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Climb25 and Climb26

Who was there

The partners, exhibitors, speakers and guests who made Climb25 and Climb26 The Festival of Business Growth, and what they said about it in their own words.

A full audience facing the main stage under the Climb26 screen
Delegates gathering between busy stands on the expo floor
A crowd throwing their hands in the air at a Busk Your Business pitch

What people said about Climb26

Partners, exhibitors, speakers and guests on Climb26, quoted word for word.

It was so nice to be part of an event that really champions growing businesses in the UK and I've met some fantastic people this week who I hope to stay connected with.

Rachel KellyPartnership Manager, Caspian Insurance

A big pink stand at a business expo? You'd think you know who's stopping by. Wrong! We are absolutely DELIGHTED by how many female founders and leaders came to see us. The calibre of people building in this space is unreal. And just as many allies came to find us too! Diversifying tech only works if everyone's on board

Girls & Tech

If there was one takeaway from Climb26, it's this: Growth isn't a straight line. Adapt. Build strong foundations. Diversify. Find great people. Keep moving. And perhaps most importantly: Remember - you're probably doing better than you think. Yesterday was the first time I had attended Climb. I found it useful, insightful, energising and now I have lots of ideas.....if you haven't been before I would check out next year's

Louise SawBusiness Growth Manager, City of York Council

ClimbUK - Climb26 rocked!!! Thank you so much. Fantastic festival promoting business growth, encouraging founders and investors and the whole ecosystem in the north of England. [...] Of course this event was an incredible opportunity for those of us selected to go, to develop our businesses and we are grabbing that with both hands, but also how fabulous to be show-casing the talent, drive, purpose and business success in the north. We are prepared to put the graft in. It was never more evident that innovation is not curtailed at the Watford Gap. Thank you Gordon Bateman and your team. You should be so proud.

Louise ThompsonCEO & Founder, Myfolks

Yesterday I returned to attend ClimbUK. Invited by the energy field that is Gordon Bateman to speak on a panel about later stage funding and then I ran a more intimate bootcamp on VC Readiness and Red Flags for deeptech / lifescience / uni spinouts. The panel was nicely opinionated (the best kind), with great fellow panelists, [...]. We discussed the changes by round stage, growing pains for scaleups and the need to not go through the scaling and raising phase without great advisors in your corner (like VenturePath!). [...] Maybe its the sun or my nostalgic thoughts of a younger entrepreneurial me rushing around Leeds decades ago, fuelling my optimism, but there is no reason why we can't create more venture-backed scaleup successes from across the whole of the UK, and ClimbUK was a great indicator we have the right components to make this a reality.

Ian MerricksFounder, Proposition Lead, VenturePath

We are delighted to be partnering with Climb26. As a leading UK law firm based in Leeds, we support businesses, investors and entrepreneurs seeking growth. Climb26 brings these people together and we are looking forward to making new connections and showcasing our expertise in private equity and venture capital transactions at our round table discussing how to prepare your business for investment. We are also sponsoring the High-Growth Business of the Year award which aligns with our aim of supporting ambitious businesses to achieve success.

Rebecca HoldenCorporate Partner, Blacks Solicitors LLP

NatWest is once again delighted to be partnering with Climb for Climb26, after immersing ourselves fully into the event this year. Why? Because we are fully committed in our support for businesses in the UK - from start-up, to scaling, to well established companies.

NatWest Group

We are also proud that Climb26 will be in Leeds again, supporting growth across all regions and counties of the UK. Regional growth is at the heart of our strategy: having Climb in such a dynamic and vibrant city adds to the impact. We will be out in force at Climb26 and the regional activation events across the UK - we can't wait to go again!

NatWest Group

We're delighted to partner with Climb26 and ClimbHealth as part of our continued commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators. Propel exists to help founders navigate the complexities of the NHS, to grow in confidence and then validate their innovations that will help to accelerate adoption.

Dr Neville YoungDirector of Enterprise & Innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber (Propel HealthTech)

Partnerships like this are essential in creating new opportunities for innovators to connect with the right people, from clinicians and health leaders to investors and industry partners. By working together, we can further strengthen the region's ecosystem and help bring transformative solutions to patients faster.

