Date: Thursday 1st October
Time: 9.45am to 4pm (arrival from 9.15am)
Venue: The Pencil Factory, Carding Mill Lane, Keswick, CA12 5NG

Join us for our fourth annual Conference Cumbria on Thursday 1st October at the Pencil Factory in Keswick.

We’re delighted to welcome Knights as the headline sponsor of Conference Cumbria 2026, supporting us in bringing together businesses and leaders from across the county for what promises to be our biggest conference yet.

We are pleased to announce our Keynote speaker – Sir Clive Woodward.

The architect of Britain’s greatest rugby achievement, Sir Clive Woodward earned international acclaim and a knighthood after he led England’s players to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Clive’s approach to winning has captured the imagination of both the sporting and corporate worlds. He draws on his experience as a World Cupwinning Head Coach, as Director of Sport for Team GB at the British Olympic Association for the London 2012 Olympics, and as Founding Partner and Chairman of Captured (an online coaching software and synchronised app based on his coaching philosophy).

A former England International and British & Irish Lion himself, Clive immediately made his mark as Head Coach by introducing basic business principles, including setting long-term goals, attention to detail, and focusing on the personal development of individuals. During his tenure, England moved from 6th to the number 1-ranked team in the world, winning every trophy an England team can win.

When Pigs Fly: The Courage to Believe in Impossible Things

Lou Kneath, founder of Cumbrian-based animation studio PLUS3K and creator of Positively Pigasus, shares the story behind turning an “impossible” idea into a growing global character brand.

In this uplifting and light-hearted session, Lou explores the power of belief and what it really takes to find your creative courage, follow your instincts, and bring an idea to life.

Expect warmth, humour, and a fresh perspective on what can happen when you believe in the impossible… and how she really does make pigs fly.

Speakers will be chosen based on the theme, we’ll also have our usual panel discussion.

Beyond Boundaries – creating change, one adventure at a time.

Join Sara Murray of ‘Beyond Bendrigg’ to explore the power of adventure; how being in the outdoors can improve our confidence, increase our wellbeing, and connect us not only to nature, but to each other.

Sara is the Training and Research Manager at Beyond Bendrigg, part of the Bendrigg Trust – an accessible outdoor centre in Cumbria, which for over 45 years has been working to make the outdoors accessible to all. Learn how by being bold and courageous we can open up not just our own world, but the worlds of those around us. How adventure means different things to different people - and that we can all choose our own ‘Everest’… And how by thinking differently we can make the outdoors a place where everyone can participate.

Panel Discussion

Steve Randles

Steve has worked in the education sector for over 25 years; in roles including practitioner, teacher, head of centre, and senior leadership.

Throughout his career, he has focused on creating environments where people feel empowered to take smart risks, challenge the status quo, and speak openly. The best outcomes rarely come from playing it safe; they come from diverse perspectives, honest conversations, and, most importantly the willingness to try something new.

For Steve, success is not just about delivery, it is about the impact. It is about helping people and organisations move forward with intent, clarity, and the confidence to take bold steps when it matters most. He has learnt that courage is not about big, standout moments; often it is in encouraging others to believe in their ideas and be resilient in the face of setbacks.

Maria Whitehead MBE

Maria is the co-founder of Hawkshead Relish, the Lake District producer of award-winning Relishes, Pickles and Preserves . She and her husband Mark established the business in 1999 growing it from a small café sideline into a family run brand with over 120 different products all made by hand in a 16thCentury barn on the edge of Esthwaite Water and sold to independent stores throughout the UK and worldwide with stockists as far away as the Middle East, USA, Canada and closer to home in France and Greece.

Maria was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s honours list in 2011 for services to the food industry in Cumbria, and her latest award was in September 2025 when she received a Golden Fork Award from the prestigious Guild of Fine Food for her Contribution to Food & Drink. Maria has also served the Food and Drink industry as a representative for SME’s on the advising on the UK Food and Drink Export programme with UK Trade and Investment, and remains as an Ambassador for the North West Exports with the Department of International Trade.

