The International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (IEEC 2025) returned to Manchester this September with a powerful message: enterprise education is at a crossroads, and its future will be shaped by collaboration, disruption, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Over four days, more than 200 enterprise educators, researchers, and practitioners gathered at Manchester Metropolitan University to share insights, challenge assumptions, and build new partnerships that will define the next generation of entrepreneurial learning.
Hosted in partnership with Enterprise Educators UK, the conference is more than a calendar fixture; it is a living ecosystem. Every keynote, panel, and informal conversation reinforced a central truth: progress happens when ideas, challenges, and solutions intersect.
Manchester as a Stage for Change
The choice of Manchester was no coincidence. Known for its radical history, pioneering disruptors, and culture of innovation, the city provided an ideal backdrop for tough but necessary conversations. Against the realities of a poly-crisis world — climate change, AI disruption, and geopolitical instability — Manchester symbolised resilience and reinvention.
Sessions were held at the Manchester Metropolitan Business School, a top-ranked institution for sustainability, where participants debated how enterprise education UK can prepare learners not just to survive disruption, but to lead through it. The city itself became part of the narrative, reminding delegates that bold ideas have always thrived here.
Disruption as a Starting Point
The conference opened with a keynote provocatively titled “Disruptions – Is Business as Usual an Option?”. Delivered by Nadia Woodhouse (EY) and Vimesh Roopun (Manchester Metropolitan University), the session set the tone for the week. Delegates were challenged to reflect on whether old systems remain “fit for purpose” in an era of rapid change.
Far from offering easy answers, the keynote pushed educators to rethink assumptions. Should enterprise education prioritize growth at any cost, or should it embrace models that value sustainability in education and social justice? How can we train future leaders to remain adaptive and resilient in uncertain times?
Rethinking Enterprise Education
A highlight of IEEC 2025 was the Spotlight Panel: Rethinking Measures, Access, and Competition, chaired by Diana Pasek-Atkinson. Panelists included Peter Ptashko (Cambio Consultancy), Amy Brereton, and Dr Emily Beaumont.
Together, they tackled three pressing challenges:
- Economic Impact vs. Sustainability – How can educators measure success beyond profit, incorporating social and environmental impact?
- Access vs. Equity – What does it mean to move from broad access to genuine equity in inclusive enterprise education?
- Competition vs. Competence – Can collaboration and competence-building replace competitive models that often exclude rather than empower?
The panel rejected abstract debates in favor of practical solutions. From embedding sustainability into curricula to designing inclusive pathways for underrepresented learners, the conversation was rooted in real-world application.
Cambio Consultancy: Leading with Purpose
For Cambio Consultancy, IEEC 2025 was a chance to showcase its mission of making sustainability simpler and social change more accessible. Representing Cambio on the panel, Peter Ptashko emphasized the importance of moving beyond “business as usual” in enterprise education.
His contribution centered on balance: balancing economic impact with sustainability, access with equity, and competition with competence. Drawing from real-world consultancy work, he demonstrated how organizations can design educational models that prepare learners to become future-ready leaders in an uncertain world.
Building a Living Ecosystem
Beyond structured sessions, IEEC 2025 thrived in its informal spaces. Networking events, unconference formats, and social gatherings turned the conference into a living ecosystem of ideas. Delegates left with not just notes, but new partnerships and collaborations that will shape the sector for years to come.
The National Enterprise Educator Awards, held at the National Football Museum, added another layer of celebration. Recognizing leadership and innovation in entrepreneurship education, the awards highlighted the individuals and institutions driving meaningful change across the UK.
A Community of Changemakers
By the close of the conference, one thing was clear: IEEC 2025 was not just an event, but a movement. It crystallized the need for brave conversations, innovative disruptions, and unwavering commitments to inclusion and sustainability.
For participants, the conference reinforced that enterprise education is not simply about teaching students to start businesses. It is about preparing them to lead in a world facing profound challenges — from climate breakdown to digital transformation.
At Cambio Consultancy, the insights from IEEC 2025 will continue to inform how we work with clients and partners. Our mission is to help organizations build more resilient, impactful, and future-ready strategies, ensuring that enterprise education remains a force for positive change.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is IEEC?
IEEC is the International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference, an annual gathering of enterprise educators, researchers, and practitioners.
Who should attend IEEC 2025?
The conference is designed for educators, policymakers, researchers, and professionals who want to explore the future of enterprise education.
What were the main themes of IEEC 2025?
Key themes included disruption in education, sustainability in enterprise learning, AI in entrepreneurship, and inclusive education.
How does IEEC support sustainability?
IEEC integrates sustainability into its sessions, highlighting how enterprise education can balance economic outcomes with environmental and social responsibility.
References
- IEEC 2025 Official Website
https://ieec.co.uk - Enterprise Educators UK – IEEC Conference Info
https://www.enterprise.ac.uk/ieec/ - Enterprise Educators UK – IEEC2025 Conference Details
https://www.enterprise.ac.uk/events/ieec2025/ - IEEC2025 Conference Information & Venue
https://ieec.co.uk/ieec2025-2/info/ - Manchester Met Business School Venue & Virtual Tour
https://ieec.co.uk/ieec2025/info/ - EEUK – IEEC Conference Updates
https://eeuk-menu.instawp.xyz/ieec/ - IEEC2025 LinkedIn Reflections
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/catherine-brentnall-68b787a_ieec2025-ented-activity-7372290659510292481-frgs - Dan Sodergren – IEEC2025 Insights & Disruption
https://www.dansodergren.com/blog/coming-full-circle-my-return-to-enterprise-education-at-ieec2025 - National Enterprise Educator Awards – Gala Dinner Info
https://neea.org.uk/categories-and-awards/2025-neea-shortlists - IEEC2025 Promo Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkScrl-_JEI