Dr Neville YoungDirector of Enterprise & Innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber (Propel HealthTech)

Working alongside ClimbUK enables us to extend this mission further connecting with a dynamic community of founders, business leaders, and forward-thinking organisations. This partnership is not simply about showcasing our capabilities; it is about engaging in meaningful dialogue, co-creating solutions, and strengthening the ecosystems that underpin long-term economic success.

University of Huddersfield

What inspires us most about this partnership is the opportunity to play an active role in a movement that champions progress, ambition, and real-world impact. Together with ClimbUK, we aim to create spaces where knowledge meets opportunity.

University of Huddersfield

Partnering with ClimbUK allows instantprint to support that same audience in a different way, by backing events that invest in confidence, leadership and learning. Climb26 brings people together in person, and print plays a big role in shaping how that experience feels.

instantprint

instantprint are proud to be supporting ClimbUK for Climb26 and excited to see where this partnership goes next. It's about more than printing materials. It's about backing people who want to learn, grow and build something better.

instantprint

We're excited to see ClimbHealth grow from year-to-year, and can't wait for the opportunities that ClimbHealth will bring - connecting you with some of the brightest minds in the sector, while bringing a range of brilliant exhibition stands, inspiring sessions and engaging content.

Medilink North of England Limited

ClimbUK gets this. Inclusion isn't corporate theatre. Regional innovation isn't secondary. And celebrating women who are building against the odds isn't charity, it's investment in an economy that actually works for everyone.

Jenny Garrett Global

That coffee queue conversation became something bigger. A partnership. A commitment. A belief that talent is evenly distributed but opportunity isn't.

Jenny Garrett Global

Climb26 will put our founders and entrepreneurs at the front of the queue for really transformative investment.

Phil WitcherleyDirector of Economic Growth and Innovation, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

Climb26 is the opportunity to build connections across the engineering and chemistry innovation space and help with our seed round investment.

Henrietta NewbleManaging Director, AnFiTest

Climb26 is going to give us the exposure that we want and will help push this business to where it deserves to be.

Mudrik Zubeir AhmedFounder, CaveManWF News

Our team is proud to have attended and spoken at events at Climb UK this year, as it extended beyond Leeds for the first time and headed into the heartlands of the UK, such as Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, and beyond. For us, this isn't just a calendar commitment. It's a reflection of how we've built our business.

Ryan SorbyPartner and Head of the North, Growth Credit, Palatine

Every city has its own edge and nuances, and the tour has recognised that.

Ryan SorbyPartner and Head of the North, Growth Credit, Palatine

What people said about Climb25

Speakers, exhibitors and guests on Climb25, quoted word for word.

Climb25 served as a powerful reminder of the energy and ambition that exists in the North of England, and why it deserves a bigger stage. In a region often underrepresented in the national growth and investment conversation, Climb25 gave founders, investors, and innovators space to connect, collaborate, and be seen. [...] The conversations we had are exactly what this network needs. We left Leeds Dock with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of momentum...

Kat PlantClient relations manager, Interactive Digital Systems Ltd

The energy, positivity and support in each and every room, whether presentation, workshop, socials in the square or networking was phenomenal - I saw perfect stranger connect through spending time eating their lunch together outside with us, then spend the rest of the day hanging out together. [...] I had unbelievable potential client opportunities through our workshop delivery and the quality people who scheduled networking introductions with me. Utterly loved it - thank you. Can we do it each quarter!?

Daniella WainwrightFounder, Wainwright Consulting

Congratulations, what a fantastic event! We thoroughly enjoyed it, and the initial feedback from all the NW CyberCom attendees, including senior leadership from Lancaster, has been overwhelmingly positive. There were lots of valuable connections made and even more conversations had! All of the NW CyberCom projects benefited greatly from being introduced to the business and investment world - quite a shift from the academic environment.

Chris WynneResearch Commercialisation Manager, NW Cybercom

Climb25 was truly magical and it was an absolute pleasure to be involved again this year as a speaker. All the talks and workshops I was part of were authentic, inspirational and thought-provoking, and the networking opportunities offered from the expo area, mixers and VIP drinks sessions, resulted in many meaningful conversations and countless valuable connections gained for myself and ProspHER.

Serena FordhamCEO, ProspHER

Climb is a MUST attend event! One of the best networking events in the UK for global business. The variety of panel talks, interactive sessions, pop-up stands provides a unique way to engage, learn and hear all things business! [...] on the back of Climb we were able to secure grants & business support from national (Innovate UK) / local (WYCA) government. Climb offers a unique experience to be able to meet with global leaders from all sectors. At Climb, you never know who you might get connected with...

