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This October on the shores of Windermere, we bring together 250+ business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers to shape a regenerative future for Cumbria and beyond.
From green finance to regenerative innovation, from nature-based solutions to resilient ecosystems we’ll explore how businesses can move beyond sustainability and drive real change.
More than a business event, this is a movement: connecting people, place, and planet to unlock growth, sustainability, and impact.
One business making progress is good.
250 businesses moving in the same direction? That’s impact.
Cumbria is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of regenerative thinking not just because of its landscape, but because we’re building an environment of innovation, collaboration, and cross-sector growth.
This isn’t just an event.
It’s a platform a living ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs, business owners, young founders, and changemakers.
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Innovators
Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Founders designing purpose-driven future-fit business models.
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Changemakers
Future-focused leaders driving transformation across sectors.
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Community Builders
Social enterprises and networks regenerating economies from the ground up.
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Policy Makers
Leaders shaping frameworks for climate resilience and regenerative growth.
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Green Finance
Banks, investors and partners unlocking capital for SMEs and regenerative economies.
Matt Brereton
PR Consult, Member of both Westmorland and Furness Council and the Lake District National Park Authority.
Nick Lancaster
Experienced hospitality director and leading voice in regenerative tourism, with over 30 years shaping the Lake District’s hospitality landscape
Prof. Miranda Barker OBE DL
Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Chair of the RedCAT Group
Kate Brundrett
Regenerative Leadership Coach, empowering leaders through regenerative coaching and creative practice
Professor Phil Leigh
Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager at the University of Cumbria and founder of the Electech Innovation Cluster
Ian Steel
Creative entrepreneur, reviving heritage through sustainability, traceability, and regenerative business
Stuart Thompson
Investor, board advisor, and chair collaborates with founders, CEOs, and boards creating value and driving growth
Maria Benjamin
Farmer, Writer and rural entrepreneur, with a portfolio of ventures at her farm in Cumbria
Sue Barnard
Investment Manager, Instrumental in shaping the North West’s economic future, and the launch of the £404m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
Rory Southworth
Fhunded Angels - Connecting Founders to Funders, Investment Ecosystem Manager for Lancashire
Niahm Donovan
Ecosystem Manager at Sustainable Ventures connecting SMEs, to opportunities & support.
Kevin Beaty
Consultant helping landowners and developers across the North of England turn sustainability into actionable goals.
Dr Zoe Detko
Founder of Ardea Eco-Innovation, helping organisations reduce carbon impact and embrace low-carbon solutions.
Alan Reid MBE
Innovation Growth Specialist, supporting SMEs to grow and scale through innovation, funding, and new markets.
Mike Berners-Lee
Leader in business carbon and sustainability. Prof at Lancaster University, Speaker & Author
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Registration and Networking
Start the day with fresh connections, conversation, and coffee.
9:30 am - 9:45 am
Welcome: Why Regeneration Matters Now
Setting the tone for the day, this session explores why regeneration isn't a passing trend, it’s the foundation for resilient businesses, thriving communities and lasting impact.
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Keynote Session: Shaping a Future-Fit Economy
Author of There Is No Planet B and founder of Small World Consulting, Mike Berners-Lee opens Regenerate 2025 with a powerful call to action. In this keynote, he explores what it truly means to build a future-fit economy. A vision for how business leaders can navigate disruption and build an economy aligned with people, place and planet.
Mike Berners-Lee
10:30 am - 11:15 am
People, Place & Planet: From Sustainability to Regeneration
This session explores what regeneration means through the lens of land, leadership, and place, connecting environmental action with human and economic renewal. Nick Lancaster opens with a reflection on the shift from sustainability to regeneration. Kevin Beaty brings a natural capital and biodiversity perspective, drawing from decades in land management and ecological planning to show how the land we live on can power regeneration. Jan Foo explores regenerative leadership, how new models of thinking, being, and doing can create more connected, resilient, ecocentric organisations.
Kevin Beaty
Nick Lancaster
11:15 am - 11:45 am
Coffee & Conversations
Time to spark meaningful conversations and intentional connections.
