Virgin tycoon Branson to headline GEC

VIRGIN tycoon Sir Richard Branson has been confirmed as the headline speaker at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Liverpool in March.

He said: “A strong economy needs to encourage entrepreneurs to create and grow their businesses.

“It is great to see the Kauffman Foundation backing Britain by bringing the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, a showcase of entrepreneurial talent, to Liverpool this March. I’m very happy to be supporting the event.” 

The event – is expected to attract 3,000 people to the city – is a major coup for Liverpool and the North West. GEC 2012 Liverpool is the first time the event has been held in Europe.

Sir Richard Branson – whose Virgin Money business has just bought Northern Rock, is the latest name on the speaker’s rostrum. Others include Sir Terry Leahy, the Liverpool-born former Tesco chief executive and Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane-Fox, Dell executive Steve Felice and Lord Heseltine.

Other new speakers confirmed today are: Paul Lindley of Ella’s Kitchen,  Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct and Company Shortcuts; former TV ‘Dragon’, Doug Richard, founder of School for Start Ups.

The event takes place from March 9 to 16 at the BT Convention Centre.  The ‘main event’ for speakers is on March 13.

Economic development agency Liverpool Vision is working with the US-based Kauffman Foundation on the GEC. The Foundation’s goal is to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: “Sir Richard Branson is a major capture for Liverpool’s GEC and adds yet another outstanding name to a stellar list of speakers and participants.

“To welcome an entrepreneur like Sir Richard Branson to the city is an honour as we aim to be a winning city for enterprise.

“The Congress forms a key part of our ambition to encourage and celebrate entrepreneurship in Liverpool and create a meaningful legacy for the city.”