Member Article

IFB reveals professional and financial services offering

The International Festival for Business (IFB) has revealed the first round of events dedicated to the UK’s knowledge, professional and financial service business communities.

Held over one-week during the 50-day business festival, the events will bring together leading representatives and key speakers from a range of sectors including accountancy, law, security and investment, health and property.

More events for the themed week are expected to be confirmed between now and June, when the global festival launches.

It has received positive interest from a number of leading industry bodies and organisations.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW), UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), Chartered Institute of Security and Investment (CISI) and the National Law Society have all announced they will be hosting events as part of the themed week, and in some cases as part of a series of events throughout the festival.

The first round of events and their partners include:

Business Ethics, Human Rights and Rule of Law – National Law Society, 19 June 2014

Business Futures Conference – ICAEW, 1 July 2014

The Chartered Institute of Security and Investment (CISI) Annual Conference – 3 July 2014

Health is Wealth Conference ­– Liverpool Health Partners, 26 June – 3 July 2014

UK Property Forum – British Property Federation (BPF) and others, 1-2 July 2014

The Federation of Small Business’ National Council – FSB, 1-3 July 2014

The National Investment Summit and Awards Dinner – UK Business Angels Association, 1-2 July 2014

International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE) 5th International Banking and Finance Forum – 2-3 July 2014

Leading Across Cultures – 3 July 2014

Additional themed events taking part throughout the Liverpool-based global festival will include the Chartered Institute of Marketing NW Conference, the IBDE Global Economic Forum and the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) Expo.

They will be held at various venues across the city, including Liverpool Town Hall and the Anglican Cathedral.

A large number of events will also be held at the IFB Hub, located at Mann Island and overlooking the world famous UNESCO waterfront, which will have a dedicated Professional Services Centre throughout the festival.

Max Steinberg CBE, chairman of IFB 2014, commented: “Showcasing the strength of the UK’s financial and professional services industries has always been a priority in our plans for IFB. We’re delighted to be recognising it with its own dedicated week of events.

“The events offer a rare opportunity to gain some valuable insight from some key personalities and industry thought-leaders. We’ve enlisted the support of some high-profile organisations and the diversity of the line-up really offers something for everybody.

“It’s crucial that industry professionals and business owners recognise which event will suit them best and act now to ensure they achieve the full benefits available later this summer.”

The announcement follows the launch of the International Festival for Business’s Business Club initiative, which aims to set up 5,000 meetings for UK businesses with potential new customers, partners and suppliers through a bespoke business brokerage service.

Companies which join the IFB Business Club, which launched earlier this month (February), will be able to access a range of facilities and services during the 50-day festival, including the brokerage service.

Members will have the unique opportunity to gain business advice via one-to-one appointments and business brokerage sessions with specialists in particular sectors and markets.

Advisors will come from a range of key bodies, including UKTI, CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, and the Federation of Small Businesses.

BT is the lead official festival partner for IFB. It provides communications services to around one million small- and medium-sized enterprises in the UK and to more than 7,000 corporate and public sector organisations in over 170 countries across the world. CNN International and the Financial Times are the official media partners.

For more information about the International Festival for Business and to join the Business Club, please visit www.ifb2014.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .