The Scaleup Challenge: Twelve Years On

More than a decade after Sherry Coutu's landmark report, how much progress has Britain made in helping ambitious businesses grow? In 2014, Sherry Coutu was asked by the UK Government to author a landmark report arguing that Britain's economic future depended as much on helping successful businesses grow as on encouraging new startups. It helped put scaleups firmly on the national policy agenda. Twelve years later, how much has changed? Drawing on the latest evidence from the ScaleUp Institute's 2026 annual report (due to be published 9 November), Sherry returns to the questions that first prompted the publication. Has the UK become a better place to build a large, internationally competitive company? Which barriers have proved most difficult to overcome? And what have we learned about the interventions that make a difference? The discussion will also look ahead. Artificial intelligence is changing how companies are formed, managed and grown. What new opportunities does this create for British businesses, and what might it mean for the way we support them? Sherry will be hosted by Chris Coleridge of Cambridge Judge Business School and co-convenor of the Innovation Ecosystems Network (IEN), for a conversation and audience questions. Speaker Sherry Coutu CBE is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and leading advocate for high-growth businesses. She authored the landmark 2014 Scale-Up Report and co-founded the ScaleUp Institute, which works to improve the conditions for ambitious businesses to grow. She also founded Founders4Schools and previously founded and led Interactive Investor. Her board experience includes Pearson, Raspberry Pi and Standard Life. She was awarded a CBE for services to entrepreneurship. Programme 17:00–17:30 – Arrival and drinks reception 17:30–17:55 – Presentation by Sherry Coutu CBE 17:55–18:20 – Conversation between Sherry Coutu and Dr Chris Coleridge 18:20–18:50 – Audience Q&A 18:50–18:55 – Closing Details This event is open to all and free to attend. This event is organised in collaboration between Wolfson College Research Networks and the Innovation Ecosystems Network. Access This event will take place in the Lee Hall which has step-free access and an accessible toilet. Contact If you have any questions, please contact our events team - [email protected] Wolfson College Research Networks The Wolfson College Research Networks are the College’s central hub for research activity, fostering excellence in learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Organising and curating a diverse programme of academic events, the Research Networks support the College’s research hubs and initiatives, and facilitates knowledge exchange by connecting scholars across disciplines within Wolfson, the wider University, and industry. To receive updates on forthcoming events and opportunities, please subscribe to our mailing list. Innovation Ecosystems Network The Innovation Ecosystems Network aims to be a convening hub for exchange and expertise-building in four domains: • Venture Builders and Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) • Innovation Hubs • Technology Transfer and Commercialisation • Talent Development for Innovation