Stephen Boobyer is CEO of the World of Books group in Goring-by-Sea. In just ten years, the business has grown from a start-up into one of the largest sellers of used and rare books in the world and one of the fastest growing companies in UK. World of Books is a perfect example of the circular economy in action. Over 70 million books each year are reused and recycled and in 2013, Ziffit.com was launched to purchase books directly from the public. World of Books has featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track, the LSEG ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, and was named Recycler of the Year in 2016 and received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017.
Stephen’s session is called ‘Reuse, recycle and grow’.
He will talk through the World of Books story, from the beginnings of an idea to a start-up in a bedroom, to one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses with 600 employees – all in ten years. There have been challenges and headwinds, inevitably, but Stephen will show how management techniques and strategies have turned them into opportunities that have helped shape the group’s future. The vision, for Stephen and the team, is for to become the leading seller of used books globally, while helping people to reuse and recycle for less through innovation and technology.
Who’s the Brighton Summit for?
Brighton Summit is for anyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. It’s relevant for all kinds of enterprise: from SMEs to start-ups; from multinationals to social enterprises and charities. Whether you’re a business owner, a CEO, or a manager. And whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee.
What will I get from the Brighton Summit?
Fresh perspective. Approaches and ways of working that are genuinely new to you. Skills and techniques that will help your organisation thrive. The tools and confidence to do things differently. And the most productive and beneficial day out of the office all year.
Brighton Summit – Look Up
This year’s theme is ‘Look Up’. The Summit is a conference that brings together our city’s diverse business community for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops and new experiences.
Tickets and more information:
https://brightonsummit.com/
Friday 12 October - 8:30 am-6:00 pm
The Clarendon Centre, 47 New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GQ