Polar explorer among headliners at North Wales business conference

To mark the 10^th anniversary of leadership programmes funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through Welsh Government at Bangor University, the ION Leadership and 20Twenty Business Growth programmes are holding a celebratory event on Wednesday November 6.

Venue Cymru in Llandudno will host the North Wales Means Business conference and exhibition, with guest speakers including Ricky Munday, the founder of Inspire Alpine.

Ricky is an inspirational speaker, international expedition leader, Red Cross delegate and chartered accountant.

To overcome redundancy in 2004, he completed the toughest footrace on earth – the 150-mile Marathon des Sables.

With a decade of expedition experience behind him, Ricky reached the summit of Mount Everest last summer and has since visited more than 70 schools and firms across the UK to deliver inspirational talks to over 14,000 people.

He speaks about perseverance, developing resilience, goal setting and overcoming adversity, and has done so for clients including Citrix, Deloitte and Scottish Power. A qualified Mountain Leader and Polar Ambassador who grew up on a council estate in Glasgow, Ricky founded Inspire Alpine as a social enterprise to help close the attainment gap that exists between disadvantaged young people and their peers.

“I’m thrilled to be speaking at the North Wales Means Business Conference in Llandudno,” said Ricky.

“As a social entrepreneur who has recently relocated to North Wales, I’ve been blown away by the support available to SMEs across the region and by the diverse range of dynamic businesses I’ve met.

“I hope that by sharing the story of my own journey from a council estate in Glasgow, to qualifying as a chartered accountant and mountain leader, to completing the Marathon des Sables and reaching the summit of Everest, I’ll be able to inspire others to change their mindset and follow their own dreams.”

MC on the day will be Gary Johnson from Innovation Relief, and among the other headliners are former BBC Business Doctor Paul Thomas; TBC Marketing founder Teresa Carnall; Claire Smith, Head of Business Development at Moneypenny, and Ashley Rogers, Vice Chair of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council and Director of Gill & Shaw marketing and business development consultancy.

There will also be a Q&A with Supertemps and S2 Recruitment managing director Sarah Ellwood, Adventure Parc Snowdonia and Zipworld boss Sean Taylor, and Jonathan Hughes, founder of Snowdon Craft Beer, who were among the very first LEAD Wales cohort a decade ago.

Looking ahead to the event, Mr Rogers said: “I’m delighted to be part of this incredible line-up and what will be another popular North Wales Means Business Conference.

“There will be a wide range of issues and topics discussed, as well as insight into leadership and business.

“I’m looking forward to talking more about the work of the Business Council in North Wales and the North West, and discussing the developing North Wales Growth Deal, and what it may mean for local businesses – see you there.”

Claire Smith is also proud to be attending and added: “I am delighted to be supporting Bangor University and their flagship event.

“I will be sharing the Moneypenny story and talking about all things culture. I am looking forward to appearing alongside so many great and inspiring speakers.

“Businesses will be able to take lots of useful information and hear how effective employee engagement through strong leadership can positively impact their companies.”

Beginning in 2009 with LEAD Wales, Bangor University has welcomed hundreds of company owners, managers and entrepreneurs onto European-funded leadership programmes.

Gwenllian Owen, Senior Programme Manager for the ION Leadership and 20Twenty Business Growth programmes, said: “Over the last 10 years we have worked with so many businesses and industry leaders, it’s been a huge honour.

“The conference is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the companies and individuals who have taken part, and the impact it has had on their staff and strategies.

“We have had so much positive feedback and are excited to host this event with so many fantastic speakers and exhibitors at Venue Cymru. Tickets are selling fast so please get in touch and book your place.”