A CONFERENCE to help Yorkshire businesses unlock new potential by exploiting the latest environmental opportunities is being held near York this spring.

Opportunities for new products, processes and markets which can help boost profitability - or become the foundation for whole new enterprises - will be highlighted at the one-day conference, Business And The Environment, at the Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, on April 22.

The conference, aimed at a commercial audience of chief executives, entrepreneurs, owner-managers and financial directors, is the idea of York-based commercial lawyer firm Denison Till, which is hosting the event jointly with Yorkshire Forward, Business Link York and North Yorkshire, the University of York and Science City York.

The head of Denison Till's company commercial department, Andrew Lindsay, a partner with special expertise in environmental law, said: "This conference will be highlighting new commercial applications which harness the latest environmental thinking and research.

"Those who attend will be able to discover vital, profitable ideas relevant to a wide range of enterprises which recognise that, in a fast-changing world, they must not get left behind in the new environmental business agenda.

"As well as being able to find out how positive environmental action can help improve their bottom line, businesses will be able to see very real opportunities for new products and markets and take away practical ideas for developing their own enterprise and give them a new competitive edge.

There will also be the chance to network and exchange ideas with like-minded businesses, scientific and environmental academics, regulators and relevant local organisations.

Among many speakers will be Sir Ben Gill, former president of the National Farmers Union, on how solutions to climate change affecting business are within our grasp; Dr Ashley Wilson, of Carafiltration of York, which has developed a product from crushed crabshells to clean contaminated water; and John Millar, of Northallerton-based Yorwaste, on how to manage waste to improve profits.

Jim Lyons, business development manager for the University of York, said: "This is set to be a very special and interesting conference. It will break new ground by not simply focusing upon protecting the environment but by helping businesses capitalise on a new era of opportunities."

Further details of the conference are due to be released shortly. Tickets cost £95 for the day. To book, phone Rebecca D'Agostino at Denison on 01904 561446.

Updated: 08:09 Tuesday, March 09, 2004