The Chamber’s second annual conference took place at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on Thursday 3rd October. Proving a huge success for all involved, the event brought together over 130 attendees from local and national businesses to hear from speakers on a range of business topics.
First up was broadcaster, presenter and former professional rugby player Ugo Monye, who delivered an inspiring session touching on teamwork, leadership, resilience and diversity.
Next to speak was local entrepreneur Colin Bell with a talk entitled Scaleup Potential to Scaleup Performance focusing on four key themes: Be Brave, Be Disruptive, Be the Best, Be Happy.
Jenny Lee from Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy started the afternoon’s sessions telling the inspiring story of taking over the family farm, turning towards regenerative farming methods and then using the milk produced on the farm to make cheese and more recently gelato.
Then followed a panel discussion with local business leaders Gill Haigh (Cumbria Tourism), Jayne Moorby (Oxley Group), Gemma Dawe (Lake District Relocation) and Angela Jones (Westmorland & Furness Council) on the theme ‘Thriving Local Economy’.
Leadership expert Neil Jurd, then wrapped up the day with a session on how leaders can build positive working relationships and high performing teams.
Social media posts following the event went wild, below is just a small sample of quotes.
Ugo Monye posted “Great to be in Cumbria last week to chat at the Chamber of Commerce event – thanks so much for having me.”
“An inspiring and motivating day at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s Conference Cumbria. Some incredible insights from business leaders, coaches and the one and only Ugo Monye. Plenty of takeaways, actions and new connections made.” Mark Tolley – Go Low Carbon
“It’s been a fabulous day at the Castle Green Hotel with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and some incredible speakers. Particularly inspiring to hear talks from Ugo Monye and Neil Jurd on leadership and team building. Great day – thank you” Andrew Armitage – A Digital
“#ConferenceCumbria2024 hugely enjoyable talk by Ugo Monye about leadership, resilience and teamwork, an inspirational insight into the Torpenhow Cheese Company and regenerative farming by Jenny Lee and an informative panel discussion on a thriving Cumbrian economy” Jackie Blacklock – Cumbria Community Foundation
“A great day attending and exhibiting at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce #ConferenceCumbria 2024. Wonderful to meet new connections and catch up with familiar faces too. Very inspired by Ugo Monye’s talk on teamwork: what makes a good team? What an amazing and lovely man” Michaela Irving – See Events
“Team Dodd & Co had a fantastic day at #ConferenceCumbria2024. A brilliant line up of inspirational and motivational speakers” Tony Ferguson – Dodd & Co
“Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing two great speakers on the subject of leadership/teamwork. Thank you so much Neil Jurd and Ugo Monye. Thank you to Cumbria Chamber of Commerce for a first class agenda of speakers” Joan Lind – Trybooking
“Great catching up with local businesses and listening to some truly inspiring and engaging speakers yesterday at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce #ConferenceCumbria2024 Always great to connect and share ideas with the brilliant people making things happen in our region. Special mention to Neil Jurd for a great end of the day and Jenny Lee from Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy – your passion and dedication left me speechless” Catherine Rumney – The Creative Branch
“The phenomenal opening presentation by Ugo Monye really set the tone for a very inspiring and informative event” Becky Wolstenholme – Cumbria Youth Alliance
“Great day at #ConferenceCumbria2024 with Cumbria Waste Group today, helping local businesses manage their commercial waste more effectively. Looking forward to the next one!” Cameron Gray – Cumbria Waste Group
We’d like to again thank this year’s sponsors : University of Cumbria (headline sponsor), Cumberland Council, David Allen, Dodd & Co, Leo Group and Westmorland & Furness Council.
Next year’s Conference Cumbria will be on Thursday 2nd October and we’ll be coming back to Cumberland. We hope to announce next year’s keynote speaker early 2025 but plans are already underway to again build on the success of this year’s event.