Our second Scaleup Session brings together two exceptional business leaders for an unfiltered conversation about the highs, lows and realities of scaling.
Scaleup Sessions is a founder‑led event by Manchester Digital in partnership with Cadro, designed to provide honest insight and genuine connections.
For this session we'll hear from Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors, who has led the company through a remarkable journey of transformation and growth. He’ll be in conversation with Nataša Williams, Co-founder and CEO at Cadro, an award-winning industry leader with three decades in wealth management and investment banking.
Whether you’re a founder, leader or operator in the thick of scaling your tech business, this is your chance to learn directly from those who have navigated the real challenges of growth - and to connect with peers on the same journey.
Why should you be there?
- Access real-world lessons: Learn what it REALLY takes to grow from early traction to sustainable scale.
- Build your support network: Connect with other ambitious founders, investors and ecosystem enablers.
- Stay in the loop: This session is part of a series taking place over a year where we will explore individual journeys and themed insights.
This is for you if you’re looking to:
- Learn from founders who have navigated the path to scale
- Gain insight into fundraising, hiring, pivots, product market fit — and everything in between
- Access a supportive community of scaling leaders
About the speakers
Nataša is an award-winning industry leader with three decades of experience in wealth management and investment banking. She leads teams to innovate, disrupt and deliver on challenging assignments in Financial Services and works with high integrity and goodwill to which she likes to add a pinch of humour.
Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors since 2016, has been instrumental in the company’s growth since joining as Managing Director in 2004. Under his leadership, Steve orchestrated a successful MBO in 2014 with backing from Equistone Partners Europe Limited and led a secondary buy-out in 2018 with Vitruvian Partners. Steve has overseen the development of Travel Counsellors to become the UK’s largest and fastest-growing technology platform and community for travel entrepreneurs, connecting over 2,000 independent business owners and enabling them to deliver exceptional levels of customer service.
Scale Up Sessions is sponsored by Cadro.
Cadro is an investment manager for clients of the twenty-first century. They meet the needs of modern investors by combining the power of technology with personalised service and investment expertise
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This event is for founders, leaders, or operators of scaling tech businesses; if you're curious about partner/sponsor options, including branding, host benefits, private dinners or founder interviews, we’d be delighted to chat - contact us at claire@manchesterdigital.com
To reserve your place, book your ticket today. This event is aimed at founder, leader or operators of tech scaleups only, please email claire@manchesterdigital.com if this does not apply to you but you would like to attend. We reserve the right to cancel any orders.
Please also note: for access and security requirements, by signing up to attend this event you are agreeing for your name to be shared with the venue host.
Bring a Tin
We're encouraging all event attendees to bring a tin of food to donate to Mustard Tree, a Manchester charity supporting people facing poverty and homelessness. It’s a small act that could make a big difference. Donations can also be made on the day.
Let’s make doing good part of what we do—together, and let’s make kindness part of the culture.