Angus YoungFounder, Net-Zu

As a purpose-driven entrepreneur, I am passionate about helping marginalised folks to find more confidence and connection within their lives, through roller skating. It was refreshing to have an audience of diverse thinkers at Climb25 - I have been met with incredulity that I can build such a business! I could go on, but the theme for Climb25 this year very much seemed to resonate around finding the courage to be your weird self, therefore your audience and niche, and looking at the social impact of how we show up.

Melissa BlackwoodDirector, Roller Girl Gang CIC

Climb25 was such a thrilling and stimulating event for me. As a panelist during one of the Zally Zessions on Sales & Marketing, I was privileged to share the stage with some deep experts in go-to-market for start-up and scale-up companies. Apart from that, the networking opportunities were off the scale! I met so many founders, industry experts, functional specialists in technology, sales, marketing, funding and growth that I lost count. So many really valuable connections and insights that I was really buzzing and in fact hoarse from talking to so many wonderful people. I highly recommend the Climb event and I can't wait for next year.

Russell PalmerFractional CRO, Forward Balance

Being a part of Climb25 was truly an inspiring experience. My highlight was definitely meeting and networking with many incredible leaders but also speaking on a panel that was comfortable, natural, and professional all at the same time; it was truly a great experience. It really felt like a vibrant hub of innovation and connection, and the passion from everyone involved, especially the team, was palpable. It meant a lot to connect with so many driven individuals and contribute to such an important panel conversation around AI.

Russell BundyCo-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Just Verify

ClimbUK is a fantastic event and it was definitely worth making the leap across the pond from Los Angeles to attend. There is an electric, entrepreneurial spirit spotlighted at the Climb Events and it was illuminative to attend and a pleasure to participate as a panelist.

Jeff B. CohenEsq., Entertainment Attorney, Cohen Gardner LLP

The experience exceeded all expectations. The atmosphere was electric, driven by a genuine sense of innovation, collaboration, and ambition that made every moment inspiring. Hosting my panel I was met with insightful questions and the diversity of thought and depth of expertise made for rich, meaningful discussions. Climb25 was more than just a festival - it was a catalyst for growth and a hub of next-generation thinking. I walked away with new ideas, valuable contacts, and a renewed excitement for investing in the future of AI and technology. I look forward to seeing what's next at Climb26!

Caroline CartellieriDirector, C-Squared Consulting

Climb is all about building connections and creating opportunities. Being able to meet with the investment community and explore what we can do in our region to increase levels of business investment or seeing businesses we have supported continue to scale and take the next step makes this one of the key events of the year.

Mitchell McCombeInclusive Economy Manager for Business Investment, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

As part of Climb, the Combined Authority supported several events supporting young people in our region. It was inspiring and rewarding to see the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs who are bringing new ideas and innovations to the table and helping them make connections with investment professionals

Mitchell McCombeInclusive Economy Manager for Business Investment, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Partners and exhibitors

NatWest is backing Climb27, Climb28 and Climb29. Creative UK runs ClimbCreative, and instantprint is our official print partner.

Organisations that partnered with, exhibited at, spoke at or came to Climb25 and Climb26

  • AnFiTest
  • Barclays
  • Blacks Solicitors LLP
  • Blossom Training & Development
  • British Business Bank
  • C-Squared Consulting
  • Caspian Insurance
  • CaveManWF News
  • City of York Council
  • Clubit Group
  • Cohen Gardner LLP
  • CRSI
  • Forward Balance
  • Girls & Tech
  • Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber (Propel HealthTech)
  • Ingenion Medical Limited
  • instantprint
  • Interactive Digital Systems Ltd
  • Investor Ladder
  • Jenny Garrett Global
  • Just Verify
  • Lead Talent Management Consultancy
  • Loughborough University
  • Medilink North of England Limited
  • Mind Body Goals Ltd
  • MSC R&D
  • Myfolks
  • NatWest Group
  • Net-Zu
  • North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
  • NW Cybercom
  • Palatine
  • Perfect Cellar
  • picknmixAI
  • ProspHER
  • Roller Girl Gang CIC
  • Sucetas Technologies UK
  • The Calmness Crew
  • University of Huddersfield
  • VenturePath
  • vvast
  • Wainwright Consulting
  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Sessions with names you know

A few of the Climb26 sessions run with well-known companies.

