Building on the success of its launch event, the Evening Standard’s SME XPO on April 25-26 at ExCeL London, once again invites founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders to attend an action-filled two-day programme and exhibition connecting the scaleup community, a vital part of the UK economy. 
Irene Graham OBE, CEO from The ScaleUp Institute outlined the significance of this business category. She said: “Scaleups are vital for the UK’s current and future economic prosperity. As our most ambitious and innovative businesses, who contribute over 50% of the UK’s SME economic output, they have the power to generate economic growth and high-skilled jobs in every locality and sector, and we know that, even in these uncertain and challenging times, they want to push ahead on growth, innovation and internationalisation. An event such as SME XPO can play an important part in focusing on our scaling community and connecting them to the ecosystem that can support them to achieve their growth ambitions – which is why the ScaleUp Institute is delighted to be partnering with the Evening Standard on this new initiative.”
SME XPO has established itself as the UK’s leading event dedicated entirely to ambitious SME founders and decision-makers who are looking to scaleup. The event will appeal to a wide variety of industries from micro businesses to medium and large SMEs, welcoming 4000+ owners, showcasing over 60+ speakers.
As the world of business is faced with the aftermath of covid and Brexit, global inflation exacerbated by the Ukrainian war and raising interest rates, SME XPO will offer expert advice and support to the SME community as it continues to respond, evolve to manage these unique set of challenges.
William Fowler, SME XPO Event Director states: “SMEs are vitally important to the UK’s economy, and London is home to over one million of them. As the voice of modern London, the Evening Standard passionately believes in this innovative and resilient community and is proud to once again host SME XPO which will help them scale up and thrive at a time of uncertainty.” 
The event will deliver inspirational content from the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, helping businesses of all sizes to scale and grow. The event will present an incredible line up of speakers with the opening keynote address from Charlie Mullins OBE, Founder of the hugely successful Pimlico Plumbers, who will talk through his story with a brave “Ask me Anything’ Q&A session.
Further keynote speakers include:
- Levi Roots – Founder Reggae Reggae Sauce
- Deborah Meaden – Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den Star and Investor
- Wilfred Emmanuel Jones – Founder of The Black Farmer
- Krept and Sasha – Founders of Nala’s Baby
- Louise Hill – Founder of GoHenry
- Charlie Mullins – Founder of Pimlico Plumbers
Over the two day event hot topics such as international trading, the opportunities and pitfalls of social media and how to create progressive cultures of wellbeing, diversity and inclusion will also be debated.
The event is endorsed by Trinny Woodall the British beauty entrepreneur, businesswoman, fashion and makeover expert, television presenter and author, who says: “The easiest, most enjoyable bit of starting a business is creating a physical thing – but for sales and scaling up, you need to reach out to anyone you can for strategic help – that’s why events like SME XPO are so brilliant! You can get inspiration by listening to how other people have done it and learn how you can be the noisy one to cut through the rest of the market.”
2023’s event will showcase best-in-class suppliers who will deliver solutions designed to help thriving businesses succeed. Leaders and professionals will have access to hours of free peer-to-peer learning on investment, scaling-up, and sustainability, as well as workshops-offering practical, actionable advice from industry experts.
Organised by the Evening Standard and in partnership with The ScaleUp Institute & Dell Technologies. For more information and to register for free, head to the SME XPO website.
