Author: Amy Blundell
September is lining up to be a very busy month – check out our latest round-up of events you may be interested in.
An Introduction to the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) with the Business Academy
📆 3 September
⏰ 2pm – 3pm
📍Online
Hot Takes in Tech with Preston Tech Connection
📆 9 September
⏰ 6pm – 7.30pm
📍Society1
🔗 https://www.skiddle.com/e/42490270
Cyber Attack Hydra Simulation
📆 11 September // 21 September
⏰ 12pm – 4pm // 10am – 2pm
📍 University of Lancashire
Access to Alternative Funding Breakfast with River Capital
📆 22 September
⏰ 8am – 10am
📍 Cotton Court
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/access-to-alternative-funding-with-river-capital-tickets-1994947140600
Lancashire Tech Talk: The AI Stack – The Reality with Lancashire Digital hub
📆 23 September
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
📍 Strawberry Fields Digital Hub
Preston Partnership Presents: What makes a thriving city?
📆 24 September
⏰ 9am – 10am
📍 Cotton Court
Freelancer Meet-up & CoWorking Day
📆 24 September
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Society1
🔗 https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Preston/Society1/Preston-Freelancer-Meet-Up-September/42680089/
Preston Tech Connection CoWorking Day
📆 29 September
⏰ 9am – 5pm
📍Society1
🔗 https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Preston/Society1/Preston-Tech-Connection-Coworking-Day/42680086/
Carbon Literacy Training with The Green Accountants
📆 30 September & 1 October
⏰ 2 half day sessions
📍Cotton Court
🔗 https://lnkd.in/ewV7EcRq
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What makes a city centre thrive? The future of high streets is a hot topic, but what does it look like when applied to Preston?
Join us at Preston Partnership’s next #IntheCity quarterly event for a presentation an update from Preston Business Improvement District (BID) and a panel discussion where our panel will be discussing the essential ingredients for the future of a successful Preston City Centre.
The details:
- Thursday 24 September
- 8am – 10am
- Cotton Court Business Centre
You’re also invited to an exclusive drop-in consultation with Preston BID, taking place after the main session.
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Join us at our upcoming event – The Social Value Workshop
Hosted by Stepnell and Preston Partnership, this will be a practical and interactive workshop, exploring key themes in social value, including common barriers and recent wins.
This session will be particularly relevant to businesses involved in projects or services linked to the built environment.
Details:
📆 Tuesday 14 July
🕛 9.00am – 11.30am
📍 OneCoWork (Winckley Square)
There are limited spaces available, please book your (free) ticket now.
Light refreshments will be available. There will also be plenty of opportunity to network with the other attendees.
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Our second #InTheCity event of 2026, Preston: Future Talent, took place in the recently (but not fully) opened Vault, Preston Youth Zone, bringing business owners, city leaders and those earlier in their careers together in an inspiring (and well-air conditioned) space.
This event was sponsored by IN4 Group by way of a donation to our hosts, Vault.
Vault Youth Zone
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see inside the £12m purpose-built youth facility, which is part of the On-Side network, you may be surprised just how much they are able to offer young people.
Tim Jacques, CEO of Vault, explained to our members that the youth zone has been partially open since late March (waiting on final road works to be completed before fully operational), and already has more than £2k members accessing facilities such as:
- Boxing suit (where we were hosted)
- Kick Pitch
- Makers Zone
- Music / DJ suite
- Climbing wall
- Sports Hall
- Health & wellbeing room
- Training Kitchen
Tim explained that the running costs are around £1.5m per year, an amount that is not covered by the £5 membership and 50p session fees. You can find out more about Vault and becoming a Founder Patron on their website.
AI Super Curriculum
Mo Isap OBE, guest speaker and CEO of IN4 Group, inspired the room with his insight into education outcomes, lifetime earning potential and real-life inequalities that are present in our communities and emphasized the importance of the business community in working with organisations such as the Youth Zone.
Mo introduced IN4’s AI Native Youth pilot programme, designed to disrupt the education system for young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) with AI apprenticeships. This government-backed programme focuses on AI literacy, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving, based on a recruit-train-employ model, with a Level 3 Digital Champion AI apprenticeship.