Turning Attention into Action: Customer Acquisition with Meta

Scaleup Masterclass with Barclays, Google and Plexal

Google AI Build Session With Nocodelab.AI

From Prompt To Full Stack Prototype With Lovable and Nocodelab.AI

Scaling into the US for Consumer Brands: Lessons for B2C and D2C brands from Walmart Marketplace

Insight to Action - Cracking the US Market with Walmart Marketplace & Infinity Blue Group

TikTok Changed the Rules: The New Playbook for Business Growth

LinkedIn ROI: What's Working Right Now

Solve It in Bricks; LEGO Bricks

Innovation Competition Winners Showcase sponsored by Barclays

Redefining Possible: A Fireside Chat with Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock, brought to us by NatWest

Climb26 speakers and hosts

Everyone who spoke at or hosted a Climb26 session, with the role and organisation they gave us.

  • Tayo Adebisi, Founder / CEO, Tilz Prosperitas Limited
  • Chris Allen, CEO & Co-Founder, Broughton Group
  • Sarah Rose Anderson, Head of Music and Entertainment, BAND at Band Advisory Group Ltd
  • Melvyn Ansell, European and Chartered UK Patent Attorney, Secerna LLP
  • Tanya Arnold, Presenter, Tanya Arnold Media
  • Franklin Asante, Coutts
  • Luke Avon, Managing Director, Clear Capital Exchange
  • Karim Bahou, Head of Innovation, Sister
  • Julie Ball, Senior Client Partnerships Manager, Cpl Life Sciences
  • Sarah Barber
  • Gordon Bateman, Chief Executive Officer, ClimbGroup
  • Neil Bellamy, Head of Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT), NatWest Group
  • Diego Bermudez, Research and Impact Fellow, DICE Network+
  • Rebecca Bignold
  • Amy Bilton, Research Commercialisation Manager
  • Sophie Dale Black, The Portfolio House
  • Chris Borrett, Investment Director, Mercia Ventures
  • Charlotte Boundy, Founder, Bright Spark PAs
  • Tracy Brabin
  • Nick Bramley, CEO & Director of Impact, IMPACTUS Skills
  • Hugo Brooks, Author and Founder, Magnetic North
  • Carlton Brown, Academic, Consultant and Author, Aspire Consultancy
  • James Brown, Senior Business Advisor, ACAS
  • Abs Bulbuliya, Senior Investment Manager, British Business Bank
  • Victoria Burnip, Co-Founder and CEO, Cognitive HealthTech Ltd
  • Ethan Burniston, CEO, Burniston Media
  • Alastair Carrington
  • Max Cawthra, Fractional Finance Director, Wainwright Consulting
  • James Church, Author and Fundraising Partner, Investable Entrepreneur
  • Mike Clarke, Partner, YFM Equity Partners LLP
  • Emily Cloke, CEO, Creative UK
  • David Coe, Co-Founder and CTO, Lutèo Medical
  • Andy Coley, Principal Trainer / CEO, Leadership is a Skill
  • Rita Collins, Regional Director - Corporate Banking, NatWest Group
  • Dean Cook, Director - Business Growth and Global, Innovate UK
  • Kate Cooper-Fay, CEO, Cooper-Fay Harris
  • Sam Cooper-Gray, Chair, The Gender Index and Founder of The Women are Good Business Campaign, The Wisdom Studio Ltd
  • Tim Craggs, Founder and CEO, Exciting Instruments
  • Michael Crinnion, Founder and CEO, Mind Body Goals
  • Jason Crispin, Founder & CEO, AUDITSU
  • Rena Crossley, Destroyer of Dysfunctional Teams, Elevated Ltd
  • Gary Crotaz, Executive Coach, Writer and Speaker
  • David Crundall
  • Charlie Curson, Strategic Leadership Coach, Mandarin
  • Chris Dale, Market Leader, Coutts
  • Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder, Lifted Ventures
  • Karen Davies, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Relationship, Equans Sci-Tech
