In a business environment shaped by rapid change and rising competition, growth depends on more than ambition alone.
Access to finance, contracts, skills and the right connections all play a critical role. The Durham Business Growth Summit brings these elements together in one place, offering a focused opportunity for established businesses across County Durham and the wider North East to plan their next stage of growth.
Taking place on 11 February at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham, and backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) through Durham Business Growth, the Summit has been designed to deliver practical support, meaningful connections and clear routes to opportunity. From securing investment and improving productivity to diversifying into new markets and winning public-sector contracts, the event is firmly focused on action and outcomes.
Aligned with County Durham’s wider economic ambitions, the Summit supports stronger local supply chains, improved productivity and sustainable growth that delivers long-term social, economic and environmental value. For attendees, this translates into a full day of targeted insight, networking and hands-on engagement tailored to the real challenges facing growing businesses.
A key feature of the event is the Funding Carousel, which gives businesses direct access to leading regional and national funders. Organisations including the British Business Bank, Maven Capital Partners, NEL Fund Managers, FW Capital, Big Issue Invest, UMi and Corporate & Commercial Business Solutions will be available for focused conversations around grants, loans, equity investment and alternative finance. By removing complexity and encouraging open dialogue, the carousel helps businesses understand what funding options are available and which routes best support their growth plans.
Another major highlight is the Meet the Buyer programme, delivered through the County Durham Pound initiative. Procurement remains a powerful driver of growth, yet many SMEs find it difficult to navigate. The Summit addresses this by bringing buyers and suppliers together in one space, creating opportunities for direct conversations and early insight into future contracts.
Confirmed buyers include Durham County Council, Durham University, Northumbrian Water, Karbon Homes and Believe Housing. Together, these organisations invest millions of pounds each year across construction, infrastructure, professional services, sustainability and technology, offering genuine opportunities for local businesses to engage with major procurement pipelines.
The Summit’s keynote programme adds further depth, with speakers offering practical insights from both finance and industry. Louis Ainley, Investment Manager at Maven Capital Partners, will share investor perspectives on raising finance to grow. Steven Doran, Carbon, Sustainability & Data Manager at Esh Group, will outline how sustainability is being embedded at scale through the company’s Even Greener strategy, while Emily Thornton, Water Efficiency Programme Coordinator, will highlight the role of resource efficiency in building resilient, future-ready businesses.
Designed for established, growth-focused organisations, the Summit will be particularly relevant to business owners, directors and senior leaders operating across priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, space and deep tech, net zero, logistics and the visitor economy.
Ultimately, the Durham Business Growth Summit is about access – to finance, buyers, expertise and partnerships. For businesses looking to grow with confidence, it offers a clear and practical pathway forward.
Registration is now open at www.durhambusinessgrowth.co.uk For ambitious businesses ready to move forward, this is one date firmly worth marking in the diary.