Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026 opened today with a fireside chat facilitated by 1284 Communications.

The launch session brought together small business innovators from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for an open discussion about R&D - and how local companies are turning ideas into commercial success. 

1284 Managing Director George Oliver led the conversation, speaking with four regional business leaders with wide experience of putting research and development into action.

The panel was: 

• Gerry Boyce (Hive Composites and Met-Ol)
• Janie Morgan-Wood (Frock Tales)
• Craig Roberts (Cande Group)
• Angela Orton (Structural Adhesives).

The panel shared first-hand experiences of driving innovation in their sectors - from advanced materials and manufacturing to creative industries, textiles, and business services. 

And, throughout the discussion, they highlighted the importance of managing risk, attracting and retaining talent, and communicating new ideas effectively to customers, team members, and stakeholders.

The event - which was opened with a welcome from Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, drew a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, educators, university officials, civil servants, and business leaders keen to explore practical ways to boost productivity and growth. 

Over 90 minutes, including an audience Q&A, the panel shared their practical experience of:

• Managing the risk/reward balance of innovation
• Finding the space - as busy SME leaders - to think about R&D
• Funding opportunities within the sector
• College and university partnerships to source new recruits and fresh perspectives
• Innovation in terms of people and process - not just tech and product.

George gave a storytelling perspective to the conversation, reflecting on how clear messaging and consistent narrative building can help translate innovative thinking into viable business opportunities. This includes benchmarking clear need against macro policy agendas, articulating out-performance against industry averages, and evidencing ROI.

He also shared insights from 1284’s own innovation journey - including development of its platform CommsTally®, which is supported by Innovate UK funding and goes to market within weeks.

George, who co-founded the Leicestershire Innovation Awards in 2018 during his time as Editor of the Leicester Mercury, said: “Listening to the panel, it was clear that the challenges and opportunities of small business R&D transcend industries and sectors.

“It was refreshing to hear such successful local businesses drill down into practical solutions they have found for successfully addressing common barriers around time, funding, skills, and risk.”

The week-long Leicestershire Innovation Festival is organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. It runs until Friday and features 11 events across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, offering business leaders opportunities to:

• Access expert guidance on funding and growth
• Discover productivity-enhancing tools and technologies
• Network with peers, investors, and academics
• Explore university and specialist partnerships
• Stay informed on AI, cyber security, and advanced manufacturing trends.