Acumen Business Convention: 15 years of breaking business convention boundaries

Each year, the Acumen Business Convention exceeds expectations, and the 15th anniversary proved no different. From the moment the doors opened at the Grand hotel, the energy was electric. Entrepreneurs, founders, and members of the business community arrived in style, welcomed by vintage zebra-print-clad paparazzi evoking a 1920s flair.

From its beginnings of a prestigious gathering at the Brighton Dome, Acumen Business Convention has grown into a flagship event on the South East’s calendar, regularly attracting 300 decision makers. Fifteen years on, it remains true to its roots; vibrant, personal and proudly different. As one attendee said: “This isn’t just a business event – it’s a party.”

The day featured an outstanding line-up of speakers and local business legends sharing their wisdom in the arena sessions. However, the real twist saw nearly 300 attendees join forces to solve the biggest murder mystery in business convention history. With deception, surprises and live entertainment unfolding throughout the day, there wasn’t a dull moment in sight.

The fun didn’t end there. High energy carried into the evening at the Creative Pod Buck-Off After-Party, where business talk gave way to belly laughs and elevator pitches were swapped for punchlines. With guests testing their limits on the Bucking Bronco and celebrating new connections, many attendees hailed this as “the best convention yet”.

The grand arrival

Guests made a grand entrance through a vibrant balloon arch, leading to the Acumen Business Convention Hall of Fame. A tribute to the inspiring speakers who have shaped each event over the years. Figures such as Levi Roots, founder of Reggae Reggae Sauce, Richard Reed, founder of Innocent Drinks, and Jamie Laing, founder of Candy Kittens, represent just a few of the luminaries who paved the way to this special 15th anniversary.

From the outset, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as guests reconnected with familiar faces and discovered new suppliers, collaborators and even potential partners.

As lights dimmed and music boomed, attendees settled in for a show to remember. Acumen Law’s own Alvin Itto served as compere of the day. With a warm welcome he introduced Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, the chosen charity for this year’s convention. It was heartwarming to see all the incredible work they do.

To kick off the day, he reflected on memorable moments over the past 15 years. He touched on the rise and fall of the iPod, England managers and joked about our daily trust in tech for our professional reputation, even when it autocorrects to “duck off”.

Penina Shepherd, founder and CEO of Acumen Law, then took to the stage to personally thank attendees and reflect on the journey so far. She emphasised that the true magic of the convention isn’t just what happens on stage, but in the conversations, connections and community moments that surround it. This event is built by the community, and for the community, and Penina’s heartfelt words underscored its enduring legacy.

What started as a gathering of 100 business people at the Brighton Dome has developed into the only business convention of its kind outside the capital. Over the years, there have been African drummers, international speakers, acrobats, zebra dancers, live singers, and so much more. Every year delegates leave with a new client, supplier or even business partner.

Extraordinary speakers

Adam Pearson, acclaimed TV presenter, actor and disability rights advocate, opened the speaker line-up with a powerful message. Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, which causes facial disfigurement, Adam shared his journey from stigma to stardom. Known for his performance in the BAFTA-nominated film Under the Skin, Adam challenged unconscious bias and urged attendees to be open to asking questions, even the uncomfortable ones, in pursuit of progress and inclusion. The room fell silent as Adam exclaimed: “People with disabilities are just people, not a hero, a victim, or a villain.”

Next came Rob Starr MBE, founder of Starr Trust and SEICO, followed with compelling tales of perseverance, risk and sheer determination. Brighton’s beloved entrepreneur and charity champion captivated the room with a clear message: self-belief, perspective and resilience are the driving forces behind success. When faced with tricky situations, Rob didn’t back down, he leaned in, said yes, and figured out the ‘how’ later. The audience applauded his authentic approach as he truly wore his heart on his sleeve.

