Legacy Bench Live at the University of Manchester: A Day of Ideas, Connections and Opportunity

On Friday 18th September, The Legacy Bench brought its first event to the University of Manchester for a day built around one simple idea: bringing ambitious people together to share ideas, ask questions, build relationships and create new opportunities.

Legacy Bench Live at the University of Manchester brought together entrepreneurs, founders, professionals, students, creatives and emerging leaders for an afternoon of conversations, insights and networking.

Hosted at the University of Manchester, the event created a space where different generations, industries and experiences could come together, with discussions spanning entrepreneurship, technology, artificial intelligence, investment, careers, creativity and the realities of building something from the ground up.

More Than an Event

From the beginning, the aim was never simply to organise another business event.

The Legacy Bench was created around the belief that some of the most valuable lessons in business and life come from honest conversations with people who have experienced the highs, challenges and unexpected turns that come with building something meaningful.

The University event was an opportunity to take that idea beyond the studio.

Rather than simply listening to presentations, attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from people working across different industries, ask questions, share their own experiences and connect with others who may be at completely different stages of their journey.

Conversations That Matter

A major part of the afternoon was the live Legacy Bench podcast session, bringing the format of the show directly into the event.

The panel featured voices from across technology, business, marketing and entrepreneurship, creating conversations around some of the biggest questions facing organisations and individuals today.

Topics included the rapidly changing role of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, marketing, investment and the importance of developing meaningful professional relationships.

The conversations weren’t about pretending there is always a straightforward answer.

They were about exploring the challenges, asking better questions and learning from people who are navigating them in real time.

The Future of AI and Technology

Technology and artificial intelligence were naturally central to many of the conversations.

With AI rapidly changing the way businesses operate, the discussion moved beyond the usual headlines to consider how organisations can actually use technology effectively.

Questions around automation, data, digital transformation, responsible technology and the future of work provided plenty of discussion.

From Ideas to Action

One of the most valuable aspects of the day was the opportunity for attendees to move conversations beyond the stage.

Networking was a major part of the event, giving students, founders, professionals and entrepreneurs the chance to meet people they may never have crossed paths with otherwise.

For some, that meant discovering a potential collaborator.

For others, it was an introduction, a new perspective, a potential business opportunity or simply a conversation that could lead somewhere further down the line.

That’s exactly what The Legacy Bench wants its events to create.

Not just connections for the sake of collecting contacts, but relationships that can develop into something meaningful.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors

An event like this would not have been possible without the support of the businesses that backed the vision.

A huge thank you goes to our sponsors:

Space Cleaners

Benova HR

Their support helped us bring the event to life and create an environment where people could come together, learn, connect and explore new opportunities.

We are incredibly grateful for their belief in what The Legacy Bench is building.

Looking Beyond the Day

The University of Manchester event was an important milestone for The Legacy Bench.

It was our first university event, but it was also the beginning of something much bigger.

The response throughout the day reinforced why creating spaces for genuine conversations and meaningful connections matters.

There is a huge amount of talent, ambition and creativity within Manchester and the wider UK business community. Students are looking for direction. Entrepreneurs are looking for connections. Founders are looking for opportunities. Professionals are looking for new perspectives.

And sometimes, all it takes is putting the right people in the same room.

What Comes Next?

The Legacy Bench is continuing to develop its live event programme, bringing its conversations into new universities, communities and business environments.

Following Manchester, we are continuing to build towards further events and opportunities for entrepreneurs, founders, professionals, students and creatives to come together.

The goal remains the same:

Real conversations. Meaningful connections. New opportunities.

The University of Manchester was just the beginning.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, spoke, sponsored, supported, photographed, filmed, networked and helped make the day possible.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who brought their ideas, questions, experiences and energy into the room.