Innocent man and jungle tough guy join YIBC line-up
A FORMER SAS officer who taught four Herefordshire housewives to survive in the Borneo rainforest, and the man behind the number one smoothie brand in the UK will be sharing their experiences and philosophies with delegates at this year's Yorkshire International Business Convention.
Ken Hames joined the army in his mid-teens and served for 25 years reaching the rank of Major. As a Royal Marine he was in the thick of the action during the Falklands War, and after numerous tours in Northern Ireland he was selected to join the SAS serving in trouble-spots all over the world.
After leaving the army he set up and led expeditions in some of the remotest and dangerous areas, and has specialised in helping disabled people take part in challenges that would test the stamina, courage and determination of anyone.
He achieved national television fame when Channel Four filmed an expedition called Jungle Janes, after four housewives decided during a dinner party to attempt something that was tough and dangerous. They asked Ken to train them and lead them which he did helping them survive for three weeks in the heart of the Borneo rainforest.
Also confirmed for the Convention is Yorkshire-born entrepreneur Richard Reed who is co-founder of Innocent drinks which sells more than two million smoothies a week in the UK and Europe and now employs more than 270 people.
The business started out with Richard and two university colleagues creating 
smoothies with the help of their own recipe and five hundred pounds of fruit and selling them from a stall at a music festival.
Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and ex-world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, as well as supermodel Elle Macpherson, have already agreed to speak at this year's Convention, but organiser Mike Firth said Ken and Richard were important additions to the line-up of speakers.
“Our motto is 'Inspiring People Inspiring people' and both Ken and Richard have succeeded through inspiration, motivation and leadership,” he said.
“I think our delegates will get a great deal from hearing what they have to say.”
The Convention, which is being sponsored by Barclays Commercial, is being held on Friday June 6 at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate.