  • Graham Davies, Fund Principal, Mercia Ventures
  • Ruth Davison, Director of Environment & Place, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • Peter Denby, CEO, HyperFinity
  • Nicky Dibben, Consultant, Invention Marketing
  • Ian Donaghy
  • Mike Donohoe, Director & Head of Business Protection, Caspian Insurance
  • Benjamin Drury, Advisor, Speaker and Author
  • Neil Dunlop, Independent Consultant, Neil Dunlop Consulting
  • Hannah Duraid, CEO and Founder, Gameshow All-Stars and The Great Escape Game
  • Caroline Dyer, Founder, Heard Storytelling
  • Iain Edwards, Investment Readiness Specialist, RTC North
  • Abigail Elias, Co-Founder and CTO, Lutèo Medical
  • Wayne Elliott, Associate Director of Commercial Enterprise, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Tony Ereira, CEO, Come Play With Me
  • Darren Evans, Managing Director, The Engine Room
  • Mohamed Ezeldin, VP, Head of Labs, Animoca Brands
  • Amin Fathi, CEO & Co-Founder, Innovarus
  • Clair Flynn, Manager, People Partnering, Employment Hero
  • Sarah Frankland, Head of Validation & Regulatory Affairs, Equans Sci-Tech
  • Sharon Fuller, SVP Sports, OS Studios
  • Jenny Garrett, CEO, Jenny Garrett Global
  • Tom Gigg, Channel Account Manager, Inngot
  • Milette Gillow, Co-founder & CEO, The Tech Bros
  • Sarah Glanville, Strategic Partnerships Manager - UK & IE, Medilink North of England
  • Daniel Glazer, London Office Managing Partner, Wilson Sonsini
  • Parik Goswami, Director of Research and Innovation; Professor of Technical Textiles, University of Huddersfield
  • Yvonne Grady, Director of Innovation and Digitisation, GM Business Growth Hub
  • Andy Gray, Founder, BlockRocket.tech
  • Jane Green, Health Tech Cluster Lead, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • Ross Green, CEO, Embryo
  • Bridget Greenwood, Director, The200bnClub
  • James Haddleton, CEO, Haddletons
  • Emma Haggas, Director, Rinew Legal
  • Richard Hall, CEO
  • Eve Hanks, CEO & Founder, MI:RNA
  • Julian Hardy, CEO, Original Version
  • Helen Hardy, CEO, FOUDYS
  • Dean Hartley, Investor & Advisor, Chevet Technology
  • Adam Hawley
  • Clair Heaviside, Chief Creative Officer, Embryo
  • Sam Heilds
  • Volker Hirsch, Partner, Brainworks Ventures
  • Yuan-Feng Ho, Medical Student, Zero Gravity
  • Rebecca Holden, Head of Corporate, Blacks Solicitors LLP
  • Rebecca Hopwood, Managing Director, YouBee Media Limited
  • David Houghton, Founder, Common Ventures
  • Edward Humphrey, CEO, CloudWize
  • Nasar Hussain, Founder, ITC
  • Hana Hussain, Investment Director, Big Issue Invest
  • Chris Iveson, Founder and CEO, FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics Ltd
  • Keith Jackson, Founder, 8-Q Limited
  • John Jeffers, Strategic lead Growth Partnerships, ACAS
  • Andrew Jenkins, Inspirational speaker, Strength in you Ltd
  • Paul Johnson, Founder Chairman, Radar Healthcare
  • Claire Johnson, Head of Leadership Development, Shrine London
  • Andy Johnson, Strategy Director, Journey Further
  • Tracey Johnson-Murphy, Director, TECH SY
  • Matthew Jones, Managing Director, LimestoneGrey
  • Bradley Jones, Founder & CEO, ThatRound Ltd
  • Jonathan Keeling, Partner, Haatch
  • Tamanna Keir, Legal Director, Hill Dickinson
  • Tom Keithley
  • James Kinsella, CEO, Bluetree Group Ltd
  • Gray Kueberuwa, CEO, Immunokey
  • Malin Svanberg Larsson, Partner, Freeths
  • Giovanna Laudisio, CEO, Naturbeads Ltd
