Guest: Caroline Hobden, Portfolio Director of Accountex
Episode Summary:
How do you organise 400+ speakers, 13 stages, and 11,000+ visitors? In this episode, Ashley is joined by the brilliant
Caroline Hobden—the woman behind Accountex—to reveal what’s coming in 2025.
From brand-new theatres to behind-the-scenes speaker secrets, Caroline shares the innovations that make this the Glastonbury of accounting events.
Ashley gave a quick shoutout to BizFestSW and shared that illustrator Andy Gray will be live-drawing the event, capturing talks in real-time with his huge 1.2m x 4m artwork.
Caroline Hobden: Heads up the powerhouse Accountex brand, delivering leading events in the UK, Spain, Canada, and beyond. She curates world-class speaker line-ups and creates opportunities for the accounting and finance community to connect, learn, and grow.
How Accountex selects speakers and builds a powerful programme
Why the new Impact Theatre is a game-changer for personal branding
Innovations for 2025, including:
Masterclass Series (exclusive deep dives)
Headset audio for better seminar experiences
Solo Traveller Lounge for those attending alone
The power of attending in person (even if it feels overwhelming)
Caroline’s favourite success story about a delegate who became a speaker
Accountex is free to attend, but packed with value—register in advance
New tech like Bluetooth audio makes it easier to hear every word (even from the coffee shop)
Big emphasis on accessibility: quiet rooms, BSL interpreters, hearing loop systems
Caroline and her team are building an event for everyone—from students to seasoned pros
Make a plan before you attend so you can make the most of every session
Catch the replay of this episode to hear all the juicy details from Caroline
Register now for Accountex London: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/
Plan your visit, meet your peers, andmake your mark
Email: chobden@divcom.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caroline-hobden-62888519
Website: accountex.co.uk
Watch the show on YouTube
