This event is funded by the LSC and supported by emda. It is free to attend.

Tuesday 6th December 2005
National Space Centre, Leicester
9.30am - 4.30pm

"Leaders stand out by being different. They question assumption and are suspicious of tradition. They seek out the truth and make decisions based on fact, not prejudice. They have a preference for innovation."

Places for this conference are limited and we would therefore like to ensure that delegates who register to attend are available to stay for the whole day.

Visionary leadership and competent management skills are fundamental requirements for organisations which need to adapt, change and evolve in an increasingly global economy.

There is compelling evidence that links high performance work organisations and investment in skills development with increased productivity and profitability. Increasingly, it is being acknowledged that these skills are also essential 'life skills' to be fostered and encouraged in all individuals.

The East Midlands aspires to become one of the top 20 regions in Europe by 2010 and to achieve this, it needs to improve the overall performance and competitiveness of its business population.

Achieving a step change in the quality of the East Midland;s management and leadership capability is a major challenge. It requires the support and co-operation of many partners and drawing together the array of existing and developing relevant programmes, policies and activities into a more coherent package. This way we will generate a much greater impact as a result and also shape the development of future strategies.

Who should attend?

The East Midlands Inspirational Leadership Conference will give the strategic view and practical guidance on how strong leadership and the development of an entrepreneurial spirit within your business is fundamental to its development and growth. The day will focus on trends and new developments, highlighted by experts within the field.

For any organisation to thrive in the face of increased domestic and global competition, maintaining an entrepreneurial culture is essential. A key part of any Director or Manager's role is driving the organisation forward and championing strong and effective leadership in all areas of their business.

It will be of particular interest to you if you are a Director or Manager of an SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) with a desire to ensure that your company remains entrepreneurial, flexible and creative as it grows.

Benefits of attending:

• Discover where the value is really derived from strong leadership
• Gain a better understanding of the importance of developing and maintaining an entrepreneurial culture in your business
• Network with fellow associates and learn from real-life experiences
• Take proven concepts back to your organisation that will have an immediate impact

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9.30 - Registration

10.00
Karen Woodward, LSC
Samantha Gemmell, emda
Michael Davis, Centre for Enterprise
- Followed by Q&A and Table Discussions
Richard Worsley, The Tomorrow Project
- Followed by Q&A and Table Discussions
- Refreshment Break
Nigel Crouch, DTI Innovation Group
- Interactive Seminar

1.00 - Lunch

1.45
Chris Corbin, Ashfield Healthcare
Followed by Q&A
Ruth Regan, Regan Consulting
Followed by Q&A and Table Discussions
Simon Caulkin, The Observer
Followed by Q&A and Table Discussions
Conclusion

4.30Close

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Karen Woodward
Regional Skills Director LSC

The majority of Karen's career has been in the Public Service sector, including the Inland Revenue and Department for Employment, she joined a development team responsible for establishing one of the first Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) in the Country.

On secondment to the Derby and Derbyshire Enterprise Agency as Executive Director she was responsible for a complete turnaround in the organisation's profitability. Karen joined the LSC in Derbyshire as Head of Employer and Schools Liaison. She was instrumental in helping Derbyshire secure one of the first ever Employer Training Pilots in the Country. Karen was then promoted to the role of Regional Skills Director for the East Midlands' LSCs.

Samantha Gemmell
Board Member, East Midlands Development Agency (emda)

Samantha is Managing Director and cofounder of Creative Media Matrix Ltd, a Nottingham based media production company. In 1993 she was honoured as one of the Women of the Year. She is a former member of the CBI's SME Council and a director of EM Media.

She was one of the founder members of the Small Business Council and Chair of the skills group with a remit to advise the government on policy and strategy for entrepreneurs. Her responsibilities as a board member of emda are Learning and Skills and Business Support.

Sam has a particular interest in SME workforce development and support for young entrepreneurs.