What makes this model different is that IN4 take on all compliance and risk concerns from employers, removing barriers so that the young people can make an impact from day one.
This builds on IN4’s established MEGA HUbs, currently rolling out across every secondary school in Lancashire.
You can find out more about the AI Native Youth Pilot on IN4’s website.
Building Preston’s Future: panel discussion
Mo joined panel host, Gaby Ingham, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Vault, and fellow panelists:
- Helen Wright, Training Manager, Westinghouse
- Martin Blunt, Head of Enterprise and Engagement Unit for the University of Lancashire
They discussed important themes such as:
- Developing & retaining future talent in the city
- Social capital and advocacy
- Preston’s economic case for change
- Future leadership
- Partnerships between business and youth organisations
Upcoming events
- 14 July Social Value Workshop with Stepnell
- Join Preston Partnership and Stepnell for this exclusive workshop exploring social value, including common barriers and recent wins.
- 29 July Preston Partnership CoWorking Day at Society1
- 29 July A new chapter for Avenham, guided netwalk.
Save the dates for our future quarterly events in 2026:
- 24 September
- 26 November
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Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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Join us for our annual summer netwalking event – an informal opportunity to network, learn more about Preston and get some fresh air. If you want to make the most of the day, why not sign up for our Preston Partnership co-working day, at Society1?
This year, our walk (led by Preston Partnership Director, Alban Cassidy) will focus on two major developments in Avenham: the newly transformed Tram Bridge and the Park Hotel, where we will hear an exclusive update from the Heaton Group.
The details:
- 29 July
- 4pm – 5pm
- Meet at Society1.
Limited spaces, so book your netwalking ticket now
*The tour will end at The Continental, feel free to stay and chat afterwards!
About Preston Partnership’s co-working day:
We are pleased to offer Preston Partnership members a discounted day pass of £18, to cowork at Society1 on 14 July. This includes a hot desk, plus tea & coffee throughout the day.
It will provide you with the opportunity to get the most from your day before joining the netwalk and meet some fellow Preston Partnership and Society1 members.
Society1 is a friendly and welcoming space in the centre of Preston, close to the train station and Avenham carpark. Just a short walk from the high street, it offers a perfect base for a day in the city.
Come and work from our creative and vibrant space. Find some inspiration and meet a few new faces along the way. This is a perfect opportunity to take a break from your usual routine and work in a different surrounding.
Book on for the Preston Partnership co-working day now
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member
Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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Join us for our summer quarterly panel event, Preston: Future Talent, sponsored by IN4 Group.
Given the focus of our event, this time we are asking our guests – business owners and senior leaders – to bring along someone from your team who is at an earlier stage in their career!
Our guest speaker, Mo Isap, will set the scene before joining our panel discussion – Building Preston’s Future – hosted by Gaby Ingham, Head of Fundraising and Communications Vault, Preston Youth Zone.
Our panel will include:
- Mo Isap OBE , CEO of IN4 Group
- Helen Wright, Training Manager, Westinghouse
- Martin Blunt, Head of Enterprise and Engagement Unit for the University of Lancashire
They will cover important themes such as:
- Developing & retaining future talent in the city
- The role we can all play in creating aspiration and opportunity
- Future leadership
- Connecting with young people and communities
- Partnerships between business and youth organisations
While you’re there, you’ll have the opportunity to network over hot drinks and breakfast foods with a room full of professionals, including business and public sector leaders.
As always, this event will be a great chance to keep up to date with what is happening in Preston.
There will also be an opportunity for a guided tour of Vault.
Space is limited so book your free ticket now.
About our sponsor…
About IN4 Group:
IN4 Group is a leading international professional technology training and skills provider, with operations across the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Delivered through a proven regional blueprint, the Group unlocks the potential of local talent to drive sustainable productivity and prosperity for industry, communities, and the local Economy.
IN4’s AI and Data technology training offers a practical workforce development solution that enables employers to build capability and improve productivity and performance.
