REGISTRATION OPEN AND FIRST SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE RETURN OF POPULAR SHAPING THE FUTURE BUSINESS FESTIVAL
Registration for the Newcastle-under-Lyme business festival – which is to take place over five days in March – is now open.
The Shaping the Future Business Festival – which is supported by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – attracted 300 attendees when it first took place in 2025.
Organisers Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council, in collaboration with PH Production Services, were keen to build on last year’s success and have now announced a week-long of events, which will take place in and around the town.
The opening day on Monday 16 March, focuses on Employment and Entrepreneurs, then partners of the business festival for a second year – Keele University – will host an Innovation and Sustainability all-day event followed by a Business and Networking day at Newcastle-under-Lyme Boulevard in the town centre on Wednesday 18 March.
(Images by PH Productions from Shaping the Future 2025 event.)
The week will wrap up with a Women in Business event on the Thursday, which will be hosted by Sonya Farrall of BabaBaboon PR for the second time, and closing the festival on Friday 20 March, is Creative and Digital Industries Day.
Managing Director of Valentine Clays Hannah Ault, is featuring as a speaker for 2026, along with the following – David Beech (Knights), Steve Timmis of Sempar (Accountancy and Tax), Jonathan Lawton (Hixon Group), Alistair Machin (Chaffinch), Sud Basu (Outdoor Arts), Nicky Bartley (Thrive and Shine) and Usman Shah (Abzorbed IT).
Pete Herbert Managing Director of PH Productions said: “The 2025 Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival attracted businesses of all sizes and sectors who came together.
“Last year we delivered 25 interactive and educational workshops and there is going to be more on offer for 2026’s festival with seminars covering various themes from business growth and innovation, along with panel discussions focused on the creative and industries.
“We have also got some fantastic speakers lined up and we cannot wait to announce more with everyone soon. It’s going to be a jam-packed festival.”
Registration is required for people to attend the festival and business exhibitors are also being sought to have stands throughout the week at the various venues.
“There are several options available for organisations to come and showcase themselves at our events throughout the week, and for the first time the festival will have it’s very own dedicated mobile app,” adds Pete.
“Exhibiting is a great way to directly engage with the hundreds of businesses and professionals who are expected to attend the festival once again.
“Registration is also required to attend and can be done via our website where there we will also be information regarding times, venues, parking facilities and plans for the week. We cannot wait to welcome hundreds more businesses for 2026.”
The Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival takes place from Monday 16 – Friday 20 March 2026. For more information about exhibiting and registration please visit nulshapingthefuture.co.uk
