EF News
More than 240 business owners and leaders gathered yesterday at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead for the Entrepreneurs’ Forum Autumn Conference, the organisation’s largest entrepreneurial gathering of the year.
Hosted by Thinking Digital founder Herb Kim, the event brought together both regional and national business leaders to inspire, energise and equip the Forum’s membership with stories of growth, resilience and purpose.
The conference put North East founders firmly in the spotlight and featured award-winning food entrepreneurs Alex and Ross Longton of Tiba Tempeh, who shared their rapid growth journey and ambition to become the world’s leading tempeh brand. Fifth-generation Ringtons directors Brigitte Keatings and Nadia Johnson also revealed how they are modernising one of the region’s most iconic family businesses while staying true to its heritage.
The spotlight extended to the region’s start-ups as founders Lisa Gosnay of Assessable and Ed Tame of The Scottish Halibut Company pitched for investment in front of a live panel of Dragons, demonstrating the innovation and ambition driving the next wave of North East business success.
Adding a national perspective, Simon Cooper, founder of On the Beach, delivered a dynamic session charting his journey from student ski trips to building a £1.5bn online travel business. He shared candid insights on scaling, navigating disruption and staying resilient in uncertain markets.
Building on that theme of resilience and innovation, author and consultant Mark Shayler challenged audiences to rethink what workplace culture really means, blending inspiration with practical exercises to help leaders shape creative and high-performing teams.
Closing the day, Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm, inspired the audience with her story of transforming a personal challenge into the UK’s number one children’s personal care brand and a £36.8m acquisition by PZ Cussons. Joanna, who recently published her book ‘Making Business Child’s Play’ shared insights from her remarkable journey of resilience, purpose and growth.
Joanna said: “It was an honour to join such a dynamic community of business leaders. The North East’s entrepreneurial scene is buzzing with creativity and purpose, and the conversations today showed how collaboration and courage can fuel incredible success.”
Reflecting on the event, Elaine Stroud, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Yesterday’s conference captured everything the Forum stands for – energy, ambition and connection. Our speakers showed that behind every success story is persistence, risk and resilience, and our members left inspired to take those lessons back into their own businesses. The North East’s entrepreneurial energy is stronger than ever.”
Headlined by Agilico, the event was also supported by RTC North, Oculus HR, Talentheads, North East Combined Authority, UMi, Wubbleyou, Lumanorth, Kinnery and Mercia Ventures.
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum is proud to be supported by its corporate partners – Agilico, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Maitland, Ward Hadaway, North East Times, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and Blu Sky Chartered Accountants – alongside its business support partners Tees Valley Combined Authority, Northern Accelerator, Newcastle University Business School and Northumbria University.
