Private equity chief joins BPS conference line-up

THE head of the BVCA – the organisation representing venture capital and private equity firms – is the latest top speaker at next month’s Business and Professional Services Conference.

Simon Walker, the South Africa-born PR guru at the helm of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, will join other top business leaders at the event at Old Trafford cricket ground on March 17.

Organised by pro.manchester the BPS Conference, will offer delegates the chance to hear from influential players through keynote speeches, panel debates and interactive forums.

Mr Walker who has been with the BVCA for three years, will discuss the challenges facing both private equity firms and BVCA. He is credited with transforming the image of the sector since taking over the role.

Anchored by Newsnight presenters Kirsty Wark and Gavin Esler, the BPS Conference speaker includes Andrew Bailey, executive director of banking and chief cashier of Bank of England, Angela Knight, chief executive of British Bankers Association, and Business minister Mark Prisk.

John Ashcroft, chief executive of pro.manchester said: “The BPS Conference is set to be the highlight of the business and professional services industry’s calendar this year.

“There is already high demand for places from across the UK and more speakers and topics are yet to be revealed. If you didn’t get to Davos, make sure you get to The Point in Manchester on March 17.”

The Conference has been organised in conjunction with MIDAS, Marketing Manchester, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, RMS and the Commission for the New Economy.

For tickets, see www.bpsconference.co.uk or call  0161 817 3481.