Sir Howard named as CBI’s top leader

THE Confederation of British Industry (CBI) North West has named the chief executive of Manchester City Council as its business leader of the year.

The CBI presented the award to Sir Howard Bernstein for his innovation and initiative at the helm of the council.

Although the CBI represents the interests of private business the award can go to an individual working in the public sector.

Board of the year went to the Co-operative Group, a Manchester-based mutual which has annual sales of £10bn from its interests in food, funerals, pharmacies and financial services.

Nelson-based Daisy Communications was named as the emerging company of the year. Chief executive Matthew Riley said he wants the business to be an alternative to BT in the small and medium-sized business market.

Round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur addressed the lunchtime audience at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Friday.

Her sailing team is sponsored by the energy company E.ON and she is now involved in promoting sustainable energy. She spoke passionately about the need to switch from society’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“I’ve decided to communicate this subject because I have a voice through sailing,” she said. “We can change things because we have to.”