Brian Blessed to speak at Yorkshire International Business Convention

The expansive, bearded Yorkshireman, described by organisers as “actor and adventurer with one of the loudest voices in the business”, will be flown by helicoptered between the two convention sites in Harrogate and Bridlington on Friday, June 11.

Mr Blessed is the son of a South Yorkshire miner who was determined Brian wouldn’t follow him down the pit.

After a range of jobs including working as an undertaker and a plasterer’s assistant, he became one of the country’s most popular – and larger than life – actors as well as being a keen adventurer.

He has attempted to climb Mount Everest, gone on expeditions in the South American jungle, and is still the oldest man on record to trek on foot to the North Pole.

Also speaking at the two sites will be lingerie icon Michelle Mone and business guru Rene Carayol.

Mrs Mone, recently voted one of the top three women entrepreneurs in the UK, is the founder and co-owner with her husband of the lingerie company MJM International Ltd.

Mr Carayol, who will be making his second appearance at the convention, has advised and worked for some of the biggest companies in the UK and US. He is the author of the best-selling business book Corporate Voodoo.

But the keynote speaker is yet to be finalised. In the past they have included the likes of US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Convention chief executive Mike Firth said he believed it would be a compelling line-up.

“We have still to announce the main speaker, but when you look at the quality of the speakers we have already I’m absolutely confident that this year’s convention will fully live up to our motto of ‘Inspiring people: inspiring people’.

“Even though there are signs of an improvement in the economy, businesses still need to be thinking outside the box if they are to succeed, and all three of these speakers know all about doing just that.” For details, visit yibc.biz