11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Local Business, Global Impact: Stories of Regeneration in Action
At the heart of regeneration are the founders doing the work, building businesses that blend creativity, community, and sustainability. Ian Steel Atkinsons Coffee Roasters & Tea Merchants, reviving a heritage brand through traceability, responsible production, and purpose-led leadership. Kate Brundrett, The Cumbria Network, helping founders rediscover creativity and confidence through regenerative leadership. Maria Benjamin, Dodgson Wood, pioneers circular, ethical, and community-based enterprise in the rural economy.
Ian Steel
Kate Brundrett
Maria Benjamin
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Refuel, reset, and enjoy locally sourced food while connecting with others in this stunning lakeside setting.
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm
Innovation & Investment in the North where innovation meets capital
This session brings together leaders at the intersection of innovation, investment, and impact, exploring how ideas become scalable ventures that drive regional regeneration. Alan Reid, Innovate UK Business Growth, supports SMEs in turning innovation into investment-ready ventures. Stuart Thompson, Reorient Consulting, aligns strategy, leadership, and capital to unlock sustainable growth. Dr Phil Leigh, University of Cumbria / Electech Innovation Cluster, bridges research, energy systems, and business collaboration to power transformation across the North.
Alan Reid MBE
Professor Phil Leigh
Stuart Thompson
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Interactive Workshop: The Sustainability Edit
Sustainability is a journey built on small actions, steady progress, and conscious choices. Every business influences the world around it through the energy it uses, the materials it sources, and the relationships it nurtures. This session helps you reflect on how your business operates, connects, and plans for the future, with practical tools to embed sustainability into daily decisions.
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Afternoon Break
The home stretch, take a moment for fresh air, movement, and a reset before the final sessions.
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Break Out Session: Cross-Sector Collaboration
Regenerative thinking, walk and talk inquiry, Q&A, and panel discussion.
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Closing Reflections: A Call to Impact
A collective pause to capture our insights and step into the next chapter of your story.
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Regenerative Cocktails at our Woodland Pop Up Bar
Unwind, relax, and connect over a regenerative cocktail in our pop-up Woodland Bar. Enjoy locally crafted spirits from Zoe at Shed One Distillery, expertly mixed and blended by Tom at Kindred Spirit Cocktails.
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Breakfast & Networking
10:00 am - 10:25 am
Open Space Conversations
You choose your conversation, exploring the three core themes: People, Place and Planet
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Regenerative Finance
This session brings together three leaders redefining how finance can fuel a regenerative North, where investment, innovation, and purpose combine to drive long-term regional growth. Sue Barnard (British Business Bank), Rory Southworth (Fhunded Angels), and Niamh Donovan (Sustainable Ventures North) will explore how access to capital, green finance, and ecosystem collaboration can transform the way we fund and scale sustainable businesses.
Sue Barnard
Rory Southworth
Niahm Donovan
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Sponsor-Led Workshops
Interactive, practical sessions hosted by our partners Regenerative Tourism Working with Property & the Land Sustainability Net Click Zero AI for Regenerative Business Regenerative Innovation
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Access to cutting-edge thinking on regeneration, innovation and sustainable growth.
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Practical tools and frameworks to apply directly in your business.
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Exposure to cross-sector ideas that challenge and inspire.
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Meet leaders, investors and founders shaping the future of Cumbria.
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Curated networking sessions and roundtables to spark new partnerships.
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Direct engagement with sponsors, funding bodies and change-makers.
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Leave with clarity, strategies and confidence to lead beyond the event.
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Visibility and recognition as part of a pioneering community.
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Continued access to opportunities, partnerships and ecosystem support.
With the vision of our partners, we’re breaking down silos and uniting business, government and community. Together we’re shaping systems, driving collaboration and sparking innovation in sustainability and beyond.
The Founders Club Regenerate 2025: A New Way to Lead.
The Founders Club Regenerate 2025 is an exclusive event that will challenge you to innovative thinking and help you to develop the discipline, skills and strategy needed to make your mark as a standout leader in this fast-paced world. We hope you can join us in Cumbria.