"The fact that he led the team that delivered the Olympics in London which was a phenomenal, global success means he is absolutely the ideal person to speak in our area right now."
Louise Bennett, Chamber chief executive
One of the UK’s greatest ever athletes and the man who won and delivered the 2012 Olympics Games in London will be the keynote speaker at a major business event in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Sebastian Coe, who won four gold medals and three silver medals at Olympics and European Championships – setting 12 world records over four distances during an illustrious running career, will be speaking at the Chamber of Commerce Big Business Lunch at the Ricoh Arena in March.
After his career as a sportsman, Lord Coe moved into politics and became an MP before he took on the role of leading the bid and, ultimately, delivering the hugely successful London 2012 Games.
He is seen as the ideal keynote speaker at the event as Coventry approaches its year as UK City of Culture in 2021 and Birmingham hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2022, which will also see events taking place at the Ricoh Arena and in Leamington Spa.
It is the first Big Business Lunch to be organised by the Chamber and will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 10am until 3pm. CityFibre has been confirmed as a main sponsor for the event while Kumari Hart Solicitors is a supporting sponsor.
The event will combine a morning expo with a prestigious networking lunch, featuring Lord Coe’s keynote speech, and with nearly 200 tickets booked already is expected to offer the largest networking opportunity of the spring for the region.
Louise Bennett, chief executive at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce Sebastian Coe as our keynote speaker at our first ever Big Business Lunch.
“Even without his role in London 2012, he would be a major draw for businesspeople as he is an important British figurehead, one of our greatest ever athletes and has gone on to have a successful career after retiring as a sportsman.
“However, the fact that he led the team that delivered the Olympics in London which was a phenomenal, global success means he is absolutely the ideal person to speak in our area right now.
“There is less than a year to go to UK City of Culture and, after that, the Commonwealth Games which will bring massive opportunities to Coventry and Warwickshire.
“So we are delighted that we can offer businesses the chance to hear from Lord Coe at this fantastic new event for Coventry and Warwickshire, which will provide one of the biggest networking opportunities for firms across the region this spring.”
For more information, to book your ticket to attend the lunch or secure an expo stand, go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/events/coventry-warwickshires-big-business-lunch/