  • Guy Levine, Managing Director, Return On Digital Limited
  • Jonathan Lewis, Corporate Finance Partner, Armstrong Watson
  • Marisa Lloyd, Founder, The Agenda Lounge
  • Dr Tony Lloyd, Consultant Neurodiversity Trainer & Coach, DrTonyLloyd.com
  • Peter Lowes, Managing Director, Present Works
  • James Lucas, Founder Advisor
  • Ellie MacDonald
  • Katie Mallinson, Managing Director, Loquiti Ltd
  • Douglas Mancini, Senior Operating Partner, Closing Foundry
  • Richard Marais, CEO, My T Bioscience
  • Lou Matthews, Founder, Culture Craft
  • Chloe Mayirou, Agency Partner, Meta
  • Stuart Clarke MBE, Founder & Chair, Leeds Digital
  • June Angelides MBE, Venture Partner, Samos Investments
  • Simon McCoy, News Anchor & Broadcaster, Real McCoy Media Ltd
  • Barrie McDermott, Director, Forward Pack
  • Christina Colmer McHugh, Emotional Resilience Chief Officer, CCM Universal
  • Ben McMullan, NatWest Group
  • Jonny McNamara
  • Katherine Megson, Head of Innovation & Growth, Bruntwood SciTech
  • Emma Mellor, Financial Controller, Mysing
  • George Mensah, VC Investor, SVV (Sure Valley Ventures)
  • Tim Mercer, CEO
  • Ian Merricks, Proposition Lead, VenturePath
  • Abbie Miladinovic, Strategic Lead - Growth and Sector Development, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
  • Stephanie Millward
  • Rahul Misra, Head of Investment, Creative UK
  • Damian Mohammed, Founder and CEO, Northern Arc Partners
  • Giles Moore, Regional Development Manager, PXN Group
  • Sophia Kupse MSc, Senior Business Advisor, ACAS
  • Ingrid Murray, Founder CEO, JamHUT
  • Alex Murray, Founder & CEO, CANVVS
  • Dahren Naidoo, Partner, Freeths
  • Mark Northen, Head of Innovation Banking, Barclays Business Banking, Barclays Bank UK PLC
  • Deborah Okenla, Founder, YSYS
  • Helen Oldham, Co Founder, Lifted Ventures
  • Zahida Omar, Director, Axis Consulting Group Ltd
  • Christopher Owen, Director, Coliberate
  • Amardeep Parmar, Cofounder, Bae HQ
  • Yogan Patel, Head of Life Sciences/Pharma/MedTech, MHA Bakertilly Int
  • Jashan Patel, Founder & CEO, Moonspring AI
  • Louise Perkin, Partner, Solicitor (England and Wales), HLK
  • Jason Perry, Director of Seller Success, Walmart Marketplace
  • Helen Philippou, CEO, ClotProtect Therapeutics
  • Mark Philmore, Client Director, MFL Insurance Group Ltd
  • Robert Pieroni, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development, gener8tor
  • Darren Pirie, Head of NatWest Group Accelerator & Strategic Partnerships, NatWest Accelerator
  • Kat Plant, Client Relations Manager, IDS Group
  • Erin Platts, Chief Executive Officer, Octopus Investments
  • Wendy Popplewell, Executive Director - Core Services, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Pat Porter, Founder, Myndtime Ltd
  • Richard Price, CTO & Co-Founder, Pragmatic Semiconductor
  • Jebran Raashed, Investment Manager, Octopus Ventures
  • Rashmi Raju, International Manager, Medilink North of England
  • Crispin Read, CEO, The Coders Guild
  • Nic Redman, Voice coach & speaking director, Nic Redman Voice
  • Alex Reed, Partner, Mountside Ventures
  • Karl Rego, CEO & Founder / Co-Chairman, London Executive Advisors Ltd / Harvard Business Angels UK
  • Arad Reisberg, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Social Mobility)
  • Guy Remond, CEO, EHE Venture Studio
  • Liz Rhodes, CEO, Art of Cloud
  • Matt Richards, Founder & CEO, Sponza
  • William Richmond-Coggan, Partner, Freeths
