Cheshire-based event management specialist, Assured Events, is playing a key role in supporting Business Link Northwest as it hosts a groundbreaking event aimed at harnessing the business success of the region’s African Caribbean Business Community.
‘Hitting the Big Time’ will feature renowned entrepreneur Levi Roots and controversial author Dr Chika Onyeani, among other high profile speakers. Hosted by broadcaster and businesswoman Juliet Alexander, the event will take place on Wednesday 8 October at The Citizen’s Suite in the City of Manchester Stadium.
Assured Events deputy managing director, Carol Ann Whitehead, is delighted that the Cheadle company has been tasked with such an exciting brief, commenting: “Our team is privileged to have earned the opportunity to manage the event and to help bring Business Link Northwest’s vision to life .
“As a bespoke boutique events agency, we have a talented team of professionals and as such take great pride in the quality of our offering. We have researched the target audience thoroughly and can contribute confidently to the development of the project.
“It is staggering to discover from research commissioned by the North West Development Agency that 47% of the North West’s African Caribbean working population expect to start a business within the next three years, but statistics suggest they have a higher failure rate.”
The conference will draw on the experiences of a panel of inspirational Asian business people, who will demonstrate how members of the Asian community support each other in business, while a powerful line-up of prominent African and Caribbean entrepreneurs will reveal the stories behind their own success.
Ultimately, the event will consider how, by working in collaboration, the African Caribbean Business Community can flourish and reach its multi-million pound potential. Both panels consist of high-calibre success stories, including Dr Nighat Awan OBE, Chief Executive of the Shere Khan Group, popular Dragons’ Den contestant and the renowned founder of Reggae Reggae Sauce and Dragons’ Den success, Levi Roots.
The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr Chika Onyeani, former Editor-in-Chief of the African Sun and contentious author. His speech will present a positive and motivational message to African and Caribbean businesses, reminding them that everything is possible.
During the event, Peter Watson, Managing Director of Business Link Northwest, will highlight the business support that is available to African and Caribbean businesses in the North West.
With the event doubling up as the launch of an exciting new project that is about to get underway, Marilyn Comrie, Chief Executive at Leadergen, will go on to explain how businesses can get involved with the scheme.
Marilyn explains: “This event comes at the right time, as we are about to launch the African Caribbean Business Accelerator Programme which aims to kickstart the Black economy in the North. The programme will help to arm the African Caribbean business community with the correct commercial tools to win business. This ‘Hitting the Big Time’ event will offer those with an African or Caribbean background the chance to hear how others have made a success of their business and how, with the right support and direction, they can follow in their footsteps.”
The event is free to attend, but places are limited so early booking is advisable. To find out more about the event or to book a place, please call Business Link Northwest on 01772 790154 email events@businesslinknw.co.uk or visit www.businesslinknw.gov.uk/northwest/events.
