LET’ S DO BUSINESS
Ready for business
With Feature Focus cover star Melvyn Downes and Commonwealth long jump champion Jazmin Sawyers heading the speaker line-up, Let’ s Do Business returns to Uttoxeter Racecourse following a record-breaking year, with more than 1,000 businesses expected for a day of new connections, ideas and opportunities …
The stands and grandstands of Uttoxeter Racecourse will again give way to a different kind of ambition this October.
Business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from across Staffordshire and beyond will gather for Let’ s Do Business 2026, the county’ s biggest annual business expo.
Organised by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the event returns on Thursday, 8 October, with a full day of exhibiting, networking and keynote presentations.
More than 1,000 businesses are expected to attend, giving delegates the chance to meet potential customers, discover new suppliers, build relationships and explore opportunities beyond their usual networks.
At the heart of this year’ s programme will be two Stoke-on-Trent-born speakers whose careers have unfolded in very different arenas, but whose stories share powerful themes of resilience, determination and performance under pressure.
Strength under pressure
Fresh from sharing his remarkable story with Feature Focus, former SAS Sergeant Major and SAS: Who Dares Wins star Melvyn Downes will open this year’ s keynote programme between 10.30am and 11.30am.
The Stoke-on-Trent-born speaker will draw on his experiences during 24 years in the British Army, including 12 years with the SAS, to explore leadership, team-building and decision-making under pressure.
Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said:“ Melvyn’ s story is extraordinary. From growing up in Stoke-on-Trent to serving with the world’ s most elite special forces, his journey is one of resilience, determination and genuine leadership.
“ I can’ t wait to hear what he has to share with our business community.”
A champion’ s comeback
Joining Melvyn on this year’ s keynote line-up will be Stoke-on-Trent-born Olympian and Commonwealth long jump champion Jazmin Sawyers.
Jazmin arrives at the Expo following a remarkable return to the highest level of her sport.
On 1 August, she claimed Commonwealth gold with a jump of 6.93m at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Her victory came less than two years after she ruptured her Achilles tendon and was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics while recovering from surgery.
It was also a full-circle moment for Jazmin, who returned to the city 12 years after winning silver at the same venue during her first major championships.
Now a Commonwealth champion and British indoor record holder, as well as a sports commentator and presenter, she will share her experiences of elite performance, recovery and success.
Her journey offers its own lessons for business. Progress is rarely uninterrupted, carefully made plans can be overturned without warning and long-term ambitions must sometimes survive periods when the desired outcome feels a long way away.
Jazmin is also a firm believer in the crossover between creative and physical pursuits and how both can contribute to success.
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