Enterprise Week is an exciting showcase of workshops, webinars, events & talks all designed to help Luton’s aspiring & established entrepreneurs achieve their goals.
The first day of Enterprise Week will cover a panel of successful entrepreneurs discussing their experiences throughout their journeys, a networking lunch, a speed networking experience, and an introduction to self-employment workshop.
Day one schedule
Launch & Panel Q&A
Launch of Enterprise Week: 10am-12pm
Network Lunch
Networking Lunch: 12pm – 1pm
Speed Network
Speed Networking: 1pm-2pm
Empower Young People
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Launch of Enterprise Week
Location: Post Graduate Lounge Area (Ground Floor), University of Bedfordshire
This is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to hear first-hand from successful business owners who will offer valuable insights into their journey, and discuss navigating challenges, making strategic decisions, scaling a business and finding opportunities.
The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session where you’ll be given the opportunity to question the panel about their experiences, allowing you to better understand the realities of building a business and overcoming challenges to build on successes.
About the panellists
An experienced business leader and entrepreneur, Sally is the founder and CEO of the Ethos Farm Group of Companies including Ethos Farm Limited (UK) and Ethos Farm Americas Incorporated (USA), businesses that are widely recognised leaders in the field of global customer and employee experience (CX & EX) consultancy, learning, innovations and data.
Sally’s passion for this sector comes from over two decades of working with airports, airlines, retailers, travel-retailers, hospitality, and leisure organisations and it is this frontline and hands-on experience that drives the belief at the heart of Ethos Farm – your employees are your biggest asset, they are the ambassadors of your brand and should be at the front and centre of organisational culture and CX strategies.
With customer experience now being the main platform upon which organisations compete, Ethos Farm’s services have never been in more demand. The company was listed in The Sunday Times 100 in 2025 for a third consecutive year, ranking as the 12th Fastest Growing Private Company in the UK.
Ethos Farm is a Great Place to Work Top 100 organisation, Top 100 for Women, Top 100 for Wellbeing and was also recently listed as a Top 100 in the Hospitality, Retail and Leisure sector.
Sally was recently crowned the UK Customer Experience Leader of the Year at the UK CXAs and won the Sunday Times 100 Leadership Award 2023. Last year Sally was a finality in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2023 Sally won the UK everywoman 2023 Next Level Entrepreneur of the Year and since become an everywoman ambassador.
Wayne Cartmel is the Founder & CEO of MyNewTerm, a recruitment platform he launched in Luton. MyNewTerm supports over 5,000 schools and trusts nationwide, helping them digitise their recruitment process and connect directly with candidates.
Kieran Todd is Co-Founder and Creative Director of Volume Studios, a Luton-based creative agency started with the goal of keeping world-class creativity rooted locally. He works with start-ups and global brands to craft stories that feel culturally alive, while exploring how design and new technologies can open fresh opportunities for growth.
Daniel is the Founder and Managing Director of civil engineering and building contractor Ryebridge Limited and has worked in the construction industry for 25 years and the aviation sector for 15 years.
Ryebridge Construction is an award-winning civil engineering company focused on achieving the highest level of quality using sustainable working practices, ensuring clients receive the highest level of quality in their projects.
Founded in 2009, initially to service London Luton Airport, the company has expanded to enjoy significant success elsewhere in the UK and abroad – including the new Tottenham stadium, Gibraltar Airport, Bristol Airport and Southampton Port.
Daniel has a strong sense of family and community. He, his young family and his business are rooted in the area and he is committed to the wellbeing and prosperity of the region.
Justine Maroudias is the Owner and Director of Talk UK Telecom Ltd, a Bedfordshire-based telecommunications company providing business mobile, broadband, phone systems, and energy solutions. With over 30 years of experience in the telecoms industry, Justine has built a reputation for her straight-talking, people-first approach to business and her commitment to supporting local enterprises.
