Buckles Business Conference

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

We are delighted to invite you to the second Buckles Business Conference on Thursday 16th October 2025 at Cleaver & Wake, Nottingham.

This conference is tailored to professionals who advise family-owned businesses, as well as SME owners, directors, and shareholders from family-run enterprises. We will explore the current economic landscape and highlight key legal, financial, and governance issues that are especially relevant to family businesses navigating succession, growth, and resilience.

Whether you are part of a family business or supporting one, this event will provide valuable insights and practical guidance.

We look forward to welcoming you!

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?

9.30am - Arrival, registration and refreshments

9.50am - Welcome. Duncan Jackson, Buckles Law

10am - The Regional Economic Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities for Family Enterprises.

Paul Humphreys, The East Midlands Chambers of Commerce

10.25am - Inheritance Tax and Business Property Relief: What family firms need to know.

Duncan Jackson & Dervla Flynn, Buckles Law

10:50am - Funding the future: opportunities' in the East Midlands Economy.

Lewis Stringer, British Business Bank

11.15am - Comfort Break and refreshments

11.30am - Panel Discussion: Building resilient Family Businesses.

Facilitated by Laurence Howland, Buckles Law.

Panellists include Jane Cowley, Buckles Law; Paul Andrews, Family Business United; Paul Humphreys, The East Midlands Chambers of Commerce; and Lewis Stringer, British Business Bank

12.10pm - Case Study: Lessons from experience: A family business story.

Naomi Brown, S Brown Paving Ltd

12.35pm - Closing remarks

12:45pm - Lunch & networking

1.30pm - Close

YOUR SPEAKERS

FROM BUCKLES LAW

Duncan Jackson, CEO

Laurence Howland, Director Risk and Compliance

Jane Cowley, Partner - Family

Dervla Flynn, Senior Associate - Private Client

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Paul Humphreys, Head of Innovation Services - East Midlands Chambers of Commerce

Paul Humphreys leads the East Midlands Chamber Innovation Services team, delivering 121 bespoke support to businesses across innovation strategies. East Midlands Chamber’s partnership with Innovate UK ensures innovative businesses looking to grow and scale at pace have access to the tools, connections, and support to do so. Paul has worked in the business support ecosystem for 20 years and has been with East Midlands Chamber since 2017. Living and working in the East Midlands, Paul describes himself a true advocate for the region, and connector of businesses.

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Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager UK Network - East & South-East Midlands. British Business Bank

The British Business Bank is the UK’s economic development bank, driving sustainable growth and supporting the transition to net zero by improving smaller businesses’ access to finance. Working with over 200 Delivery Partners, it delivers debt and equity programmes nationwide.

Lewis Stringer joined in 2016 as MEIF Senior Relationship Manager, later contributing to the Bank’s Covid-19 response. Now a Senior Manager in the UK Network Team, he covers the East and South-East Midlands, supporting demand-side initiatives and the £400m MEIF II. With 25+ years in economic development, Lewis has held senior roles at emda, Capital for Enterprise, Nottingham City Council, and Lloyds Banking Group.

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Paul Andrews, Director - Family Business United

Paul Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Family Business United, an organisation that champions and celebrates the importance of family businesses and their contribution to the national economy and communities throughout the UK.

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Naomi Brown, Director - S Brown Paving Ltd

Naomi Brown is the Director of S Brown Paving Ltd, a second-generation family business delivering high-quality surfacing solutions, from domestic driveways to prestigious sites like Chatsworth House. Originally pursuing a legal career, Naomi stepped in to support the family business in 2015 while her parents faced serious health challenges. What began as a temporary role quickly became a passion, leading her to work across every area of the company before becoming Director in 2022.

A strong advocate for equality and diversity in construction, Naomi serves on the Nottingham Women in Construction committee and mentors as an Industry Fellow at Nottingham Trent University, as well as through STEM outreach programmes. Under her leadership, S Brown Paving won the Family Business Award for Construction and Property Excellence in 2023. Naomi has also been recognised individually as a finalist at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards 2023 and the Family Business Awards Young Director of the Year 2024.

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Cleaver and Wake is fully accessible, if you have any concerns about the venue accessibility please do contact us so we can accommodate your requirements.

Car parking is in the Virgin Active car park with a maximum stay of 4 hours. The closest paid parking is next door at Premier Inn (1 minute walk - pay via machine), Nottingham Train Station (5 minute walk - pay via machine), or Nottingham Broadmarsh Car Park (5 minute walk - pay via machine).