RBS banker heads star line up for Harrogate business convention
ONE of the UK’s leading bankers will be the keynote speaker at a major international conference in Harrogate aimed at fostering the creation of successful new businesses.
Peter Ibbetson, the chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest Group’s small businesses operation, will speak on “Supporting SMEs in a downturn” at the inaugural International Enterprise Promotion Convention being held from November 15 to 17.
He heads a glittering line-up of speakers that includes entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers and international trade and industry experts such as Deidre Bounds and former Dragons’ Den star Rachel Elnaugh.
Another star of the Dragons’ Den, Doug Richard – the author of the Richard Report on Small Business & Government and founder of the Cambridge School for Startups – will also be speaking.
Mark Robson, international trade director for Yorkshire with the convention’s main sponsors UK Trade & Investment will open the plenary session on enterprise supportpPolicy and practice.
Other speakers in this session include Prof John Thompson of Huddersfield University Business School and Nick Taylor, urban renaissance manager for Scarborough, which this year won the European Enterprise Award.
The programme also includes a variety of workshops on key issues. Paul Dickinson, managing director of Harrogate-based The Alternative Board (TAB), will present one on peer advice and business coaching.
Brian Dunsby, the conference organiser, said: “I am delighted that so many leading practitioners have agreed to speak at the convention. The line-up reads like a who’s who in the field of enterprise promotion, and clearly reflects the importance of this event.”
