THE head of a £500 million-turnover ice-cream manufacturer spoke of his passion for growth when he spoke to guests at the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

James Lambert, chief executive of R&R Ice Cream and chairman of York veterinary products business Animalcare, said: “I’m passionate about growth.

“Growth should be a priority of all organisations, whether a government or a society, and should be part of every politician’s DNA,” he said.

Mr Lambert praised the work being done in York to stimulate growth and said he was pleased to hear that part of the council’s mantra was to create 1,000 new jobs a year in York.

Susie Cawood, head of the chamber in York, said the event attracted a full house of 260 people.