Herefordshire Means Business Conference
Members 2-for-1 offer available for a Limited time only!
Date: Thursday 5th November 2026
Venue: The Chapter House, Belmont Abbey, HR2 9RZ
Doors open: 8.00am
Breakfast: 8.00am - 10.00am
Presentations: 10am - 2.00pm
Why attend the event...
Expert Speakers
Main Stage Sponsor Xero
Our team have pulled together expert speakers who are designed to cater to a wide range of interests and learning styles, ensuring that there is something valuable for every attendee. This event is also CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accredited by CPDQC and all attendees will receive CPD points.
Networking Opportunities
The Big Breakfast - Sponsorship available.
Start the day by connecting with fellow delegates, speakers and businesses from across the Herefordshire business community.
Join us for a freshly cooked breakfast roll and refreshments, giving you the perfect opportunity to catch up, make new connections and get ready for the day ahead.
2 Course Lunch Included.
Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch, giving you another great opportunity to network, build new connections and catch up with familiar faces.
Boost your Business Visibility
Attending the event can elevate your profile amongst the local community. For businesses, this exposure is invaluable. It can attract new customers, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations that can extend well behond the Conference itself.
With so much on offer we are also including a breakfast roll, buffet lunch and free refreshments throughout the day. There is also exclusive member discounts to keep the day affordable.
Take a look at our 2026 Speakers
Sanjay Aggarwal - Chief Spice Officer at Spice Kitchen
Keynote Speaker
From kitchen-table retirement hobby to 700 retailers and Dragons’ Den: Sanjay shares practical lessons on becoming retail-ready and growing wholesale.
Sanjay offers an honest and refreshingly unpolished look at what it really takes to build a successful family business. He’ll share the highs, the mistakes, the lessons learned and the reality of working alongside his mum while growing Spice Kitchen from a kitchen-table hobby into a brand stocked by more than 700 UK retailers. He’ll also reveal what it was really like stepping into the Dragons’ Den and facing some of Britain’s most formidable business minds. Expect a warm, funny and practical talk filled with real-world insights for anyone building a business, developing a product or hoping to secure their first – or next – retail listing.
Rachel Keefe - Business Checkmate Ltd
Unlock the secrets of influence. Learn the fascinating science behind winning hearts, changing minds, and making your business completely unforgettable.
From boardroom tables to public-sector giants, national charities and local SME's, Rachel applies behavioural science where it matters most: with people.
With 20 years of cross-sector leadership experience, she knows how to unlock human potential and help teams and businesses thrive.
Discover the fun, nerdy science of connection! Learn how to be genuinely likeable, effortlessly memorable,
and brilliantly grow your business.
Phil Brace - Growth, Strategy, Governance - Former CEO at The Little Princess Trust
Phil is a proud Herefordian, who has worked for local, national and international B to B organisations in a director capacity before starting his own business in 1997 which he eventually exited in 2016. Phil's background was in business growth, sales and marketing. From 2016 to 2018 he spent two years as a business growth consultant working with local and regional businesses. Phil supported The Little Princess Trust since it was founded in 2005, later becoming a trustee and CEO.
Afternoon Workshops
A new addition to the Conference experience! The 2026 Conference afternoon will feature a choice of 3 Workshops, allowing attendees the choice of session they feel is most useless for their Business.
Sanjay Aggarwal - Spice Kitchen
How to Get Your Product on the Shelf (and Keep It There)
Drawing on 13 years of building Spice Kitchen from a kitchen table to a national brand, this session is built for founders who want a clear next step, not just inspiration.
Soesen Edan - Edan Sound
Sound Bath: Relax, Reset & Recharge
Switch off, slow down and unwind with a calming sound bath designed to help you relax, reset and recharge completely.
Sharon Baker - Kinder Digital Accountants
The 7 Habits Holding Your Business Back.
Discover the seven habits that quietly limit business growth, then learn three practical ways to increase revenue and long-term profitability.
Jess Williams - Design in the Shires
Turning your website into a growth engine
Make sure your website is found wherever your customers look and encourages them to engage and take action.
Meet The Host
Ollie Beale hosts and organises the HMBiz Conference, whilst studying a Business degree at the University of Worcester. Since it's debut in 2023, he has learnt and developed his skills on stage, including his emotional presentation highlighting his journey with mental health, and the importance of the message "It's okay not to be okay".
Ollie has also spoken on the Main Stage at two Xerocon events, in 2019 at the ExCel London and in 2022 at Tobacco Dock. His consistent striving for more led him to the title of 'Xero Ambassador', and he was rewarded by Xero paying his full university tuition. Xero continue to support Ollie's journey by supporting the Conference.
Away from the stage, Ollie is the Content Creator at HMBiz. You may find him creating videos at events, or behind the marketing across our social media channels.
LinkedIn: Ollie Beale
2026 Sponsors
