Ealing Festival of Business has secured new private-sector backing for this year’s event after UK Shared Prosperity Fund support previously used to help fund the festival was no longer available.
West London Chambers of Commerce, which organises the free-to-attend exhibition, has brought in iFAST Global Bank and Barratt London as new sponsors for 2026.
They join the University of West London and Currie Motors, which have sponsored the festival since it began. This year’s event takes place at the University of West London on 15 October 2026.
According to the Chamber, Ealing Council had provided part-funding for the festival for the past three years. UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding, which supported last year’s event, is no longer available this year.
Asked what difference the absence of the funding had made, Alan Rides, chief executive officer at West London Chambers of Commerce, said: “To enable us to hold the Festival this year, we have approached commercial sponsors.”
He added: “Hosting this year’s Festival has been challenging but equally rewarding in that we are very pleased that the private sector has stepped in to help the Festival, which is geared to Ealing’s SMEs.”
Around 450 people attended last year’s event, according to the Chamber, up from 245 in 2024.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, who will speak at the Stakeholders Breakfast.
Ealing Council will also use the festival to promote its 100 Pledges initiative.
New sponsor iFAST Global Bank will have a stand at the festival and run a seminar.
Steve Chu, commercial banking manager at iFAST Global Bank, said: “We share this vision by helping businesses overcome banking barriers and access the financial solutions they need to grow with confidence.
“We look forward to supporting more businesses on their growth journey in the UK and beyond.”
