/ News / Hear about the exciting opportunities for Lancashire's economy at the LEP's Annual Conference

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Annual Conference will bring together business leaders, policymakers and academics from across the greater North West to discuss the future of Lancashire’s economy.

Attendees will hear from the new Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, get an update on major cultural initiatives to promote the county and from industry leaders on the sector-specific challenges and opportunities facing Lancashire firms.

The key note speaker will be entrepreneur and founder of ‘Bank of Dave’, Dave Fishwick.

Dave left school with no qualifications, but went on to become the largest supplier of minibuses in the UK. Through his work, he has made government and policy-makers, industry regulators and multinational banks sit up and take notice.

The star of many TV shows including, Channel 4’s ‘The Bank of Dave’, he has torn up the rule book and generated huge media and popular interest around the world. An expert on entrepreneurship, business and finance, he shares the story behind taking on a seemingly impossible challenges, offering valuable lessons for businesses big and small.

Dave opened the doors of BurnleySavings and Loans Ltd (BS&L) in 2011 to provide local people with a real alternative to established high street banks. Trading under the slogan “Bank on Dave!”, BS&L was created in response to the decline in lending to small and medium size businesses after the economic downturn of 2007-08. Dave wanted to remedy this situation, and saw the need to reward sound business planning and enterprise by personally underwriting each loan and dealing with all customers on a case by case basis. Within six months the company had returned a profit and, in keeping with Dave’s radical principles, had ploughed those profits back into the community, donating them to charities and local good causes rather than awarding bonuses to himself or his staff.

Dave’s many TV series, focused on make a positive difference to peoples lives, include Secret Millions where he raised £2 million pounds to help disadvantaged young people across the UK and the award winning ‘Loan Ranger’ Series looking at the how payday loan companies exploit the poor, vulnerable and desperate.

An experienced pilot, best-selling author, 2 times BAFTA winner and an individual of great experience and character, we look forward to welcoming Dave to Lancashire LEP’s inaugural annual conference this October.

To hear more from David Fishwick register for your free place here

Guest Speaker – David Harland, CEO of Eden Project International

David joined Eden Project in early 2013 as Finance Director before becoming joint Executive Director later that year. He subsequently became the first CEO of Eden Project International, leading on the development of a portfolio of ambitious projects in China, Australia, the Middle East, Costa Rica as well as elsewhere in the UK including Eden Project North in Morecambe.

Alongside his commitment to Eden’s educational mission, David’s financial background has provided the basis for the growth of Eden despite challenging times and variable circumstances, and as the leader of a diverse and expert staff, he brings highly qualified expertise to bear on all of Eden’s projects both at home in Cornwall and around the world.

To hear more from David Harland about Eden Project North in Morecambe, register for your free place here