  • Mark Roberts, Founder, Red Line Foundry
  • Josh Robson, Chief Policy Officer, ScaleUp Institute
  • Simone Roche, CEO, We Are Power
  • Rachel Roche, Founder & CEO, PetPact
  • Ipsita Roy, Professor of Biomaterials, University of Sheffield
  • Mehrdad Sadraei, Co-Founder and CEO, SWAI Ltd
  • Steve Sankson, Relationship Management Lead, NatWest
  • Nigel Sansom, Executive Chair, PinPoint Data Science
  • Hazel Savage, Principal, Leeds Angels
  • Dean Seddon, CEO, Maverrik Digital Services Ltd
  • Gautam Sehgal, Head of Growth Solutions, Navigator Global at Santander UK Plc
  • Lisa Shepherd, Founder and Director, The Biskery
  • Jim Shirley, Founder, FundingHero
  • Sara Simeone, CEO and Co-founder, Nocode.ai
  • Nina Slingsby, CEO, OAHA
  • Janine Smith, Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub Director, GM Business Growth Hub
  • Christopher Ian Smith, Founder, EntrepreNERD Games
  • Ryan Sorby, Partner - Head of North, Palatine Growth Credit
  • Rory Southworth, Angel Manager, Fhunded Angels
  • Bianca Spruit, Leadership Consultant & Coach, Sprout Coaching
  • Justine Stalker, Partner, Claritas Tax
  • Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, Director General, EIS Association
  • Dahlia Stroud, Director, SBWD group
  • Martin Sutton, Investor, TenX Ventures
  • Rachel Swann, Founder, Rachel Swann Advisory Ltd
  • Clare Sweeney, Founder, Keepace Consultancy
  • Charles Talbot, Co-Founder, Closing Foundry
  • Ashley Tate, Co-Founder, Sheffield Angels
  • Mark Taylor, CEO, Automated Analytics
  • Louis Taylor, CEO, British Business Bank
  • Jen Taylor, Communications and Marketing Manager, NIHR Innovation Observatory
  • Keiran Taylor, Corporate Finance and Banking Specialist, BPR Heaton Accountants
  • Libbie Thomson, Community Manager, NatWest Group
  • Paul Thorning, CEO, CrystecPharma
  • Naomi Timperley, Co Founder, Tech North Advocates
  • Patrick Trotter, Head of Innovation & Commercialisation, Medilink North of England
  • Dave Tucker, CEO, Genio
  • Richard Tunstall, Associate Professor of Enterprise, Leeds University Business School
  • Daniel Vendyback, Managing Director - Angel Investor, Back Gardens Limited - Rally Yard Limited
  • Charles Veys, CEO, FOTENIX
  • Daniella Wainwright, Founder / Fractional CFO, Wainwright Consulting
  • Phil Walker, Co-Founder, Mettryx Ltd
  • Emma Walsh, Head of TMT within Barclays Business Banking
  • Carly Walter, CEO Founder, MAGI
  • Claire Ward
  • Jo Whight, CEO & Founder, Red Lotus Consultancy
  • Sam White, Global Founder and CEO, Stella Insurance Australia
  • Sam Whitehouse, CEO, Lightox
  • Ed Whiting, Chief Executive, Leeds City Council
  • Rich Williams, Broadcaster
  • David Williams, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Community, Ideas Community
  • Harry Williams, Technology Investor, Highland Europe
  • Jez Willis, Musician, performer and educator, Utah Saints
  • Tom Willshare, Co-Founder and CTO, Revela Health
  • Farah Wilson, Chief Legal Officer, Nisien
  • Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
  • Troy Wood, AI Investor, EHE Ventures
  • Andy Wood, Chair at WiSE
  • Liam Wright, Co-Founder, Atlas Innovation Labs
  • Oliver Yonchev, Cocreatd Limited
  • Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
  • Elizabeth Young, Investment Manager, PXN Group
  • Saeed Younis, Partnerships Director & Senior Coach, Power For Women
  • Nicole Zeno, Fractional Executive & Co-Host, What The Frac?

