Love Business Speaker Theatre - Sponsored by ER Recruitment 

Bringing together the region’s most influential voices to inspire, inform and motivate. Our keynote speakers are leading business influencers whose success secrets, insights and expertise will leave you energised and equipped with the knowledge to take your business or personal development to its next stage of growth.

Our exclusive Speaker Theatre is sponsored and managed by ER Recruitment in partnership with Love Business Expo - ensuring a carefully curated line-up of high-quality content.

To maintain the exceptional standard of insight and inspiration, we have limited availability of just three speaker slots. This ensures each speaker has the spotlight to make maximum impact and each audience member experiences unmatched value.

2026 Speaker Theatre Lineup

10am - 11am - Kings Award Panel - “Fit for a King: Lessons from East Midlands King’s Award Winners”

Chaired by Rick Blackmore

Rick Blackmore is Director Of Policy & Insight at the East Midlands Chamber. A versatile and highly capable senior business leader with an extensive track record in policy development, stakeholder engagement and business development, Blackmore has a proven ability to develop strategic commercial partnerships, enhance membership services, and drive impactful policy initiatives. As the Director of Policy & Insight at the East Midlands Chamber, Blackmore collaborates with the Chief Executive to represent business interests and amplify the voice of business across the region.

Nick Megson - Managing Director - Abacus Flooring

Nick Megson is the founder and Managing Director of Abacus Flooring Solutions, a company specialising in high-performance resin flooring for commercial and industrial settings. He is known for his extensive experience (over 30 years) and his company's focus on sustainability and innovation, particularly with the development of a world-first resin flooring system made from 100% recycled plastic called Abaplas. Abacus Flooring has won multiple awards over the years and, most recently, was awarded a King’s Award. 

Emily Smith - Operations & Finance Director - Michael Smith Switchgear Limited

Emily Smith is a multi-award-winning business leader in the East Midlands. Her current roles include Operations & Finance Director for Michael Smith Switchgear Limited and Managing Director for AVW Fabrications Limited. She has driven key changes in the business, with particular focus on employees’ health, safety and wellbeing, as well as being a keen advocate for environmental issues, leading to Carbon Neutral status across the Group in 2021.

Peter Ellse - CEO - Cosy Direct

Peter Ellse is the co-founder and CEO of Cosy Direct, a company that provides eco-friendly, nature-inspired learning resources to schools and nurseries. He founded the company after realising a need for more outdoor, imaginative play opportunities for children, leading him to create a business that supplies natural, sustainable resources to foster creativity and connection with nature. Cosy Direct is one of 197 organisations in the UK to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Cosy has been recognised for its excellence in international trade.

Angela Orton - Managing Director - Structural Adhesives

Structural Adhesives Ltd is a UK-based company that specialises in creating advanced, high-performance adhesives for industries like construction, aerospace, and automotive. They have over 35 years of experience and operate the Luma R&D Laboratory Services, which provides custom adhesive development, testing, and technical support. The company is known for its innovative solutions, commitment to sustainability, safety, and diversity, and has been recognised with The King's Award for Enterprise.

11:30am - 12:30pm - The 9 Cashflow Commandments: The Levers You Need to Transform Your Business

Stephen Reeve – Head of UK Operations & Lead Business Coach – Entrepreneurial Business School

As business owners, our challenges are always related to either time, team or money. For over 25 years, Stephen has worked in local and international businesses to either help make the business more profitable, leverage the owner out, or to set the business up for sale. Stephen will talk about the 9 Cashflow Commandments, which are the only levers you need to pull in your business when looking for a meaningful change whether that be related to revenue growth, margin improvement or how you can leverage yourself to have more free time. Stephen will also talk about the CashFlow Ladder, which demonstrates your pathway from being a business manager to a true entrepreneur. This interactive session will give you real takeaways, and ideas you can apply in your business on the same day.

1pm - 2pm - On Air, On Brand: How to Build a Presence

Anne Davies DL - BBC news Presenter. Presentation Consultant. Speaker/Host. Founder of Fashanne.

Anne is an award-winning television presenter and journalist. Now the face of the BBC's nightly East Midlands Today. Anne is also an established presentation trainer and coach, a television producer and founder of Fashanne, Fashion Designers of The Future Awards, championing the design talent in our universities and promoting diversity on the catwalk. Launched in 2016 the Awards continue to grow and are held annually in Nottingham.

Expect an inspiring and insightful session from Anne, a celebrated broadcaster, journalist, and founder of the Fashanne Awards. Anne brings a wealth of experience in communication, storytelling, and personal impact. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on presenting with confidence, championing creativity, and leading with authenticity.