Doug Richard to make keynote speech at launch of Big GAIN Dialogue
International entrepreneur and former Dragon Doug Richard will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Big GAIN Dialogue on how business innovation can be stimulated and supported in Plymouth and wider region.
Doug, one of the UK's best known and most inspirational business figures, will launch the Dialogue by engaging 100 selected leaders from business, media, academia and the public sector in a debate on economic issues and opportunities.
The event, organised by the Growth Acceleration Investment Network (GAIN), takes place in the Plymouth University Marquee on Plymouth Hoe on September 10, and will include networking opportunities and round-table discussions where business leaders can share ideas and gain insights into how other successful businesses operate and innovate.
Adrian Dawson, Head of GAIN Partnerships and Projects, said: "This event is part of the work GAIN is doing to build links between businesses, business support services and physical assets to create an environment that helps businesses to grow at whatever stage in their journey.
"Businesses attending the Big GAIN Dialogue will have the opportunity to meet and share knowledge and ideas with other business leaders of high-growth firms, as well as meeting and influencing decision makers and getting a greater understanding of what is going on in the region.
"With so many business leaders present, alongside key people driving the economic development of South West, the aim is also to seek to build cooperation among public and private sector to advance the regional agenda of economic growth."
Doug Richard, originally from California and now based in the UK, has enjoyed a highly successful career characterised by creativity and innovation. He founded and subsequently sold high-tech businesses Visual Software and ITAL Computers before going on to become President and CEO of US publicly quoted software company Micrografx. He is now a non-executive director of BrightPearl Software.
He is an active angel investor, the Founder of School for Startups and a member of the governing board of the Technology Strategy Board, the UK's innovation agency, and in 2013 Richard published his first book, How to Start a Creative Business.
Earlier this year the Government accepted the recommendations of his Report (Richard Review) into apprenticeships.
GAIN was founded by Plymouth University, Plymouth City Council and Tamar Science Park to drive business growth and job creation across the South West and the GAIN Dialogue aims to be a leading forum for the exchange of ideas, debate, and policy analysis. It is directed at highlighting opportunities, sharing good business practice and generating practical proposals for action.
The Big GAIN Dialogue takes place in the Plymouth University Marquee on Plymouth Hoe on September 10 2013, between 1800 and 2030.
A panel session will provide the opportunity for businesses to add their thoughts and experience to the wider economic debate on how the South West can create the right environment to stimulate and sustain business-led innovation.
Successful, growth-minded businesses who have something to say about innovation and would like to attend the event can register at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GAIN_2013 or email Mandi Barnett at [email protected]
Photograph: Lloyd Russell