Its mission is to ensure fair access to technology futures, underpinned by its DNA: to humanise technology, create a connection to place, and maintain a culture of Belonging.
The Group comprises award-winning specialist training divisions with a portfolio of bespoke programmes, professional qualifications, and apprenticeships. It holds approved training provider status with Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google, is ISO 9001 accredited, and is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
To date, IN4 has worked with over 500 employers, engaged more than 2,000 schools and colleges, and upskilled over 6,000 people into tech jobs – 59% of whom are women and 37% from underrepresented groups. In the past three years alone, the Group has generated over £44m in social impact, including £25.3m in 2024 – a return of £3.88 for every £1 invested. This pedigree has enabled the Group to hold prestigious preferred provider status with regional and national governments.
Meet the panel:
Gaby Ingham is Head of Fundraising and Communications at Vault Youth Zone. She works with local businesses, partners and funders to secure investment and support that helps deliver high quality youth work for young people across Preston.
With a background in relationship management, business development and community engagement, Gaby focuses on building strong partnerships that directly contribute to expanding opportunities for young people. She plays a key role in growing awareness and support for Vault’s work, helping to ensure it continues to be a welcoming, accessible space where young people can develop skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Mo Isap OBE is the CEO of IN4 Group, headquartered at MediaCity, Salford. He is also founding director of Star Academies, trustee and board director of the Careers Enterprise Company, and Chair of the Lancashire Business Board.
With a 30-year career as a tech entrepreneur, Mo has launched and scaled several successful start-ups. In 1996, he scaled his first business, MPG, to become one of the UK’s largest independent document management companies, listed in the Financial Times 100 fastest-growing UK companies.
Latterly, Mo was Group Director at Hobs Plc. In four years, Hobs established itself as the UK’s leading prop-tech businesses, providing 3D technology solutions to the architectural, engineering and construction sector.
Mo was awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours list 2026 for services to education and skills. He was also awarded Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors in 2024. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Martin Blunt serves as the Head of the Enterprise and Engagement Unit at the University of Lancashire, where he leads a multidisciplinary team. Since graduating, Martin has dedicated his career to the learning, education and development sector. He has worked to improve teaching quality, ensure compliance, support businesses, and develop skills, helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Martin builds networks and opportunities for businesses across the Northwest and nationally, offering tailored solutions for enterprises of all sizes.
He oversees a comprehensive range of services, including Degree Apprenticeships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Continuous Professional Development, Facilities, event space and Equipment, research, consultancy, and business incentives. Martin’s work drives knowledge exchange and supports businesses in accessing grants, ensuring impactful collaborations and sustainable growth.
Make sure you save the date for our upcoming events:
- 24 September
- 26 November
About Preston Partnership
Preston Partnership is a private sector led membership organisation. We bring together businesses and the public sector to help make Preston a prosperous city to live, work, visit and invest in.
Find out more and become a member: www.prestonpartnership.org
About Vault, Preston Youth Zone
We are Vault Youth Zone. We deliver life changing youth work and create opportunities for young people across Preston.
Vault is a world class space where young people from all backgrounds come together to explore their talents, build new skills and thrive. It belongs to them, designed around their needs, with support from passionate youth workers who are there every step of the way.
It is more than a building. It is a safe, welcoming environment where young people feel supported, valued and able to be themselves.
Through everything from workouts and kickabouts to mock interviews and hanging out with friends, young people build confidence, resilience and practical skills for life. They learn how to tackle challenges, solve problems and aim higher for their future.
Along the way they form positive relationships, grow in self belief and develop a real sense of belonging. These journeys take time, and we are here for all of it, supporting young people for the long term.
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Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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There are plenty of events taking place in and around Preston in June and July!
