The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce and the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police will both speak at the Duncan & Toplis Directors’ Briefing in November.

John Longworth and Neil Rhodes are the first two speakers to be confirmed for the sixthannual event, which offers high-level advice and insights to business leaders from across the region.

The Directors’ Briefing will take place at the Belton Woods Hotel near Grantham on Friday 21^st November 2014.

Having originally trained as a scientist, John Longworth was appointed Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce in 2011. He has served as an Executive Main Board Director of Asda Group Ltd and Asda Financial Services and held senior director positions at Tesco Stores and the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS Ltd).

He was economic spokesman for the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and is currently Chair and founder of a venture capital-backed science and professional services business, SVA Ltd, Non-Executive Director at the Co-operative Group Food Ltd and Nichols Plc and a trustee of the social enterprise P3.

Neil Rhodes became Chief Constable of Lincolnshire in 2013, having joined the Lincolnshire force in 1986. During 15 years with Lincolnshire Police he progressed from Constable to Superintendent before transferring to Humberside Police in 2000 and then moving to Cumbria Police as Assistant Chief Constable in 2004. He returned to Lincolnshire as Deputy Chief Constable in 2008.

Adrian Reynolds, Managing Partner at Duncan & Toplis, said the latest Directors’ Briefing promises to live up to the high standard set in previous years.

‘To be joined at our event in November by such a senior business leader as John Longworth is a real feather in our cap, and we’re sure he will have many useful insights to share on the economy and the business outlook for Britain,’ said Adrian.

‘Neil Rhodes too is a very prominent figure in the county and he will give us a different perspective which I’m sure delegates will find stimulating.

‘Our annual Directors’ Briefing is always well attended as it provides an unmatched opportunity for senior business leaders to meet, share ideas and hear from a range of influential and knowledgeable speakers.’

Attendance at the event is free and includes a buffet lunch. To book your free place visit www.duntop.co.uk/news-and-publications/events/directors-briefing-booking-form or call Hannah Clark on 01522 507000.

Video highlights from last year’s event can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvXBSUv2Exo

Notes to editors

• Duncan & Toplis was established in 1925 and has since grown into one of the largest independent firms of chartered accountants in the Midlands.
• The firm was named ICAEW East Midlands Medium Accountancy Firm of the Year in March 2014.
• Duncan & Toplis appears in the top 40 UK accountancy practices list published by Accountancy Age.
• The company has 10 offices throughout the East Midlands: in Grantham, Boston, Lincoln, Louth, Melton Mowbray, Newark, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford.
• Duncan & Toplis offers a wide range of services to small to large-sized family businesses, from accountancy, audit and tax to payroll, human resources and computer services.
• The business employs around 350 staff, of whom 85 are currently engaged in professional training.

For media information please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07733 230293
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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