Peter James, master of crime fiction and bestselling author, took the stage with stories that thrilled and fascinated the audience. He spoke of shadowing a real detective in Brighton & Hove, research that brought true authenticity to his novels. With his next book set in a grand hotel, Peter couldn’t have been better suited to attend the Grand Hotel and share his inspiration behind his craft. He reminded the audience that everyone has a story worth telling, and the key is to start writing it.

Sarah Willingham, former Dragon, entrepreneur and the most recent owner of the i360, closed the day with a deeply personal and empowering talk. In a fireside chat, Alvin Itto asked Sarah the questions everyone has been desperate to hear. She shared her vision for bringing soul to Brighton’s i360, her honest experiences of being a working mother and how menopause and underestimation have shaped her resilience. The audience celebrated when Sarah revealed that when people underestimate her, it becomes her “superpower”.

During the audience Q&A, including questions about what success means to her, Sarah inspired with humility and humour, urging everyone to care for themselves first: “If you’re not looking after yourself, how can you truly look after others?”

The murder mystery twist

This year’s convention included a surprising twist, a live murder mystery woven seamlessly throughout the day. From cryptic clues in PowerPoint slides to mysterious announcements and “leaked” podcast episodes, delegates were drawn into a whodunnit unfolding in real-time.

The story started when Benjamin Rose, Solicitor at Acumen Law, stood on stage to talk about his beloved topic of compliance. He took a sip of what turned out to be poisoned coffee, live on stage. The audience rose to their feet and gasped as he fell to the ground. Throughout the day, attendees picked up subtle clues including suspicious WhatsApp messages, hidden notes and even a suspect line-up featuring Brighton celebrities like Chris Eubank, Zoe Ball and Fatboy Slim.

The climax came during the final session, where the real culprit was dramatically revealed. What was supposed to be an exclusive reveal of Peter James’ new book cover, actually displayed a picture of him joining forces with Zoe Ball to poison Ben’s coffee! Laughter erupted from the audience as Peter James shrugged.

It was a playful reminder that business doesn’t have to be boring.

A business community like no other

Although the stage took the spotlight, the magic also happened around the tables. Conversation, collaboration and inspiration flowed freely. What started on stage spilled into the crowd, sparking lively discussions and meaningful connections.

Arena sessions provided limelight for local legends. With three separate arena rooms dedicated to renowned local heroes sharing their wisdom. Carole Gilling-Smith, of Agora Clinic, shared insights on leading with quiet courage and building inclusive workplaces, shaped by rejection and resilience. Chris Barnard from Collective Concepts Accounting explained how to use financial data to transform a business. Ade Holder, of 427 Marketing, demystified the dos and don’ts of SEO. Each speaker offered practical tools for business growth and sparked fresh ideas.

The second breakout session provided dedicated connection space. The rooms transformed into networking environments for connecting, relaxing and playing. Guests enjoyed the freedom to roam and network amongst themselves, sharing laughs over games or discussing favourite moments from the day. Each room buzzed with excitement as there was so much to explore.

As day turned to night, the community gathered once more at the Creative Pod Buck-Off After-Party. Hats off to Jess Nicks, Sam Thomas and Ben Rose, who bravely entertained the crowd with their comedy sketches. The laughs continued with the Bucking Bronco Challenge where the top rider held on for an impressive 23 seconds! (A very big ‘well done’ for anyone who lasted more than three seconds…)

The room buzzed with energy and camaraderie long into the night, fuelled by food from Nostos and the joy of shared experience. The Sussex business community once again proved that business and fun do, in fact, mix perfectly.

An event like no other

The Acumen Business Convention isn’t your typical business event, it’s a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and connection. With live entertainment, interactive twists and unfiltered honesty from the stage, it has become a staple in the Brighton business calendar.

It’s a place to gain insights, forge lasting friendships and share laughter as much as learning. Whether attendees were seeking inspiration, new ideas, or future collaborators, this convention offered something for everyone.

As the curtains closed on the 15th Acumen Business Convention, the energy lingered. Attendees have shared their key takeaway from the event has been to trust yourself and go out of your comfort zone, as this is when true growth happens.

www.acumenlaw.co.uk