FSB welcomes addition of ‘St Leonards EXPO’ to the business calendar

The Federation of Small Businesses supported a NEW business exhibition at the Azur restaurant and venue recently. The ‘St Leonards Expo’ highlighted all that is best about local business with a range of companies taking stands and VIPs visiting and addressing the audience.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2013, 06:10 BST
Kevin Byrne, Brett McLean and Rob HillKevin Byrne, Brett McLean and Rob Hill
Kevin Byrne, Brett McLean and Rob Hill

Outstanding stands included local FSB members Fleur de Lynn florist and Carr Taylor Vineyard. The St Leonards Business Association took a stand and the newly formed Central St Leonards Town team were also present, led by their newly elected Chair, Erica Smith, of Wordsmith Design.

Event organiser Lord Brett McLean, who is the Chair of the 1066 Country branch of the FSB invited East Sussex County Council Chairman (and East Sussex businessman), Chris Dowling and FSB National Chairman, John Walker to open the event. Mr Walker spoke of the forthcoming FSB Annual dinner where he would be addressing both the Chancellor of Exchequer, George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable on the matters that affected small business. He expressed hope for a favourable business-friendly budget and improvements in access to finance for small firms.

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Two VIP real-life entrepreneurs attended and inspired the exhibitions visitors: Rob Hill of the Eventa Group is the current Sussex ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’. A keen FSB member, Rob leads a firm that is enjoying another year in the Sunday Times/Virgin fast track top 100 growing firms in Britain. Kevin Byrne is the Sussex ‘Business Person of the Year’. Another keen FSB member, Kevin’s firm Checkatrade and Checkaprofessional jointly sponsored the EXPO and he delivered some powerful inspirational tips for would-be entrepreneurs.

Lord Brett McLean (pictured centre with Kevin Byrne, left, and Rob Hill, right) said of the event:

‘We are so pleased to see so many local Sussex businesses buying into and supporting this exhibition. The Azur, another supportive FSB member, on the Marina seafront offers a spacious and bright venue with quality food and drink. This event is a welcome addition to the business calendar.”

The FSB also runs a regular business networking breakfast at the Azur on the third Thursday of each month. See www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussexevents All businesses are welcome.

Related topics:East Sussex