Curious in Conversation - Investment & Startups

Jon and Dave are the co-founders of Blu Sky Chartered Accountants, a firm they built over 15 years to become a cornerstone of the North East’s startup ecosystem. Through their work with a diverse range of businesses, Jon and Dave have become trusted advisors and champions of entrepreneurial growth in the region.

Beyond running a successful practice, they’ve shared their insights and humour through their podcast, 2 Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet, which has gained a loyal following. With years of experience, they’ve gained a rare perspective on the challenges, triumphs, and missteps faced by founders, particularly when it comes to raising capital.

Join us as Jon and Dave share candid stories from their journey, reflect on Dave’s recent exit from the business, and reveal the common pitfalls founders face when seeking funding—along with practical advice to avoid them. This is a must-attend session for anyone navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

About the Panelist’s

Jon

Jon is well-versed in supporting ambitious, busy entrepreneurs with all of the complexities that come with scaling a business. He takes a forward-looking approach and sees the importance of clear strategy, strong leadership, shared values and culture when it comes to business success.

As co-founder and CEO of multi award-winning accountancy practice, Blu Sky, Jon has spent the last 15 years successfully supporting business owners to achieve their goals.In his own business, he’s played a pivotal role in expanding into new markets and facilitating digital transformation. More recently, Jon has championed Blu Sky’s drive to become more sustainable and use business as a force for good by applying for B Corp certification.

Dave

Dave Gibson, Chairman and Founder of Blu Sky Chartered Accountants, co-founded the award-winning accountancy practice Blu Sky in 2007. From its inception, Blu Sky has been recognised by its peers as being ahead of the curve, a testament to Dave's visionary leadership and innovative approach. His early career laid a strong foundation in accounting principles, enriched by his experience in business analytics and project management.

At the time of founding Blu Sky, the accountancy industry was heavily focused on delivering compliance products—essentially historical data. Dave leveraged his 20 years of experience in business analytics and project management to shift this focus towards forward-looking, strategic services. This approach enabled Blu Sky to offer value-added services from day one, positioning the firm as a leader in the industry.

Under Dave's leadership, Blu Sky has garnered significant accolades, including being named the North East Accountancy Practice of the Year and Medium Size Firm of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards. These honors reflect the firm's commitment to excellence and innovation, solidifying its reputation as a leading accountancy practice in the region.

Photography and Videography

We will be taking photographs and videos at Land Digital events. The Organisers shall be entitled to use such show material, which may include photographs and videos of visitors for the promotion of future events.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Land Digital, Mackie’s Corner, Sunderland, United Kingdom