Mikhail Gorbachev and Donald Trump are to stir up debate among York's business leaders.

At least their pre-recorded videos will appear on screen at York Racecourse before a gathering so eager to learn the secrets of top drawer leadership that they are prepared to pay up to £395 each for the privilege.

The event, on Tuesday November 16, is the first of three to be organised in Britain by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM).

Called Living Leadership 2004 Delivering Results, the former leader of the Soviet Union and the American real estate dealmaker are two of five top people interviewed on video by the ILM.

Afterwards, Rene Carayol, the broadcaster and author of Corporate Voodoo, will organise a debate on their insights into leadership. Others making a video appearance will be

Jim Collins whose management laboratory in Colorado mentors senior executives and chief executives at more than 100 corporations

The hugely-influential writer researcher and lecturer Peter F Drucker

Russell Simmons, known as "the CEO of Hip Hop", who sits at the helm of a multimillion dollar entertainment empire which includes a record label, management company, a movie production house, television shows and an advertising agency

Ken Blanchard, best selling co-author of The Minute Manager, The Leadership Pill and Whale Done.

Mr Gorbachev is, of course, known as the former leader who dismantled the oppressive communist system in the Soviet Union.

He is also known in Russia as the man who brought them pizza.

He appears in a Russion television advertisement, visiting Pizza Hut in Moscow's Red Square with his grand-daughter.

Mr Trump is the building magnate and author of The Art of the Deal, one of the most successful business best-sellers of all time.

Gary Ince, chief executive of ILM said: "When people such as Gorbachev and Trump talk, it pays to listen. Leadership techniques are similar right across the globe, as well as across business and government."

Updated: 10:06 Monday, October 18, 2004