SAJID Javid, secretary of state for culture, media and sport and MP for Bromsgrove, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s annual conference.

More than 200 delegates have already registered for the free event to take place on the morning of Friday, October 10 at the Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich.

Compered by TV presenter Mary Rhodes, the conference theme this year will be "World Class Worcestershire" and the government minister's presentation will precede a special "on the couch" discussion on the benefits that culture, media and sport bring to the economy.

The discussion will include contributions from Charlie Bethel of the British Wheelchair Basketball Association, Ben Humphrey of Worcestershire Repertory Company, Ivan Knezovich, managing director of West Midlands Safari Park, Mike Ashton for Destination Worcestershire, and David Leatherdale, chief executive at Worcestershire County Cricket Club. The conference, which will also feature contributions from Jaguar Land Rover, Joy Global, UKTI and specially commissioned videos from overseas business representatives, aims to raise the profile of Worcestershire and encourage businesses to target international markets.

Worcestershire LEP has also released details of its new business board membership, following a major review by its appointments and remuneration committee. The board now comprises 21 members, drawn from all parts of the county and from a wide range of organisations and professions.

The members are: Paul Alekna, e-response Recruitment; Mike Ashton, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce; Dean Attwell, Oakland International; Jacqui Bayliss, Harris Lamb; Steve Borwell-Fox, Borwell Ltd; Bob Brown, Institute of Directors; Mike Brown, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust; Penelope Brundenell-Pryke, Greengineering Ltd; Francis Christie, Francis Christie Ltd; Mike Cook, BT Wholesale & BT West Midlands; Neil France, Altaras International; Paul Hutchens, Eco2Solar Ltd; Roy Irish, Financial Partnership & Support Ltd; Mark Martin, One Creative Environments; Zad Padda, Vicarage Nurseries; Affy Qadeer, Westgrove (Developments & Investments) Redditch; Richard Quallington, Community First; Aidan Stevens, St Andrew’s Town Hotel, Droitwich; Olivia Waters, Capital plc; Rebecca Widdowson, Hallmark Hulme Ltd and Ken Wigfield, Federation of Small Businesses.

Peter Pawsey, executive chair at Worcestershire LEP, said: "We were delighted with the quality of applications that we received for both the business board and WLEP board. I feel confident that the new composition of the business board – together with the previously announced changes we have made to the WLEP Board – will have refreshed both teams with new energy, skills and expertise."