Michael Portillo to speak at Francis Clark Finance seminar

Award-winning chartered accountants Francis Clark has announced that TV personality and former Secretary of State Michael Portillo will be the keynote speaker at the firm’s second Finance in the South West seminar to be held in February 2014.

The eagerly anticipated seminar brings together the people representing funding and support streams potentially available to SMEs and includes presentations and participation from major providers of business funding and support, case studies, networking opportunities for owner/managers to ask “one-to-one” questions and coverage of grants, debt and equity.

Francis Clark partner Lewis Banfield said: “This is an important event where representatives of potential sources of finance for the South West SME sector explain what and who their funding is for. The idea is to give an overview of the myriad of funds available and to hear presentations by funders to assist owner/managers in ascertaining whether a funding stream is right for them.

“We are delighted to have someone of the stature of Michael Portillo as our keynote speaker and we are all greatly looking forward to the perspective he will bring to the issues at hand.”

Michael Portillo added: “I accepted this invitation from Francis Clark with great pleasure.  The issue of funding and credit for the SME sector is fundamental to the UK economy continuing to recover and I am delighted to have the opportunity of participating in such a significant event for the South West business community.”

The Finance in the South West seminar is free of charge and takes place at Exeter Racecourse on Wednesday 26 February between 8am and 2pm. Places are limited to two representatives per business and will be available on a first come first served basis. 

Reservations can be made by visiting www.francisclark.co.uk/news-views/events or by emailing jayne.phillips@francisclark.co.uk