Support for Fresh Business Thinking LIVE! keeps on growing, as organisers of the event officially announce its show partners today.
The event, which takes place on the 8th September at Old Billingsgate, London, will be sponsored by computer technology specialists Dell, and one of the world’s leading banks, Santander.
Commenting on their support for the show, Marco Bossi, Affiliate Manager at Dell says: “It is great to have such a full-on business event like this in London, especially one that is focussed primarily on the SME community. A huge part of what we do is about helping small-medium sized businesses with their computer technology. Therefore it is vital that we have a presence at Fresh Business Thinking LIVE! and support the show as much as we can.”
“I agree,” adds Steve Pateman, Head of UK Corporate and Commercial Banking at Santander. “There’s no doubt we are in enormously challenging times. The financial crisis of three years ago and the subsequent recession have impacted on the UK in countless ways. It’s fair to say, though, that SMEs have felt the effects more than most: demand is down, trading relationships have come under strain, and access to finance has undoubtedly tightened for many businesses.”
Steve continues: “At Santander we have seen the impact on our business customers. They have needed the support of both their suppliers and finance providers through a difficult time. In response to that, we have concentrated our efforts on improving our support to our SME customers, and have increased our lending to SMEs by 21% in the year to June 2010.
“Our role as one of the lead sponsors of Fresh Business Thinking Live! is also part of this commitment. Fresh Business Thinking Live! is a vital event for this sector of the economy, bringing together a host of expert speakers under one roof as well as a range of useful suppliers and exhibitors that focus on smaller business.”
Indeed, there’s an array of top companies exhibiting, with many specifically launching new SME focused products/services for the first time. Whilst over 20 of the world’s business elite will be speaking throughout the day, from the UK CEO of Shirlaws, John Rosling to the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chris Lenton.
Santander Corporate Banking will also be one of those guest speakers who will be delivering a workshop. The session is titled ‘Planning the future? – Where’s the money coming from’ and will be presented by Santander’s Corporate Banking Regional Director Steve King.
Steve King has 25 years of banking experience in a wide variety of roles, including corporate and commercial banking, sanctioning, internal audit/inspection and special investigations.
Nick James, Managing Director of Fresh Business Thinking LIVE! comments: “To get such a big-hitter as Steve King speaking at the show is brilliant, but what’s even better is having both Santander Corporate Banking and Dell supporting the entire show.
“I’m truly overwhelmed by the support we’ve received so far for the show, from our show corporate partners, expert speakers, and our exhibitors. But what’s even more impressive is that we are still getting enquiries every day from some of the country’s top businesses and entrepreneurs wanting to get involved. It looks set be a great day!”
For further information on Fresh Business Thinking LIVE! visit www.freshbusinessthinkinglive.com
