Local Support, International Reach
The Festival of Business features a compelling line-up of speakers — industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinking professionals — sharing their knowledge, experience, and strategies for success.
From keynote sessions to engaging panel discussions, the programme will explore emerging trends, leadership, innovation, growth, and the future of business. Whether you’re seeking fresh ideas, expert insight, or motivation to take your organisation forward, you’ll hear perspectives that inform and inspire.
You can attend speaker sessions in the Sports Bar throughout the day.
Tim Campbell is an entrepreneurial businessman with a focus on educating and empowering others. After coming to the public attention by winning the reality show The Apprentice, he worked closely with the Mayor of London to increase the number of organisations recruiting apprentices and set up his own social enterprise, Bright Ideas Trust, to support start-ups from underserved groups. With an MBE for his services to enterprise culture, he has since returned to the show where he started, now as Lord Sugar’s aide.
After winning The Apprentice he was catapulted into a world very different from his previous job at London Underground. Unlike others who attempted to make the most of their fifteen minutes of fame, he stayed with Alan Sugar to run Amstrad’s foray into the health and beauty market. When working with the Mayor to promote the positive advantages of apprenticeships, he became aware of how many unemployed young people wanted to start their own business but lacked the advice, encouragement, and investment needed to get started. After learning this, Tim decided to form the Bright Ideas Trust. Continuing to champion diverse talent, he works as Regional Head of Africa and Trading Futures lead for OSTC Group to hire diverse future traders and advises AMS, a global talent acquisition business, on their strategic Diversity and Inclusion efforts.
In presentations, Tim shares his entrepreneurial journey and his thoughts on what it takes to create and lead a thriving business. As well as relaying the importance of confidence, good planning, perseverance and the ability to build relationships, he emphasises the need for inclusion. Citing education as a key facilitator of social mobility, he talks passionately about apprenticeships and the impact that companies can have on their communities.
Furthering his commitment to education and inclusion, he sits on the City of London Corporation’s Education Board and supports the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. He is also a member of the Livery Companies, the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Government’s Windrush Commemoration Committee.