June
Building a High-Performance Culture with Centre for SME & Enterprise Development
📆 3 June
⏰ 9.30 – 11.30 am
📍 University of Lancashire
Innovation Unlocked: Your next 3 moves with Innovate Lancashire and Innovate UK
📆 3 June
⏰ 9.30am – 12pm
📍 AMRC North West
🔗 https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Blackburn/AMRC-North-West/Innovation-Unlocked-Your-Next-Three-Moves/42432596/
Lancashire Digital Talk: Dev Talking
📆 4 June
⏰ 11.30am – 12.45pm
📍 Online
Opening Doors And Opportunity For Tech In Preston
📆9 June
⏰ 6pm – 7.30pm
📍Society1
LIFT26 (Lancashire Innovation Funding & Tech) Festival
📆11 June
📍Burnley Football Club
July
How Hackers Target SMES – and How to Protect Your Business Build – Grow – Connect, part of the SME Growth Spring Series
📆 2 July
⏰ 9.30am
📍University of Lancashire
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-hackers-target-smes-and-how-to-protect-your-business-tickets-1985273554644?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
The RedCAT Network – North England’s most productive Climate Tech network
📆 7 July
⏰ 10.30 – 2pm
📍Altitude
🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/redcat/2028876
Social Value Workshop, hosted by Stepnell and Preston Partnership
📆 14 July
⏰ 9am – 11.30am
Fhunded Founder x Funder event
📆 14 July
⏰ 2.30pm – 5.30pm
📍 OneCoWork
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fhunded-founder-x-funder-event-with-jenson-ventures-july-tickets-1969340799344?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse
Hot Takes in Tech with Preston Tech Connection
📆 15 July
⏰ 6pm – 7.30pm
📍Society1
🔗https://www.skiddle.com/e/42490270
Preston Tech Connection CoWorking Day
📆 23 July
⏰ 9 am
📍Society1
Preston Partnership presents: A new chapter for Avenham, guided netwalk.
📆 29 July
⏰ 4 pm
📍Meet at Society1
Preston Partnership CoWorking Day
📆 29 July
⏰ 9am – 4 pm
📍Society1
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member
Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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There are plenty of events coming up hosted at venues across Preston. We’ve made a list so that you don’t miss a thing.
May
Society1 Open Day for European CoWorking Day
📆 6 May
📍Society1
🔗 Book your ticket now on Skiddle
SEO Growth Webinar with North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
📆 6 May
📍Online
🔗 Tickets available now on their website (costs may apply)
AI Content Creator – half day practical workshop for marketing, communications, social media and content professionals (fully funded)
📆 14 May
⏰ 1pm – 4pm
📍 Blackburn Youth Zone
🔗 contact Tamima Mulla-Shah
Business Breakfast Networking Event with Centre for SME & Enterprise Development
📆 20 May
⏰ 8.00-10.30am
📍University of Lancashire
🔗 Book your free ticket now on Eventbrite
Culture, Community & Commerce in the City
📆 20 May
⏰ 6pm – 8.30pm
📍Society1
Preston Freelancer Meet-up May
📆 21 May
⏰ 10.00am – 12.00pm
📍 Society1
🔗 Book your tickets now on Skiddle (costs may apply)
June
Building a High-Performance Culture with Centre for SME & Enterprise Development
📆 3 May
⏰ 9.30 – 11.30 am
📍University of Lancashire
Opening Doors And Opportunity For Tech In Preston
📆 9 June
⏰ 6pm – 7.30pm
📍Society1
🔗 Book your ticket on Skiddle now
LIFT26 (Lancashire Innovation Funding & Tech) Festival
📆 11 June
📍Burnley Football Club
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This week, we co-hosted an interactive workshop with Stepnell to help attendees consider the challenges of sustainability standards, as well as engage with peers from across the industry.
With an early rallying cry that “net zero is impossible in isolation,” the session was a collaborative “listening exercise,” designed to understand the regional supply chain’s current position and identify the support they need to thrive. Led by Jennie Pollard (Strategic Sustainability Manager, Stepnell) and Dan August (Group Buyer, Stepnell), the morning was facilitated by Tan Knowles (North West Regional Business Development Manager, Stepnell) and Preston Partnership to a range of local and regional businesses.
The event acted as a networking catalyst, fostering new relationships between local architects, consultants, and suppliers who identified opportunities for mutually beneficial working partnerships.