Richard Rankin

Richard has spent the nearly eight years as CEO of H&H Group plc — the UK's largest livestock marketing business and a diversified rural services group handling close to £300 million in gross annual throughput.  He came into the role in 2018 as a complete outsider to the agricultural sector, having spent twenty years in corporate finance at Deloitte and Armstrong Watson advising businesses on their most significant transactions.  That outsider perspective, he'd be the first to tell you, turned out to be the point.

Under his leadership, H&H has delivered four years of record results, grown turnover by 73%, and significantly strengthened its balance sheet – while continuing to invest in people, infrastructure and long-term capability.  That includes H&H's Future Leaders programme, which builds the next generation of management from within, and Farmstock Futures, which brings young people into conversations about the future of British agriculture at a national level.

Originally from the Northeast, Richard has made Cumbria his home since 2002 and has been an active contributor to the region's business community — including a decade on the board of Cumbria Tourism, championing Nourish Cumbria and his current role as a Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.  He is a GB Age Group triathlete and multiple Ironman finisher, and lives in Penrith with his wife Victoria, three children and two dogs.

'I’m looking forward to being part of this year’s Conference Cumbria, particularly given its focus on bold, courageous leadership at a time when I believe it really matters.
Cumbria’s full of opportunity if you’re prepared to think differently. Being bold isn’t about just making noise – it’s about making clear decisions and backing them, consistently and over time.'

Claire Aindow

Claire is the university’s pro vice chancellor for growth and development. She has responsibility for oversight of the university's growth agenda including ensuring that the university's portfolio responds to and is integrated into regional and national need. Claire's portfolio also includes collaborative provision partnerships (including transnational education), international student recruitment and leading on the university's international college development.

Claire has worked in higher education for over thirty years, first as a lecturer and senior lecturer in law, running Law and Business Studies pathways at Bolton Institute of Higher Education and teaching at the Open University. Latterly, she was Dean of the Off Campus Division at the University of Bolton, managing the university's partnership operations, and Head of Academic Partnerships at Ravensbourne University, London. Claire also worked for 13 years as a communications consultant, specialising in new media for the public sector; a diversity of clients leading to expertise in the operation of public sector organisations in the northwest.

With a degree in Law from the University of Cambridge and a Master's in Development Education and Global Learning from UCL, Claire has an academic interest in Global Learning and sustainability, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and acts as co-chair of the university's Athena Swan initiative. Claire is also on the Board of Carlisle College.

Tom Scaife, Partner at Knights

Tom is an Employment Law Partner with Professional Services business Knights, Chair of BECBC and a Carlisle Youth Zone Ambassador.

Tom has spent his career working with businesses of all sizes across the UK and further afield to resolve employment-related disputes. He has particular specialisms across manufacturing and hospitality sectors and is often considered a trusted adviser to businesses seeking support on wider issues.

Tom is a proud Cumbrian and is passionate about helping local businesses to succeed, as well as new businesses coming into the region to provide jobs and opportunities in the local supply chain. Tom’s work as BECBC chair gives him an insight into the energy supply chain, working with key regional and national stakeholders to maximise opportunities for BECBC’s 260 strong membership and the wider regional economy.

With thanks to our media partner, Platinum Live. And thanks to our lead sponsor Knights, and Cumberland Council.

Sponsorship opportunities are available – more details can be requested by contacting Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk

Agenda

Arrival from 9am
9.50am – Welcome 
10am – 11.15am – Sir Clive Woodward – The DNA of a Champion
11.15am – 12noon – break/networking/photo op
12noon – 12.30pm – Lou Kneath - When Pigs Fly: The Courage to Believe in Impossible Things 
12.30pm – 1.20pm – lunch/networking
1.20pm – 1.30pm – Rachel Bell, CT – Tour de France
1.30pm – 1.40pm – Cath Dutton – Cumbria Careers Hub
1.40pm – 1.50pm – Inspira – Connect to Work
1.50pm - 2pm - iCan – ADHD in the workplace
2pm – 2.30pm – Sara Murray - Beyond Boundaries – creating change, one adventure at a time 
2.30pm – 3pm – break/networking 
3pm – 3.45pm – panel discussion 
3.45pm – close

The Pencil Factory
Carding Mill Lane
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5NG
United Kingdom

Member ticket - £125.00 +VAT
Non Member ticket - £170.00 +VAT