Walter Gleeson
Co-founder of Music Magpie, the international platform for refurbished electronics and secondhand media, which became one of eBay’s most successful sellers.
Shropshire Business Conversation
The room where big conversations happen!
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Telford International Centre
Introducing a new and exclusive post-festival event for Shropshire's real power players.
Shropshire Business Conversation isn't just another networking event. It's a dinner where the county's most influential decision-makers speak honestly about what it takes to succeed at the top.
No sales pitches. No small talk. Just the kind of conversations that change how you think about your business.
Including talks and panel discussions from Walter Gleeson, co-founder of Music Magpie; Deborah Mitchell, owner of Heaven Skincare; Will Stratton-Morris, former CEO of Caffè Nero; Charlie Blakemore, CEO at Intercity Technology, and Sarah Holmes, managing director of Merrythought.
Where: The Gallery, Upstairs at Telford International Centre
When: Straight after Shropshire Business Festival, 6pm - 10pm
Ticket only.
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Celebrating Shropshire Business
Shropshire Business Festival is collaborating with Shropshire Business Magazine to mark their 10th anniversary. To celebrate a decade of championing local business excellence, we're bringing together some of their most iconic cover stars from the past ten years, who will join us for dinner and lead talks and panel discussions.
Enjoy a beautifully prepared two-course dinner, intimate panel discussions and honest talks, surrounded by Shropshire’s best leaders.
The format is designed for one thing: conversations that stick with you long after the evening ends.
Shropshire Business Conversation is intentionally intimate, deliberately curated, and aimed squarely at senior leaders who are shaping this county's economic future.
The lineup
Deborah Mitchell
From kitchen experiments to a Royal Warrant. Heaven Skincare is now trusted by royalty and A-listers worldwide. Deborah will tell you exactly how she made luxury organic skincare a global obsession.
Will Stratton-Morris
Former CEO of Caffè Nero, now scaling global hospitality brands as Group Chief Business Development Officer. If you're thinking about growth, Will's already mapped the territory.
Charlie Blakemore
Four decades navigating defence, aerospace and IT. Now CEO at Intercity Technology. If you want to know how to lead through industry upheaval, Charlie's lived it.
Sarah Holmes
Managing Director of Merrythought, steering one of Britain's most beloved heritage brands into its next chapter. Tradition meets innovation. She's mastered both.
Steven Owen
Managing Director of Pave Aways, based at Knockin near Oswestry. Steve won the John Clayton Award in 2025 recognising his contribution to the Shropshire business community. Steven – a huge advocate of apprenticeships - led a management buyout of Pave Aways in 2011, which helped to drive the company’s turnover over £22 million.
The Menu
Main:
Sage-roasted chicken, gratin potato, silver skin onions, and pine nuts with red wine sauce
Sun-blushed tomato risotto balls filled with confit pepper centre served with herby potatoes and finished with roasted plum tomato and basil sauce (vegan)
Dessert:
Raspberry cheesecake
Important Information
Guests will be seated by 7:00pm.
Dress code: Smart casual.
The bar will be open from 6:00pm.
Please have your ticket on your device or printed for checking.
Our five speakers will be randomly placed on tables, so you never know, you might just be sitting next to one of them!
Secure your place now
Places are strictly limited. Tickets are £53.99, which includes a two-course dinner, complete access to every talk and discussion, and a room full of people who actually understand the decisions you are making every day.