Where our speakers came from

  • 8-Q Limited
  • ACAS
  • Animoca Brands
  • Armstrong Watson
  • Art of Cloud
  • Aspire Consultancy
  • Atlas Innovation Labs
  • AUDITSU
  • Automated Analytics
  • Axis Consulting Group Ltd
  • Back Gardens Limited and Rally Yard Limited
  • Bae HQ
  • BAND at Band Advisory Group Ltd
  • Barclays Bank UK PLC
  • Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Big Issue Invest
  • Blacks Solicitors LLP
  • BlockRocket.tech
  • Bluetree Group Ltd
  • BPR Heaton Accountants
  • Brainworks Ventures
  • Bright Spark PAs
  • British Business Bank
  • Broughton Group
  • Bruntwood SciTech
  • Burniston Media
  • CANVVS
  • Caspian Insurance
  • CCM Universal
  • Chevet Technology
  • Claritas Tax
  • Clear Capital Exchange
  • Closing Foundry
  • ClotProtect Therapeutics
  • CloudWize
  • Cocreatd Limited
  • Cognitive HealthTech Ltd
  • Coliberate
  • Come Play With Me
  • Common Ventures
  • Cooper-Fay Harris
  • Coutts
  • Cpl Life Sciences
  • Creative UK
  • CrystecPharma
  • Culture Craft
  • DICE Network+
  • DrTonyLloyd.com
  • EHE Venture Studio
  • EHE Ventures
  • EIS Association
  • Elevated Ltd
  • Embryo
  • Employment Hero
  • EntrepreNERD Games
  • Equans Sci-Tech
  • Exciting Instruments
  • Fhunded Angels
  • Forward Pack
  • FOTENIX
  • FOUDYS
  • FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics Ltd
  • Freeths
  • FundingHero
  • Gameshow All-Stars and The Great Escape Game
  • gener8tor
  • Genio
  • GM Business Growth Hub
  • Haatch
  • Haddletons
  • Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
  • Heard Storytelling
  • Highland Europe
  • Hill Dickinson
  • HLK
  • HyperFinity
  • Ideas Community
  • IDS Group
  • Immunokey
  • IMPACTUS Skills
  • Inngot
  • Innovarus
  • Innovate UK
  • Invention Marketing
  • Investable Entrepreneur
  • ITC
  • JamHUT
  • Jenny Garrett Global
  • Journey Further
  • Keepace Consultancy
  • Leadership is a Skill
  • Leeds Angels
  • Leeds City Council
  • Leeds Digital
  • Leeds University Business School
  • Lifted Ventures
  • Lightox
  • LimestoneGrey
  • London Executive Advisors Ltd / Harvard Business Angels UK
  • Loquiti Ltd
  • Lutèo Medical
  • MAGI
  • Magnetic North
  • Mandarin
  • Maverrik Digital Services Ltd
  • Medilink North of England
  • Mercia Ventures
  • Meta
  • Mettryx Ltd
  • MFL Insurance Group Ltd
  • MHA Bakertilly Int
  • MI:RNA
  • Mind Body Goals
  • Moonspring AI
  • Mountside Ventures
  • My T Bioscience
  • Myndtime Ltd
  • Mysing
  • Naturbeads Ltd
  • NatWest Group
  • Navigator Global at Santander UK Plc
  • Neil Dunlop Consulting
  • Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Nic Redman Voice
  • NIHR Innovation Observatory
  • Nisien
  • Nocode.ai
  • North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
  • Northern Arc Partners
  • OAHA
  • Octopus Investments
  • Octopus Ventures
  • Original Version
  • OS Studios
  • Palatine Growth Credit
  • PetPact
  • PinPoint Data Science
  • Power For Women
  • Pragmatic Semiconductor
  • Present Works
  • PXN Group
  • Rachel Swann Advisory Ltd
  • Radar Healthcare
  • Real McCoy Media Ltd
  • Red Line Foundry
  • Red Lotus Consultancy
  • Return On Digital Limited
  • Revela Health
  • Rinew Legal
  • RTC North
  • Samos Investments
  • SBWD group
  • ScaleUp Institute
  • Secerna LLP
  • Sheffield Angels
  • Shrine London
  • Sister
  • South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
  • Sponza
  • Sprout Coaching
  • Stella Insurance Australia
  • Strength in you Ltd
  • SVV (Sure Valley Ventures)
  • SWAI Ltd
  • Tanya Arnold Media
  • Tech North Advocates
  • TECH SY
  • TenX Ventures
  • ThatRound Ltd
  • The Agenda Lounge
  • The Biskery
  • The Coders Guild
  • The Engine Room
  • The Growth Company
  • The Portfolio House
  • The Tech Bros
  • The Wisdom Studio Ltd
  • The200bnClub
  • Tilz Prosperitas Limited
  • University of Huddersfield
  • University of Sheffield
  • Utah Saints
  • VenturePath
  • Wainwright Consulting
  • Walmart Marketplace
  • We Are Power
  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • What The Frac?
  • Wilson Sonsini
  • YFM Equity Partners LLP
  • YouBee Media Limited
  • YSYS
  • Zero Gravity

In the room at Climb26

More of the organisations that came to Climb26.

Join them at Climb27

30 June and 1 July 2027. The Festival of Business Growth.

Get Climb27 tickets Partner with ClimbUK