• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday October 12 2026

Trowbridge Expo hailed a success as Wiltshire firms pitch to former BBC Dragon

Hundreds of business leaders, entrepreneurs and public-sector figures from across Wiltshire gathered in Trowbridge for the inaugural West Wiltshire Business Expo – an event organisers say has been hailed a “roaring success”.

Held at The Civic on Thursday, October 8, the flagship expo was organised by The Trowbridge Chamber in association with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

It showcased businesses from across the county in The Civic’s Exhibition Hall and featured panel discussions on artificial intelligence, sustainability, cyber security, marketing, workplace health, finance, skills and technology adoption.

A highlight was the Dragons’ Den-style pitching session, led by former BBC Dragon and Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins. He was joined by Furniturebox co-founder Monty George and Joanna Jenson, angel investor and founder of Child’s Farm.

Four entrepreneurs pitched to the live audience: Jennifer Pearson, founder of Halliesphere, which has created a hand-crafted ceramic device designed to help people arrange flowers; Steve Canning, founder of The Wee Baffy Club, developing what is billed as Wiltshire’s largest dedicated indoor golf simulator venue; Michael Kerstein, founder of Easy Phones, which makes large-button mobile phones; and Amanda Johnson, a Wiltshire NHS paramedic and founder of Blossom and Beau, an award-winning natural deodorant brand for girls.

The programme also included a Meet The Mayors discussion featuring mayors from Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Salisbury, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Westbury and Amesbury.

An Invest in Wiltshire panel, introduced by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Dame Sarah Troughton, brought together Wiltshire Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn, deputy leader Cllr Mel Jacob, Dr Murrison, Melksham and Devizes MP Brian Mathew and Apetito chief executive Ian Stone, with questions posed by Business Biscuit editor Peter Davison.

Apetito, one of Wiltshire’s largest employers, is investing more than £100 million in a new food production facility in Trowbridge.

Carey Tesler, chair of the Trowbridge Chamber, said: “We designed The West Wiltshire Business Expo to encourage networking and cross pollination amongst the business community and to promote our Wiltshire towns, and the feedback from delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers has been excellent.

“We are delighted to invite businesses, from start-ups to global brands, to join the Trowbridge Chamber and attend our networking events and socials and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone again for The West Wiltshire Business Expo 2027.”

Sponsors included Apetito, Wiltshire Farm Foods, Danone, Nutricia, Wiltshire College, FSB, Monahans, Goughs Solicitors, SWIG Finance, Business West, Sante Group, Capitalise, Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police Business Crime Reduction Partnership.