The advantage of the group approach to activities such as the ESG Maturity Assessment, was the resulting collaborative feeling in the room. The room came alive with conversation as participants used a RAG framework to score their businesses against six key focus areas, an activity which will help Stepnell identify blockers like technical data gaps and client specification constraints.
One attendee commented that the information being shared “makes you think about what you can do in your own company, and what you can achieve working with others.” The strategic role of design partners was a key takeaway from the session. Even when restricted by client budgets, architects and consultants are the primary stewards of a building’s sustainability legacy.
Businesses at the event also benefited from direct access to the Stepnell Procurement and Sustainability teams, and the opportunity to influence their 2027 supply chain strategy.
The insights gathered will be used by Stepnell to build a mentorship and upskilling hub—providing the templates and workshops the local supply chain actually needs to remain competitive.
Tan Knowles said,
‘Participant feedback clearly shows that open discussion and collaboration genuinely allow people to work more closely and effectively together. By creating space for honest conversations, we strengthen relationships and drive more meaningful outcomes across our projects.
As a business relatively new to the region, this was a particularly positive experience for us. It’s been a great way to get to know local businesses purposefully and supportively, helping us build strong foundations for future partnership working. We’re committed to continuing this approach: working with Preston Partnership and our supply chain partners to deliver sustainable outcomes and long-term value for the communities we serve.’
Are you interested in collaborating on a special interest event with Preston Partnership? Get in touch to discuss how we may work together.
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Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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Our first #InTheCity event of 2026 brought Preston Partnership members and guests together at OneCoWork. We welcomed over 80 business and civic leaders, entrepreneurs and their teams to explore Preston’s residential sector.
Preston Partnership Update
Chair of Preston Partnership John Chesworth provided an update on activity, including Preston’s response to the consultation on Local Government Reorganisation; the Partnership’s new free membership; and sponsorship of the first Proud Preston Awards.
Housing Delivery in Preston
Director of Development and Housing for Preston City Council, Chris Hayward opened his presentation with a quote from housebuilding lobby group Britain Remade:
Relative to its housing targets, Preston built more housing than anywhere else in England from 2021 to 2024. Since local housing targets were introduced in 2018, Preston has exceeded its target by a substantial margin every year.
Chris’ point? That there are lessons that other cities can learn from Preston.
Chris explored in more detail the reasons for this growth, particularly the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal which provided essential infrastructure to support the scale of housing growth in North-West Preston as well as the role of the Central Lancashire Local Plan, and cultural change in the Council and on the Planning Committee.
Chris went on to talk about Making Homes from Houses Project working with Gateway Housing Association to bring empty homes back to life.
Chris highlighted the work of Preston’s City Living Strategy in promoting residential opportunities in the City Centre.
Panel Discussion
Following his presentation, Chris joined our panel to broaden out the discussion on residential activity in the city.
- John Heaton, Managing Director for the Heaton Group – a specialist property company with a portfolio and pipeline of residential and commercial developments throughout the North West. John talked about their pioneering residential developers in Preston City Centre, including the exciting plans for the Park Hotel.
- Stuart Sage, Founder and Director of Hive Land and Planning, an award-winning planning and surveying practice. Stuart talked about the work they are doing with Preston City Council, Homes England and developers to deliver the City Centre Living Strategy (put link here)
- Claire Lowe, Head of Space and Property Management at University of Lancashire, which has over 30,000 students and academics at it’s Preston Campus. Claire talked about the importance of culture and events to attract and retain students and staff.
- Stephen Heverin, Growth and Regeneration Director for Onward Homes, one of the largest registered providers of social housing in the North West Stephen talked about the renewal of their estate in and around Stoneygate, a key regeneration priority for the City.
Closing Remarks
Following audience questions the panel were asked
what is the one change you would make tomorrow to turn Preston in to the North’s most desirable postcode?
Answers included: making sure that the City has a multi-purpose venue for cultural and business events; strengthening collaboration between the public and private sector; targeted funding to help deliver priority housing sites; new office space to attract well paid job opportunities; and focussed support from government agencies including Homes England.
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Join a powerful community of over 200 members that is helping Preston realise its ambition.
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