Seminar “Investing in Success: Why the East Midlands is on the Up” at the East Midlands Expo 2025
The East Midlands Expo is proud to announce the seminar line-up for our 26th Annual Exhibition & Networking Event, taking place at the East Midlands
Conference Centre, Nottingham, on Monday 10th November 2025.
This year’s theme — “Investing in Success: Why the East Midlands is on the Up” – will inspire and energise delegates as we highlight the region’s
growth, opportunities, and future potential.
We’re delighted to welcome an outstanding panel of speakers, each offering a unique perspective on why the East Midlands continues to thrive as a hub
for business, innovation, and investment:
Tash Pennant, Founder of Tash Pennant Consultancy – our host for the session, known for her engaging style and passion for empowering businesses
and communities.
Tash is an effervescent multi-award-winning events host and speaker. Having worked at the BBC in TV and radio, she’s honed her craft so well that people know, she not only brings the expertise but the energy to the room. Her infectious vibrancy ensures that all delegates at events Tash has the pleasure of hosting, leave feeling uplifted and inspired.
As the principal consultant within Tash Pennant Consultancy, Tash is also a trusted advisor, speaker and connector, ensuring people are strategically connected to information and opportunities for transformational success. Having advised government leaders and C-Suite Exec and business leaders her work spans sectors and across international borders. She speaks on stages in the UK and across the globe on leadership, networking and difference.
Her commitment to transformation extends beyond business into charitable endeavours. She founded +1Campaign, a food distribution initiative for people without a permanent place to reside. Tash has also served as a Non-Executive Director for one of the UK’s largest housing organisations, in her tenure the organisation had 28,000 properties under management. She currently supports future leaders who find it challenging engaging with routine access to education or opportunities and serves an Ambassador for The Young Leaders Club.
To find out more about Tash and Tash Pennant Consultancy Go to: www.tashpennant.co.uk Connect with Tash on LinkedIn: @TashPennant Follow Tash on Instagram: @TashPennant
John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby – bringing invaluable insight into inward investment and place marketing that has put Derby, and the wider East Midlands, firmly on the map for ambitious investors.
John is Managing Director of Marketing Derby Ltd, the Inward Investment Promotion Agency for Derby and Derbyshire which has attracted over 5,000 jobs and £500m of investment into the area.
Marketing Derby has been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation following a series of awards including, UK International Trade ‘Team of the Year’ and the Financial Times IPA Innovations Awards Global Winner for Investment Events.
John’s innovations include Business Bondholders, Embassy events in London, Cannes and China and the Derby City Lab which won the Estate Gazette Best Public-Private-Partnership in the UK award.
John is a member of the Derby City Partnership Board, the Court of the University of Derby and Chaired the Midlands Engine China Trade & Investment Group.
Previously, John owned a company that developed regeneration strategies in UK cities and was director of a Chamber of Commerce, having also worked in the voluntary and community sector.
John has a BA (Hons) in Politics and Government from the City of London Polytechnic and is a graduate of the UK Leadership Forum at Oxford University and the Columbia University Business School Executive FMBA in New York City.
John’s passion is regeneration and the development of cities and has led Urban City Tours of Baltimore and Barcelona and been Project Leader on a World Bank programme in post-war Mostar, Bosnia.
In 2015, John was awarded Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors for the East Midlands region and in 2017 Business Insider Magazine gave John a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2019, John was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Derby and in 2021 was awarded an MBE in the Honour’s List. In 2022 John was made a Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire.
John originates from Normanton in Derby, has lived in London, Geneva and Groningen, enjoys city break travel and holds a season ticket for Derby County. www.marketingderby.co.uk
PRESENTATION – John Forkin – Marketing Derby – East Midlands Expo 2025
Damien Dacey, East Midlands Combined Authority – sharing an inside look at transformational strategies, infrastructure projects, and regional collaborations that are driving prosperity across our cities and counties.
Damien is the Executive Director of Strategy and Inclusive Growth, leading on skills, employment, business growth, innovation, and strategic investment. He plays a central role in shaping the region’s strategic direction and delivering the benefits of devolution. His work is key to ensuring that new powers and increased investment translate into real, long-term improvements for the people and places of the East Midlands. Driving EMCCA’s work to boost business growth, innovation, and opportunity – Damien brings together partners to create jobs, attract investment, and support a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region. He also leads efforts to address inequality and close skills gaps by investing in education, training, and employment initiatives that help residents access and progress in quality jobs. Through his leadership, the authority is laying strong foundations for long-term, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, where opportunity is available to all across the region.
Bringing a wealth of experience from the UK Civil Service, Damien spent over a decade in various policy development and programme delivery roles. Most notably, he contributed to the cross-government initiative to broaden and strengthen devolution across the country, including in the East Midlands. His deep understanding of devolution policy and regional economic growth is invaluable as EMCCA continues to develop and implement its ambitious strategy for the region.
Together, they will explore the East Midlands’ growing reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting regions to live, work, and invest. From major regeneration projects to world-class connectivity, from the strength of our diverse business base to the collaborative spirit that sets this region apart, delegates will gain valuable insights into why the future here is brighter than ever.
Whether you’re a business leader, investor, or professional looking to expand your network, this seminar promises to be a highlight of the Expo and an opportunity to hear first-hand how the East Midlands is building momentum and why now is the time to be part of its success story. www.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk