As the UK ramps up infrastructure spend, the challenge is no longer investment but impact. This session will focus on the pivotal role SMEs play in translating major infrastructure projects into sustainable regional growth, and the practical steps needed to make that connection work.

Anthony started his career as an entrepreneur while he was still at school, selling stationery from his locker, and has since started, scaled and exited several businesses.

He is now Chief Executive of Be the Business – an independent, private sector charity that is working to raise the productivity of small businesses and, in doing so, improve employment security, job satisfaction, and standards of living. So far, it’s added £2.1m in sales and £915m in productivity to the firms it’s worked with.

Anthony is also a board member of Skills England, heads the International Advisory Board at UCL’s School of Management and chairs the City & Guilds’ Industry Skills Board. And he leads the Department of Education’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network – a network of nearly 3,000 of the country’s leading employers and apprentices.

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to small businesses.

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