Beyond the Horizon – Insights from the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Business Breakfast
This event was opened and co-led by Richard Lowe, IoD South West Scaleup Ambassador, who welcomed guests and set the scene for two dynamic panel discussions.
Written by Carrie Stephenson, IoD South West Policy & Governance Ambassador, event comms lead. This event recap captures the energy, insight, and ambition shared at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Business Breakfast, hosted in collaboration with the Institute of Directors (IoD) South West.
The morning started early (very early) with a 3am alarm and a 6am sunrise over Ashton Court. By 7am, the balloons were lifting off into the morning sky, a perfect metaphor for our theme:
“Beyond the Horizon: celebrating the South West and embracing global opportunity.”
We brought together civic and business leaders from across the region. From the first conversations over coffee and croissants to the inspiring panel discussions, the focus was on ambition, collaboration, and positioning the South West for national and international success.
Panel One: Celebrating the South West – A Hub for Growth
The opening discussion explored why the South West is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions outside London – and how it can continue to lead in innovation and sustainability.
Key insights:
- Partnerships are the foundation – success is built together, across sectors and regions.
- Invest in people – “Invest in leadership, train and develop your talent” – Martin Thatcher.
- Be less humble – “Be less British. People come for quality of life and tend to stay.” – Neil Johnston.
- Don’t fear failure – “You’ve got to fall over a few times to succeed” – Ben Hardy.
- Support young talent – through apprenticeships and universities, build confidence and opportunity.
The panel encouraged leaders to set the right tone from the top, keep leadership visible, and create a culture that’s both ambitious and fun.
Panel Two: Going Global – Beyond the Horizon
The second discussion tackled how South West businesses can seize international opportunities, with a strong focus on exports.
Key takeaways:
- Export to survive and thrive – diversifying into global markets builds resilience.
- Confidence is key – “Every business in the South West can export, but they need ambition and belief” – Richard Lowe.
- Start small, scale smartly – “Export is not a leap, it’s a series of small steps” – Dr. Yildiz Tugba Kara.
- Leverage partnerships and trade missions to Asia Pacific, collaboration opens doors. Richard shared his own experience as an exporter through Hewlett Rand, exporting to Hong Kong and China, alongside leading the UK Tech Mission to Hong Kong & Shenzhen 3rd – 7th November 2025 – an initiative opening doors for UK tech founders seeking scaleup investment, export customers and partnerships. Discover more here.
- Think ahead – build to scale internationally, put in place an international trade strategy and stick to it!
- Get the right advice – surround yourself with strong networks, good lawyers, and experienced trade advisors.
The call was clear: position the South West as a united, outward-looking region on the global stage.
A region with untapped potential
The statistics were a wake-up call. While the South West is brimming with innovation – from aerospace to creative industries, food & drink, tourism, tech, and renewable energy – only 7.5% of our businesses export. That’s far below London’s 17.5% and the national 11.5%.
Hearing that number in the room, surrounded by some of the region’s most ambitious leaders, was both surprising and motivating. It made me think about the conversations I’d just had over coffee – about how much talent, creativity, and determination we have right here, and how much more we could achieve if we took that next step onto the global stage.
Yes, there are challenges: economic uncertainty, the realities of supply chains, and a cautious approach to risk. But there is also enormous potential. The fast-growing Asia Pacific region alone is bursting with opportunities for South West businesses that are ready to explore new markets, build partnerships, and showcase what we can do.
If we can increase our confidence, connect more as a region, and see exporting not as a leap but as a series of achievable steps, we can create a ripple effect – more jobs, more skills, and more resilience for the South West.
Together, we can create the conditions where ambition thrives. We can inspire more founders to look beyond the horizon, connect globally, and make the South West a recognised hub for innovation and trade.
Get involved
The IoD South West is more than a network, it’s a place to gain strategic knowledge, build lasting relationships, and open doors to new opportunities.
- Special Interest Groups – Join sector-focused special interest groups (SIGs) within the IoD to connect with peers, share insights, and incubate valuable business relationships.
- Trade Missions – Take part in initiatives like the UK Tech Mission to China led by Richard Lowe, designed for businesses seeking foreign investment or supply chain partners. These experiences not only open international doors but also build the credibility and capability needed to scale globally.
- IoD SW Event – Bristol Wednesday @ 6 Networking – open to members and non-members and takes place on Wednesday 1 October at RSM offices, Temple Quay, Bristol.
Become a member
If you joined us at the Business Breakfast or Fiesta, take advantage of our special offer: enjoy 12 months’ membership for the price of 10. Contact Heather Emmett [email protected] or speak to any IoD South West Ambassador.
Follow IoD South West on LinkedIn for the latest events, insights, and opportunities to get involved.
