Lightning Sessions

A chance to hear local entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders give a lightning talk about their experiences and to ask them any burning questions you may have. How they started up, the bumps in the road, how they handled the challenges, their successes and where they are heading in the future…

For this, our first Lightning Session, we welcome back Chadderton-born Ryan T Williams who was a huge hit at our BGH Alumni Summer Showcase in June. Ryan is recognised for co-founding some of the largest social media publishing brands in the UK, including the KOMI Group and It’s Gone Viral. In 2022, following a successful exit from the KOMI Group, he shifted his focus towards nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through his mentorship and speaking engagements.

We’ll also be joined by Reform Radio Director, Sam Oliveira. This multi-award winning arts organisation has a multi-purpose workshop, studios and event space in the heart of Deansgate. It uses this space and the engagement of radio and other art forms to engage young adults in high quality creative opportunities, supporting them to develop skills, wellbeing and sustainable futures. The radio station provides a platform for their voices and creativity and broadcasts the best in music, arts and culture from Manchester to the world. 

 Sam and his RR colleagues Rachel and Jemma began broadcasting from the basement of their house share in 2014 and over a ten-year period have become both an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and Manchester City Cultural Partner. Reform Radio is also an independent production company, providing in-house pathways for the young people it works with and making audio and visual content for a wide range of clients including BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds. 

The line-up will be completed by our final leader, CEO of St Ann’s Hospice, Rachel McMillan. Rachel trained as a registered general nurse in the late 1980s in Manchester. For the last 20 years, she has experience in leading and managing numerous teams and organisations, developing a successful workforce, and striving to ensure goals and outcomes are met to a high standard.

Rachel is an experienced executive director and her special interests are leadership and innovation in healthcare, staff support and development, and enhancing and improving equity in healthcare, especially in the hospice sector.

As this workshop is fully-funded, businesses are subject to funders' eligibility criteria. If your place is confirmed, you will receive an email from us with further details.

• Greater Manchester Clients Only
• Micro business, small and medium-sized enterprise, or large business.
• Social enterprises where these engage in economic activity.

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Host or Publisher The Growth Company