Alongside running Talk UK, she serves as a Board Director for the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and is a proud support of the Good Business Charter, championing responsible business practices, employee wellbeing, and community growth. She is also a regular sponsor and exhibitor at local business events including the ‘Your Business Expo’ and ‘Herts Big Buzz’, and hosts her own event annually.
Passionate about entrepreneurship and growth, Justine has navigated the highs and lows of scaling a business, from adapting from changing markets to building and motivating high-performing teams. She brings a wealth of experience in leadership, resilience, and creating long-term opportunities, and is driven by a mission to help other business owners thrive.
Steve Pittom is the Managing Director of Jaltek Systems Ltd, a UK-based electronics design and manufacturing solutions provider, Steve has led the company for over 25 years. With a background in electronics and operations management, Steve has played a pivotal role in transforming Jaltek into a highly respected and agile EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) partner serving sectors including aerospace, defence, medical, industrial, and automotive.
Under Steve’s leadership, Jaltek has evolved from a traditional electronics manufacturer into a full-service, vertically integrated provider, offering everything from PCB layout and prototyping to full system assembly and lifecycle support. He has championed strategic investment in digital transformation, most notably with the implementation of FactoryLogix MES, enhancing traceability, efficiency, and real-time operational visibility across production.
A key proponent of UK-based innovation and manufacturing resilience, Steve has overseen major expansions in Jaltek’s capabilities and facilities, including a significant increase in manufacturing footprint and workforce recruitment to meet rising customer demand. He has also guided the company through crucial partnerships and certifications including AS9100 and ISO 13485, aligning Jaltek with the evolving needs of highly regulated sectors.
Steve is known for his forward-thinking leadership, collaborative customer engagement, and a strong emphasis on quality, transparency, and continuous improvement. He remains a vocal advocate for the future of UK electronics manufacturing and for developing the next generation of engineering talent.
Networking Lunch
Location: Post Graduate Lounge Area (Ground Floor), University of Bedfordshire
Following our launch event where you will have heard from our keynote speaker Sally Allington from Ethos farm and panel members discussing their journey in establishing successful businesses, book a place at our networking lunch. This will be your chance to meet and connect with Luton entrepreneurs at a relaxed and friendly lunch.
Speed Networking
Location: Post Graduate Lounge Area (Ground Floor), University of Bedfordshire
An engaging and dynamic session providing businesses with an opportunity to make meaningful connections in a limited time. You will able to meet a range of business leaders from across Luton to exchange ideas and discover potential partnerships in a fast paced setting. During the event, participants will rotate in groups of 5 to 6 to allow focused exchanges.
About the speaker
Scott is Commercial Manager at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, where he brings hundreds of businesses together through a number of events each year. Passionate about building connections, promoting local enterprise, and support business growth, he works closely with organisations to help them thrive on a local, regional, and international scale.
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs (18-30)
Location: Post Graduate Lounge Area (Ground Floor), University of Bedfordshire
With Luton being a young town and ranked as the best UK city/town for starting a new business this event could help you to springboard your business idea. In this session you will learn how to formulate a business plan, how to write and present a pitch and then be at the launch of our new programme for 2026 where you will be able to pitch your idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurial judges and win the opportunity to be mentored by one of our panel and receive a start-up grant of £2,000.
You’ll also hear from the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation who will be talking about an exciting grant programme to support young entrepreneurs through their SWEF Enterprise Fund which offers grants of up to £2,000 to support young people aged between 18-30 to build their business.
About the speaker
As Head of Business Development, Dawn works closely with BLCF’s CEO and senior leadership team to lead the Foundation’s long-term income growth, partnerships, and strategic business initiatives. Dawn is responsible for securing funding for new programmes, expanding BLCF’s philanthropic reach, and enhancing their corporate social responsibility and social value work. Dawn’s role involves identifying and cultivating partnerships across sectors—including businesses, local authorities, other funders and not-for-profits—while overseeing the development and delivery of a portfolio of strategic partnerships. She plays a key role in shaping and delivering BLCF’s Strategic Plan, driving sustainable growth and amplifying the Foundation’s impact across the communities they serve.
