YIBC looks to winners in Strauss and Fitzpatrick
ASHES winning England captain Andrew Strauss is to speak at this year’s Yorkshire International Business Convention, it has been confirmed.
Mr Strauss will be joined at the event by former New Zealand rugby union captain Sean Fitzpatrick.
Convention chief executive Mike Firth said the sports stars’ attendance at YIBC would shift the emphasis of previous events from ‘Can Do’ to a winning theme.
He said: “For the past two years we have used the ‘Can Do’ theme to reflect the fact that businesses in this region were surviving despite the recession.
“Well, now we want the focus back on winning rather than just surviving because let’s face it winning is what we do best in Yorkshire, and these are two guys who know all about winning.”
Mr Strauss, 33, was born in Johannesburg, but moved to England when he was six. In 2008 he was appointed England captain and last month led the team to an Ashes victory in Australia.
The England team was the first to win the Ashes in Australia for 24 years.
Mr Fitzpatrick, 47, was one of the most successful All Blacks players in living memory. He took over the captaincy of the team in 1992 and held the role until his retirement in 1997.
In 1996, he led New Zealand to their first ever Test series win against South Africa in South Africa.
Mr Firth added: “It’s the chance to hear from two natural leaders whose success on the sporting fields is all about motivation, inspiration and leadership and those are exactly the qualities any successful business needs at the top.
“So whilst I’m sure both Strauss and Fitzpatrick will be hugely entertaining – and I’m sure there will be a lot of people interested to know how Sean thinks England will do in the World Cup in New Zealand later this year – both these guys have some really important business lessons for the delegates.”
Also speaking at this year’s Convention, the 16th to take place, will be Monty Halls, the former Royal Marines officer who has become one of the world’s leading divers and explorers.
YIBC’s twin events take place at the Harrogate International Centre and Bridlington Spa on June 10th.
The name of this year’s keynote speaker will be announced shortly, and will follow a list of previous speakers which has included former US President Bill Clinton, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Sir Bob Geldof.
For further details visit www.yibc.biz.
