Entrepreneur Country Forum
Main Image: Peter Bazalgette opens the morning speeches; Above: Jo Malone MBE shares her business insights
customers and having focus and ambition as the key to results. Watney then began to discuss his investment experience, likening the relationship between investors and entrepreneurs rather humorously as ‘the marriage’ – particularly finding a partner, doing a dance and handling the break up
how to form that strong tie that would see the business grow, encouraging both parties to share information more freely, expose intimate details about the business and reveal each other’s key objectives. Richard’s concluding words of advice were refreshing, honest and uplifted a topic that is seldom spoke about in the business world, which the mixed audience seemed to truly
appreciate.
Following Watney’s speech was musician turned biotechnologist and serial entrepreneur Professor Simon Best OBE, who addressed the audience with decades of experience on how to create and sell successful
Richard Watney urged entrepreneurs and investors to think about how to form that strong tie that would see the business grow
and settlement. Watney also offered up pearls of wisdom such as ‘selling a growth business gives a better return than a profitable business’ and reiterated Malone’s emphasis on passion for your business, coupled with relentless focus and commitment. Watney also urged entrepreneurs and investors in attendance to think about
businesses. For Professor Simon, timing and luck played key roles, as did leveraging his skills and networks and applying his experience of the music industry when venturing into the biotech space. Beginning with an overview of his management of UK electronic new wave band The Human League, Simon then discussed his
work at the Roslin Institute. Professor Best broke down what could have been a complicated topic and completely engaged the audience.
Rene Rechtman, Head of AOL
International and CEO of Goviral rounded up the day’s proceedings with the journey that went from a concept for Goviral to a $100m exit, with Rene’s advice being ‘think international and know your growth path’. For Rechtman, the definition of an entrepreneur is someone who isn’t afraid of hard work and is able to think out of the box, revealing that he believed the key to his success was hiring great people and keeping up speed.
A host of excellent speakers coupled with panel discussions, debate and pitch sessions, as well as networking opportunities and the sharing and gathering of knowledge made the Entrepreneur Country Forum a day to remember. We thank all Entrepreneur Country Citizens who were able to attend the event and we look forward to seeing you at our next gathering. We would also like to thank the following sponsors on the day;
Santander UK, Smith and Williamson, Constant Contact, Crowell and Moring, FreeAgent, Rackspace, Nabarro, Ariadne Capital, RM2 and IBM.
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