The inaugural event welcomed more than 50 business leaders from sectors including property, professional services, construction and technology to the Georgian era Stockton House in south Warwickshire, owned by The Wigley Group.
It featured a keynote talk from Liam Matthews-Dibbins, IT Manager at BOLD IT, who spoke about the growing cyber risks facing small and medium-sized businesses.
His session highlighted that two-thirds of SMEs have reported experiencing a cyberattack, the reputational and operational damage that can follow, and practical steps organisations can take to reduce risk.
Stockton House now plans to grow the forum into a regular fixture in the Midlands business calendar, further cementing its role as a base for collaboration, leadership and long-term business growth.
Claire Lynch, Senior Executive Director at The Wigley Group, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the launch of the Stockton House Leadership Forum and the response we have had from business leaders across the Midlands.
“It was fantastic to see so many people in the room, openly sharing ideas and engaging with the discussion. There was a real energy to the event and a clear appetite for a forum like this, which brings high-calibre speakers together with meaningful networking in such a unique setting.
“Stockton House has always been about more than just providing space for ambitious businesses. It is about creating a community, and this forum is a natural extension of that. Seeing it come to life so successfully has been great to see, and we’re already looking forward to the next forum.”
The next Stockton House Leadership Forum will take place on 10 June and will feature a talk from Ruby Rai of Thomas Flavell , continuing the series’ focus on expert-led insight and peer-to-peer learning for senior leaders.
Set within landscaped grounds just outside Southam, Stockton House combines historic character with modern facilities and has become home to a diverse business community, as well as a sought-after venue for meetings, events and corporate gatherings.
