The CEO of Britain’s biggest bike producer is heading to Cumbria next month to deliver an inspirational talk to local businesses.

Will Butler-Adams (OBE), CEO of London-made company, Brompton Bikes, will share his experiences of leading one of the most innovative and rapidly growing companies in the UK to offer inspiration and practical ideas of how Cumbria’s SMEs can use innovation to drive their own company’s success.

The event will take place on Tuesday 18^th September between 1pm and 4pm at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal. It is free to attend and attendees will have lunch provided and time for networking opportunities.

The talk is arranged as part of Cumbria Forum, an SME support programme that offers an invaluable peer-to-peer network and activities to stimulate self-development and business growth, as well as a masterclass programme with high-profile inspirational speakers. The programme provides the opportunity for owner-managers of Cumbria SMEs to step away from their businesses and develop themselves in a supportive environment with help from peers as well as experts from Lancaster University Management School.

Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bikes, said: “I hope by sharing some insight into how our ethos has helped to drive our growth over the last 15 years will help other companies.

“We’ve come a long way from our SME roots and innovation has been key to our success. We now design, produce and distribute over 45,000 folding bikes each year from our factory in West London; with 75% of the bike parts designed in house and over 50% manufactured on site.”

Helen Atherton, Lancaster University Management School Programme Manager for Cumbria Forum, said, “Will always has an eye on the future and promises to host a lively and interesting session that will present a great opportunity for local business leaders.

“Will’s passion is clear. Driven by his dream to see 40% of Londoners cycling by the time he reaches 80, he is leading a new surge in British manufacturing as popularity of electric bikes increases, and has subsequently grown the business from 27 to over 280 staff. I’m sure Cumbrian SMEs will take a lot away from the experience.”

Cumbria Forum is eligible to B2B Cumbrian SMEs employing fewer than 250 people and with a turnover of less than £40million. Participation in the programme is free - made possible through the European Regional Development Fund.

To register to attend the event, please call Pete Cornwall on01524 510728 or email cumbriaforum@lancaster.ac.uk

To find out more, visit:https://brompton-bikes-cumbria.eventbrite.co.uk