Ashfords partners join influential panel line up at inaugural Business of South West Conference 2026

Ashfords is supporting the inaugural Business of South West Conference 2026 as a sponsor, with partners Chris Dyson and Kate Topp joining business leaders, investors, and policymakers to examine the opportunities shaping the region’s economic future.

Taking place on 24 February at Bristol’s M Shed, the first ever conference in the South West from The Business Desk will bring together businesses, universities, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across the region to explore the opportunities to build a resilient economy for the future.

Ashfords will contribute practical insight to two panel sessions:

• Chris Dyson, partner and head of Ashfords’ technology sector, will join the ‘Unlocking innovation and capital’ panel, focusing on how founders and growing businesses can access and structure funding to support successful scale up.
• Kate Topp, partner and housebuilding and development sector lead, will join the panel ‘Investing in place to deliver generational change’, which will examine how long term, place based investment can unlock housing delivery, regeneration and sustainable economic growth.

The conference programme will examine regional investment and policy priorities, emerging funding trends, major regeneration pipelines, and the sectors expected to drive growth. Panels will also explore large scale development, placemaking, innovation ecosystems and the role of capital in supporting long term regional opportunity. 

More than 20 speakers will take part, including Helen Godwin (Mayor of the West of England), Colin Skellett (Chief Executive of YTL UK Group), Simon Harding Roots (Managing Director of Muse), Dr Lucy Martin (Brunel Centre Director), and Katy Riddington (Chief Portfolio Officer at NCC), alongside senior representatives from investment funds, universities, and high growth businesses.

Commenting on Ashfords’ involvement, Jocelyn Ormond, corporate partner, and head of Ashfords’ Bristol office, said:

“This inaugural conference arrives at an important moment. With new regional leadership, major regeneration projects taking shape and world class innovation emerging across the South West, it will create a timely space to come together, share insight and focus on shaping what next for the region. 

“Through our work with scaling businesses, investors and developers, we as lawyers play an enabling role with the organisations that will deliver the region’s ambitions, and we aim to bring that experience to aid discussions on the day and beyond.”

Robert Buckland, South West editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, said

“The Business of South West Conference will bring together leaders and decision makers from across the region to “inspire and excite” about the future.

“This is about seizing opportunities and building on our strengths to drive a sustainable and successful economy together,” he added.

“We’re really pleased to be partnering with Ashfords to provide a platform where ambitious businesses can collaborate and share their vision for what’s next.”

For tickets and further details about the Business of South West Conference 2026, click here.