Dave Fishwick, the Burnley businessman who made policy-makers, industry regulators and multinational banks sit up and take notice, will be talking to us about entrepreneurial zeal.
Iain Wylie, our interim Chief Executive, said: “Dave has a fascinating story to tell. When the banking crisis hit, he was convinced he could do better. He asked himself how difficult would it be to offer savers decent interest and lend their money to local businesses at a slightly higher rate. Dave set out to do just that.
“What follows is a tale of David and Goliath, with experts telling him it was impossible, and potentially criminal to set up a retail bank, but they didn’t reckon on Dave’s determination and spirit. Dave’s bank, Burnley Savings and Loans, is now succeeding beyond all expectations, with all profits going to local charities.
“He will be talking passionately about entrepreneurial zeal and what made him take on a seemingly insurmountable challenge. With lessons for businesses big and small, he will also share his four rules of business in a talk entitled ‘never take no for an answer’.”
Dave came from humble beginnings, starting work on a building site, but his passion lay with cars and he persuaded a dealer to let him clean up and sell an old banger. He made a £27 profit, which was enough to start trading in his own right.
Spotting a gap in the market, he turned his attention to vans and buses. Since then he’s become the UK’s largest independent supplier and fitter of minibuses.
Dave’s down-to-earth humour and unwillingness to take no for an answer has been captured in Channel 4’s programme Bank of Dave.
Our 2014 conference promises to be bigger and better than ever with the headline sponsors Davidson Richards and Westland Horticulture already announced.
Our conference takes place at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel in Blackpool from January 26 until 29. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend.
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