ONE of the UK’s top business leaders is set to speak at an event in Dorset this April.

The director general of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Shevaun Haviland, will give the keynote speech at the Dorset Chamber President’s Lunch on April 19.

The event is one of the highlights of the organisation’s calendar, and will be hosted by president Caron Khan.

It will also mark the launch of a three-day Dorset Business Festival, which will be held in October.

“Shevaun is one of the UK’s most influential and high-profile business leaders, so I am delighted that she has agreed to speak at my president’s lunch as my special guest,” Ms Khan said.

“The event will also herald the build-up to our much-anticipated Business Festival in what promises to be a very exciting year for the Dorset Chamber.”

Ms Haviland has worked at companies including the Walt Disney Company and Dot Native, as well as at the Cabinet Office and Number 10, where she managed business partnerships.

The event will be held at the Italian Villa in Poole, focusing on the work of the business support organisation, the economy and campaigning priorities for the coming year.

Chief executive Ian Girling said: “This promises to be a superb event with one of the titans of the business world.

“Our thanks go to Shevaun for agreeing to attend and to Lester Aldridge for its much-valued support.”

Dorset Chamber is the only BCC-accredited organisation in the county.

It champions the cause of local businesses and its members, working with the BCC and other chambers to influence decision makers at Westminster.

Their festival will feature a major conference, a business exhibition, and the revamped Dorset Business Awards 2023.

For more information on the lunch, and to book tickets, visit: https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/event/presidents-lunch/