Tips from the top on beating the recession

SOME of the North West’s most successful, pioneering and innovative business people are gathering this week to exchange ideas and share experiences of trading through the downturn.

A report and video highlights of the discussion will then be published on TheBusinessDesk.com
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Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, the roundtable event, “Recession Proofing Your Business”, features award-winning business leaders Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD Sports Fashion and Zuber Issa, chief executive of fast-growing Lancashire petrol station operator Euro Garages.

Peter Halpin, the new chief executive of the acquisitive and successful High Street insurer Swinton, Gordon Oliver finance director of listed flooring manufacturer James Halstead, Vernon Lord, finance director of the Individual Restaurant Company – the AIM-listed company behind the popular casual dining brands Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill, are also on the panel.

Former investment banker Dan Wright, chairman of Manchester-based textile supplier Vision Support Services and Dave Gill, financial director of Salford IT services group JMC are representing private companies sector.

Senior professional advisers Simon Allport, Manchester office managing partner at accountants Ernst & Young, Nigel Dale, banking partner at law firm Eversheds and Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive of from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce will also feature on the panel.

Dave Allanson, director and head of large corporate for the North West at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets and Dave Walton, regional director for Financial Markets complete the line-up

Mr Allanson said “I am really pleased and excited with the mix of businesses contributing to the roundtable.

“With the sectors represented I think we have a really good barometer of the local economy. I expect it will be a fascinating debate and one that will generate some interesting ideas and conclusions.”