Steven Bartlett headlining 2024 BFA conference

The former Dragons’ Den star and ‘Diary of a CEO’ host will be taking to the stage to speak at the BFA’s annual event

The British Franchise Association (BFA) has announced that entrepreneur Steven Bartlett will be the headline speaker at the 2024 BFA Conference.

Bartlett, is the founder of Flight Group – a media, marketing, and investment company. He gained a significant following after becoming the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragons’ Den at the age of 28.

He has also developed the highly successful ‘The Diary of A CEO’ podcast, which looks to unpick the mindset of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs. His books, which follow a similar topic, have also become best-sellers.

This year’s BFA Conference will focus on ‘Innovation – Driving Business Success’, and Bartlett will use the theme to discuss how businesses can use digital advancements to build brand values across networks.

CEO Pip Wilkins said: “We are delighted to reveal the line up of our 2024 conference generously sponsored by Citation and Evolve, bringing together as it will, franchising professionals from across the UK.

“We are of course thrilled to have Steven as our headline speaker this year; his business acumen and success need no introduction and with this year’s them of ‘Innovation – Driving Business Success’, I know the franchise community will be eager to hear his thoughts and strategies on growing brand values via digital advancements across networks.”

Other speakers at the conference include Wilkins, and Paul Thompson, founder of Water Babies and BFA chair.

There will also be breakout sessions discussing topics such as digital innovation and customer-centric strategies.

The 2024 WorkBuzz Awards will similarly take place at the conference, while the 2024 BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards will take place in the evening.

Wilkins added: “The opportunity to network with fellow franchisors is often the highlight of the event for many; the new connections made, the opportunities to collaborate with each other gained and the support offered, should never be underestimated, and are at the heart of our great franchising sector.”

The 2024 BFA Conference will take place on 7th November 2024 at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire.

Tickets are £700+VAT and will be available for BFA members and non-members to book at: https://www.thebfa.org/product/conference-awards-2024/