1. Hive - Blackburn & Darwen Business Leaders Network ‘Arte et Labore’: By skill and hard work Wednesday 1 st October 2014, Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Blackburn

2. Welcome and opening remarks Richard Slater, Editor

3. ‘The Buzz’ Khalid Saifullah, Chair of the Hive Network & Director of Star Tissue UK

4. Congratulations Hive! Commended for ‘Improving the business environment’ From left to right: Sir Rod Aldridge Cllr Kate Hollern, Leader BwD Ed Vaizey MP Neville Reyner CBE, Young Chamber

5. Hive on the global stage International Festival for Business 2014, Liverpool In good company with: Precision Polymer Engineering Promethean WEC … and the Prime Minister

6. Investment Transforming Blackburn town centre New Bus Station: Feb-15 New Leisure Centre: March-15 New Cathedral Quarter: Sept-15 -60 bed Premier Inn Hotel -32,000 sq ft Grade A office building -New Clergy Court -New public square and gardens

7. Hive businesses in the news Fancy some home renovations?! Crown – pre tax profits up to £22m at Dec-2013 Graham & Brown – CoolBrands status 5 years running! Herbert Parkinson – taking on 15 new staff

8. Education and skills Two new buildings opened over the summer Regional Automotive Technology Hub £5.5m Audi, BMW, Nissan, VW- Skoda, independent sector Meeting known skills gaps – Service Centre Management, Sales, Parts Distribution and Supply

9. Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio School Police Street, Darwen (behind the Leisure Centre) Combing work and education – placements, projects, professional qualifications Entry at Year 10 and 6 th Form Specialisms in Business & Law and Creative Digital Media (Health, Social and Child Care from Sept-15)

10. Launching a Plan for Prosperity Tuesday 18 th Nov 2014 11-2 - Hive members welcome Venue… Securing greater prospects for the Borough over the next 6 years Infrastructure & housing Business investment and innovation Employability Quality of life IMAGE AND MARKETING!!!

11. Prosper NOW!... Final call for Lancashire projects seeking Regional Growth Fund monies through Regenerate Pennine Lancs The Borough leading the way on projects across the County ABG – grants of £20k upwards FUSE – grants up to £50k for companies trading less than 3 years

12. 23 rd October 2014, 08:30-17:30, Dunkenhalgh Free event for Lancashire’s SMEs Key note speech from Lancashire’s Dragon’s Den investment winning entrepreneur Kirsty Henshaw (‘Kirsty’s’ – a range of healthy and nutritious ready meals) Topics for the day – Winning websites; Online customer relationship management; Using social media in business; How to use “the Cloud” Register at www.superfastlancashire.com

13. Enjoy the event, and keep in touch… 200+ members and growing – Meltech Engineering, Presspart Manufacturing Monthly newsletter @HiveBwD Interactive website www.business-hive.co.uk

14. ‘Rovers’ return’ Mike Cheston, Finance Director, B.R.F.C