The event, sponsored by Brother and EE, provides advice and inspiration for ambitious medium-sized and small firms. It will bring together a wide range of UK firms and leading figures from the world of business, including IAG chief executive Willie Walsh, serial entrepreneur Luke Johnson, the founder and CEO of Autonomy, Mike Lynch, chairman of John Lewis, Sir Charlie Mayfield and economist Jim O'Neill, former head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
The one-day event will focus on the challenges faced by companies in the tough economic environment - as well as the opportunities. Expert panels will offer practical sessions on topics such as financing growth; export opportunities; investment; and understanding digital.
The Festival will offer delegates the opportunity to take part in seminars and panel sessions led by top level business professionals.
Keynote speakers will include:
* Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways and Iberia
* Luke Johnson, UK entrepreneur and the man behind the phenomenal growth of Pizza Express, Strada, Giraffe and Dental Holdings
* Mike Lynch, founder and former Chief Executive of Autonomy
* Julie Deane, founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company
* Kathryn Parsons, founder of Decoded, a business that teaches people computer programming
* Jim O'Neill, former head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Tim Jotischky, Head of Business, TMG, said: “We are delighted to be staging our third Festival of Business, dedicated to the small and medium-sized firms which are the backbone of the British economy. The Telegraph is passionate about promoting the role of SMEs in driving growth and bringing business leaders and entrepreneurs together with the owners of these firms is a great way of exchanging ideas and expertise. But we are also making The Festival of Business channel at telegraph.co.uk a one-stop digital hub where SMEs can get advice and inspiration all year round.
"We have moved the event to London this year to coincide with the National Business Awards, taking place the same day.”
The National Business Awards will immediately follow the one-day Festival, taking place from 7pm at Grosvenor House, London. Now entering their 12th year, the Awards connect the nations’ business leaders through its annual ceremony and year-round thought leadership programme to celebrate enterprise excellence. Over 150 finalists have been announced across 17 categories and the winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, which will be attended by over 1200 of Britain’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and media representatives.
The Telegraph Festival of Business remains free of charge.
The official hashtag for The Festival of Business is #telegraphfob
