1284 Communications will facilitate the panel at a fireside chat between small business innovators to kick off Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026.

Managing Director George Oliver will speak with a panel of four Leicestershire business leaders who are putting R&D into action in different ways.

The festival, led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, runs from 9-13 March at venues across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, educators and business leaders over 10 events celebrating local R&D, innovation, productivity, and growth.

Across the week, the festival offers SME owners and business leaders the chance to access expert guidance on funding and business growth, discover new tools and technologies to enhance productivity, and network with peers, investors and academic experts. 

Delegates can also learn about innovation support services, explore university and specialist partnerships, and stay informed on AI, cyber security and other digital manufacturing trends.

Launch event panel

The fireside chat will be the main part of the festival launch event hosted by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. It will be an open conversation, giving attendees a chance to hear about practical steps Midlands companies are taking to build profits, income, and growth. 

George will speak with a panel of four leaders, each of them innovating in very different sectors. You can book now here. They are:

• Gerry Boyce, Director, Hive Composites and Met-Ol 
• Janie Morgan-Wood, Director, Frock Tales Ltd
• Craig Roberts, Business Manager, Cande Group 
• Angela Orton, Director, Structural Adhesives 

Together, the panel will give a small business perspectives on what is happening in innovation in Leicestershire today: the small changes with big impact in managing risk, attracting talent, building income, and explaining new ideas to customers and stakeholders.

1284 and Leicestershire Innovation Festival

1284 Communications has been involved with the festival since 2018, with George having co-founded the related Leicestershire Innovation Awards while serving as Editor of the Leicester Mercury.

Over recent years, 1284 has supported festival and event organisers with comms and stakeholder engagement work.

George will bring a storytelling perspective to the discussion, drawing on 1284’s work with organisations across technology, manufacturing, professional services and the public sector. 

He will talk with the panellists about the value of clear messaging, consistent narratives, and campaign planning in helping turn good ideas into investable, scalable innovation. 1284 is itself currently developing CommsTally® - its proprietary campaign management platform - after receiving a grant from Innovate UK last year.

George said: “My view has always been that innovation is not the preserve of large organisations and universities - anyone can look for ways to continuously improve.

“Small changes to SME productivity can bring large benefits - and we all know how important the growth of SMEs is to the UK’s economic growth as a whole.”

Leicestershire Innovation Festival offers SME owners and business leaders the chance to:

• Access expert guidance on funding and business growth
• Discover new tools and technologies to enhance productivity
• Network with peers, investors, and academic experts
• Learn about innovation support services
• Explore university and specialist partnerships
• Stay informed on AI, cyber security, and other digital manufacturing trends.

You can find times, venues and more details about each event as well as being able to register here.

NEED TO KNOW

What is Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026?

Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026 is the eighth annual week‑long programme of events. Led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, it runs from 9–13 March 2026 across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and celebrates local innovation, R&D, productivity and growth.

How can SMEs benefit from attending the festival?

SME owners and business leaders can access expert guidance on funding and growth, discovering new tools and technologies to boost productivity, networking with peers and investors, and learning about innovation support services, partnerships and digital trends such as AI and cyber security.

Why is 1284 Communications involved in the fireside chat launch event?

1284 Communications specialises in telling the story of East Midlands small business innovation. Founder George Oliver has been involved in the Leicestershire innovation ecosystem for around a decade, with 1284 now advising founders on ways to explain their innovations to customers, partners and investors.