The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of Building A Global Business

How do you build a Devon business into a global brand? Join HEL Performance CEO Simon Lane for his story, lessons and insights. Simon Lane, CEO of HEL Performance, shares the story of building an Exeter-based business into a global performance brand - and the entrepreneurial lessons learned along the way. At our October Boost event, we're delighted to welcome Simon Lane, Founder, Owner and CEO of HEL Performance, for what promises to be a fascinating and inspiring insight into entrepreneurship, growth and building a global business from right here in Devon. Simon took ownership of Hose-Equip Limited in 1999, building on his earlier experience in hydraulics. He went on to restructure the business, shorten the name to HEL and launch the HEL Performance brand and its distinctive Devil's Tail logo. What followed was more than two decades of growth. Today, HEL Performance manufactures high-performance braking products for motorcycles and cars from its purpose-built facility near Exeter, manufacturing key components in-house and exporting its products around the world. HEL products have been used at the highest levels of motorsport, including MotoGP, World Superbikes, British Superbikes and the Isle of Man TT, while the same commitment to performance and quality runs through the products supplied to its road customers. Simon has described more than two decades of double-digit growth and was appointed a UK Government Export Champion in 2021. Yet behind those achievements is the story we really want to explore at Boost. How do you take a business rooted in Devon and build something that competes on a global stage? This isn't simply a story about manufacturing, motorcycles or motorsport. It's a story about entrepreneurship - spotting opportunities, backing yourself, building a brand, investing in quality, making difficult decisions, navigating growth and continually looking for ways to move a business forward. Simon will share the experiences and lessons that have shaped his journey, including the challenges and opportunities that come with growing a business over more than two decades. Whether you're building your own business, leading an established organisation or have ambitions to grow, there will be plenty to take away and apply to your own journey. What To Expect • Vibrant networking with one of the South West's most ambitious business communities. • The story behind building a Devon business into a global brand. • Honest insights into entrepreneurship, leadership and sustained growth. • Lessons on brand, innovation, quality and differentiation. • Real experiences of the decisions and challenges behind business growth. • Inspiration and ideas to take back into your own business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, CEO, leader or simply someone with ambitions to grow, this promises to be another engaging, thought-provoking and inspiring Boost event. Giving Back As always, £3 from every ticket purchased will support a local South West charity. A huge thank you to our fantastic #BYBNetwork partners, WPA, Commissioning HR, Smart Cookie Virtual Assistant, Hamilton Pullen Financial Planning, Griffin Chartered Accountants, Securious, AIM Financial Solutions, Lemon Tree Digital Marketing, Cosmic, TLB Consulting, Exe Insurance & Pushed. Like us, they are passionate about supporting businesses across the South West! Disclaimer The views expressed at this event are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as a recommendation by The Boost Your Business Network. Photographs will be taken at the event and may be used across our social media platforms, if you do not wish to be included in these, please inform us.