors. We know that the students who attend find it immensely valuable to meet people that have made a go of real businesses in the real world.

“One of our guests who will be sharing his story is John Bowler, “The Egg Man”, whose Derby-based franchise network of egg producers has become one of the biggest suppliers of eggs in the country.”

Andrew Cochrane, Senior Partner at Flint Bishop Solicitors, added: “We have sponsored this event for a number of years now and it has become a key event in the city’s business networking calendar. It is fantastic to be supporting Network of Entrepreneurs which helps bring to life start-ups, which are vital to Derby’s economy and help us retain talent within the city.”