Michael Davis
Managing Director, Centre for Enterprise (CFE)

Centre for Enterprise is a public interest company that fosters wider reflection and debate on innovation in the implementation of public policy. Prior to joining CFE in 1999, Michael was Policy Team Leader at TEC National Council, assisting in the development of policy in relation to workforce development, economic development and economic competitiveness.

Michael holds numerous Non-Executive Director roles including the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), an independent company which works to raise the standard of small business learning and skills support.

Michael graduated from Lancaster University in 1994 with a BA (Hons) in Economics.

Richard Worsley
Director, The Tomorrow Project

Centre for Enterprise is a public interest company that fosters wider reflection and debate on innovation in the implementation of public policy. Prior to joining CFE in 1999, Michael was Policy Team Leader at TEC National Council, assisting in the development of policy in relation to workforce development, economic development and economic competitiveness.

Michael holds numerous Non-Executive Director roles including the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), an independent company which works to raise the standard of small business learning and skills support.

Michael graduated from Lancaster University in 1994 with a BA (Hons) in Economics.

Nigel Crouch
Senior Industrialist, DTi Innovation Group

Nigel has held a number of senior marketing positions with Cadbury Schweppes, both in the UK and internationally and was on the Board of Reckitt and Colman as New Business Director of their Household Products Division. He moved into general management with Ciba and was then Managing Director of the Evo-Stik Adhesives and Sealants Business of Evode Group plc for almost nine years.

He currently runs his own Investment Business and spends part of his time working with the Innovation Group at the Dti, where he is leading on Leadership Issues and the Sunday Times "100 Best Companies to Work For" Programme.

Chris Corbin
Managing Director, Ashfield Healthcare Limited

Chris holds a strong belief that people are its most important resource and implements strategies to reward success and motivate his staff. Chris began his career as a medical representative and, during 20 years working for pharmaceutical companies he gained extensive experience in sales and management. In 1997 he started his own business, Ashfield Healthcare, supplying contract sales teams and nurse advisors to the pharmaceutical industry. Ashfield is now one of the leading contract service organisations in the UK with a turnover of £47 million and has successful divisions in the Republic of Ireland and the USA.

Ruth Regan
Director, The Regan Consulting Practice Ltd

Ruth has been enabling leaders develop their skills for over 15 years. During the 1990's she was, as well as being a director of Southern Derbyshire Chamber, the managing director of Blackbook House Ltd. a very successful management training centre. During this time she also held a number of non-executive directorships within various SMEs. For the last four years she and her husband have worked together establishing their own organisational development consultancy.

She believes that successful business stems from the behaviours of it's leaders, and spends time coaching managers to enable them to recognise the impact they have on their employees own behaviours at work.

Simon Caulkin
Management Editor, The Observer

Simon writes mainly on management and business for the Observer and on many other subjects for a wide range of UK and foreign publications. A former editor of Management Today, he has also contributed articles on the theatre for the Economist, the film industry for the New Statesman, men's health (Men;s Health), birds and wine (Country Living), photography (Company) and England for a Belgian newspaper.

He has edited several books for gurus and numerous reports. He was also editor-in-chief of a ground-breaking management website.

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National Space Centre
Exploration Drive
Leicester
LE4 5NS
Tel: 0116 261 0261

By Road:
The National Space Centre is located just off the A6, two miles north of Leicester City Centre, midway between Leicester's inner and outer ring roads. Brown signs with a distinctive rocket logo will direct you from the arterial routes around Leicester.

By Train: Midland Mainline and Central Trains serve Leicester station. From opposite the railway station, take the First Leicester number 54 Yellow Line bus (which runs every 10 minutes during the day) to Abbey Lane. The Space Centre is a short walk away down Corporation Road and Exploration Drive.

By Bus: The First Leicester number 54 Yellow Line bus stops on Abbey Lane, a short walk from the Space Centre. The bus can be picked up opposite Leicester railway station or in the City Centre on Charles Street and on Belgrave Gate.

For more details call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.