Delegates were treated to an insightful day of speakers and networking at the Do Business Better Conference 2026, presented by MWOTY founding director Ellie Kerr.
The conference, which saw a successful inaugural event in April 2025, promised to provide practical guidance with substance, value and purpose, to help anyone do life and business better. The conference focused on four essential pillars for success: Network, Information, Money and Self-belief.
The morning kicked off with a lively panel discussion on “Good AI, Better Business” between Debbie Edwards, Founder of Love Pioneer Media Ltd, Rosie Djurovic, Head of AI at Brabners and Stephanie Power, Journalist, Producer and Co-host of Married to the Machine Podcast, chaired by Gavin Sherratt from Goodship*. The panel explored the opportunities around AI, fears surrounding it and how to implement it in not just responsibly, but also with clear purpose.
The rest of the morning session focused on networking and practical support for businesses. Coach Denise Chilton shared her insights on building better networking relationships, and Geraldine Fuller from the Business and IP Centre (BIPC) and growth project managers, Howard Fleming from Liverpool City Council, shared what help was available for businesses at every stage in the city region.
Following a mid-morning break, the conference hosted a section focused on Money, curated by headline sponsors FPC. Managing Partner Moira O’Shaughnessy opened the session with a fireside chat on resilience, confidence and financial security with FPC client Georgie Lawrence. Described by Moira as the “epitome of resilience” they discussed Georgie’s experience of navigating life and finance after divorce, caring for a terminally ill partner, bereavement, becoming responsible for a host of businesses in sectors where she had no expertise, as well as supporting children with mental and physical health challenges.
The session continued with Laura Leslie, Partner at DSG Chartered Accountants, sharing practical financial and tax considerations for business owners and highlighting areas that are worth reviewing regularly, particularly in a changing economic and business environment. Carol Mason, Partner at event sponsor Morecrofts Solicitors, then delivered a session explaining why a professionally drafted Will is one of the most important documents a business owner can have, providing delegates with a clear understanding of the steps they needed to take to safeguard their business, support loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out.
Donna Scully from event sponsor Carpenters Group interviewed guest Iulia, an ambassador for The Girls Network, on mentorship and the topic of self-belief, its importance and how to develop it. Sharing her own experience as a young woman and her role now as a mentor, the conversation between the two highlighted the significant importance of the self-belief pillar and the steps business leaders can take to nurture it.
After lunch provided by the fantastic team at Blackburne House, delegates were brought back into the room and their bodies, with an energetic and joyful session delivered by Ithalia Johnson from Joyful Journeys. Supporting her ethos of “Move your body. Change your state. Let joy be your foundation” Ithalia had the whole room smiling, singing, dancing and ready to receive the afternoon’s speakers.
Elaine Bowker, Principal & Group Chief Executive at event sponsor City of Liverpool College, explored the ways that employers and education providers can work together to address skills gaps, develop a strong and diverse talent pipeline and ensure that training keeps pace with a rapidly changing economy, and appealed to businesses to work more closely with their local college.
Jack Dotchin from Liverpool-based SEO agency Flatdot Marketing returned to the topic of AI as he presented the Business AI Checklist, a ten-minute walkthrough of how business owners can audit their website’s AI visibility with a series of simple checks. Lauren Fox then shared her journey and experience in making sales simple through an authentic approach and intention not to build more but build better.
Speaking on the pillar of self-belief, David Wafer, director of McIver Scott Executive Recruitment, shared his personal story to illustrate how wherever you start shouldn’t determine where you should finish. Exploring how business leaders can find their purpose, David encouraged delegates to reflect on what your 10-year-old self still wants to dream and consider what your 70 year-old self hopes you will have done, so you can align today’s choices with the life you’ll be proud to look back on.
The final segment of the afternoon saw Liam Starkey, Founder of Not For Profit Consultancy (NFPC), speak on bridging the gap between businesses and grassroots organisations and how businesses can turn good intentions into meaningful social value through the right community partnerships. Sue Chambers, Senior Investment Manager at River Capital, interviewed Louise Kemp of Nineteen Agency about the challenges of starting and growing a business and how funding has helped them, and shared information on how SMEs can seek similar support and what they should consider.
Final speaker of the day, Miguel Doforo, founder of MD Productions, drew on his personal experience and work through his See You See Me project and explored the importance not just of being seen, but also seeing yourself, recognising your own value and refusing to allow circumstances, labels or setbacks to define what happens next, and to “Keep Steppin” his personal philosophy. Miguel explained how this is not about pretending everything is easy but finding your next step when it isn’t. He closed the session by encouraging delegates facing challenges to “Keep Steppin’” by making one small change, asking one small question or reaching out for help.
A fundraising raffle at the event also raised £600 for Alfie’s Squad’s Race for a Reason 2026, which launched on the same day as the conference.
Ellen Kerr said: “What a fantastic day of speakers, networking and knowledge sharing in our wonderful city. I am so grateful to everyone who contributed their time and expertise. The energy in the room was exceptional and from conversations after the event, it appears that all attendees went home with at least one action or take-away that will help them to do business better.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the fantastic businesses who made it possible for us to bring this event back for its second year, headline sponsor FPC and event sponsors Morecrofts Solicitors, the City of Liverpool College and Carpenters Group. We look forward to returning in 2027 with more insights, learning and collaboration on how to grow your business better.”
For 2027 sponsorship and speaking opportunities, contact ellie@mwoty.co.uk. To be first to find out about next year’s event, sign up to our mailing list here.
Photo by Ray Farley
Do Business Better Conference 2026 was headline sponsored by:
