BA chief executive to speak at Chamber dinner

BRITISH Airways chief executive Keith Williams will set out how the airline hopes to support the region’s economy in a speech to the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber annual dinner tonight.

Mr Williams will be addressing the dinner weeks into the operation of the new BA service connecting Leeds Bradford Airport to Heathrow.

The event  will also see Chamber president Nigel Foster give his first speech of the year setting out its goals for 2013.

Mr Foster said: “We are delighted to welcome Keith to Leeds as the CEO of the UK’s flag carrier and one of the country’s most iconic brands.

“I am sure he will share his strong insights on the world economy and the opportunities opening up for our region from his organisation.”

Mr Williams has been BA chief executive since January 2011 following the merger with Iberia and sits on the board of International Airlines Group.

British Airways and Leeds Bradford Airport are the sponsors of the annual dinners which will be held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Meanwhile, English author, journalist and former newspaper editor, Eve Pollard will be the guest speaker at the Chamber’s annual dinner in York in March.

Ms Pollard, who has an OBE, worked on newspapers and magazines before becoming editor of the Sunday Mirror.

She is a regular broadcaster on television and radio and has appeared as guest Newspaper Reviewer on Breakfast with Frost as well as appearing on Have I Got News for You, Loose Women and Beat the Nation.
Her daughter is presenter and journalist Claudia Winkleman.

The Dinner, to be held at the York Racecourse, takes place on March 21 from 7pm.

Richard Flanagan, president of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Eve Pollard to York and I am sure she will have plenty of stories to keep us entertained from her days in Fleet Street.”

The dinner is supported by principal sponsor, HSBC Commercial Banking and additional sponsors are NYnet, Leeds Bradford International Airport, British Airways and Shepherd Group.