Leading entrepreneur Deborah Meaden joins office* show Keynote programme

July 23, 2012 - PRLog -- This year’s visitors to office* will enjoy an unrivalled opportunity to learn from some of the best corporate and celebrity PAs in the business, says event organiser Diversified Business Communications UK following the initial announcement of its 2012 Keynote line up. With Sir Richard Branson’s former Executive PA Penni Pike, Julian Clary’s PA Merryl Futerman, and Josephine Green – PA to Shakespeare in Love star Joseph Fiennes, now all confirmed to appear at the office* show’s third edition on 12-13 September at Olympia, London.

As the UK’s leading event dedicated to meeting the business, training and networking needs of Britain’s office professionals, office*’s free Keynote programme is renowned for attracting big ‘inspirational’ names from the world of business; with former headline Keynote speakers including Karren Brady, Michelle Mone and Jacqueline Gold. This is year is no exception – and it’s top entrepreneur Deborah Meaden’s turn to draw in the crowds for 2012. Best known as one of the dragons from BBC2's hit show Dragons' Den, Deborah’s session (11.45am-12.30pm on Thursday 13 September) will include insights and anecdotes garnered from a hugely successful business career.

Knowing what it takes to succeed is something that Debbie Georgiou, founder of designer jewellery brand Jinkksy, is also very familiar with having previously been a medal-winning Olympic gymnast. A recent addition to the office* Keynote programme, her session ‘Why I started my own business’ illustrates how hard work can lead in unexpected directions and charts her rise from 9 times British gymnast champion to celebrity jeweller to the stars.

Two business women that have plenty of experience of demanding schedules are celebrity PAs Merryl Futerman and Josephine Green. Founders of boutique training provider PA Access All Areas, their courses are aimed at sharing techniques and strategies gained working as PAs for such household names as Jonathan Ross, Anne Robinson, Emilia Fox, Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller, and Miranda Hart.

"We are constantly surprised at the crossover between our roles and those of a corporate PA,” say Futerman and Green about their highly-anticipated session at office*. “We will lift the lid on what we do – revealing some truths and busting some myths! We are passionate about being PAs and will enjoy sharing that with the office* delegates."

"I'm delighted to be involved with office* and National PA Day,” agrees Penni Pike, who was Sir Richard Branson’s Executive PA for 31 years until her retirement from Virgin in 2005. “They both underline that, as the world gets ever more complex, an outstanding PA remains one of the keys to success.”

Widely regarded as one of the very best personal assistants in the world, Penni initially joined Virgin in 1974 as a backroom helper in the first Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street. During the time she served as Branson's right-hand woman, she witnessed every twist and turn of the company's fortunes across the globe – from Virgin Records to the creation of Virgin Atlantic and much more.

“We are delighted to welcome such a prominent industry figure to the office* Keynote stage,” says Ali Mead, event manager of office*. “Penni Pike is an inspiration to all those lucky enough to hear her story and she’s the perfect ambassador for this year’s National PA Day. We’re anticipating a capacity crowd for her session at this year’s event.”

The office* Keynote programme will complement the show’s comprehensive training and development programme of 32 seminars and master classes across four dedicated theatres. Full seminar details are now available at www.officeshow.co.uk, with the full Keynote programme to follow next week.

To register for a free entry pass to office* 2012, which includes free entry to the Keynote Theatre, please visit www.officeshow.co.uk and use priority code OFF119 where prompted (https://secure.smartregister.co.uk/events/divcom/2012/Off...).

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Media enquiries & press pass requests:

Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645134
e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
http://www.divcom.co.uk

office* exhibitor enquiries:
Ali Mead, office* Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645124
e: amead@divcom.co.uk
http://www.officeshow.co.uk
http://twitter.com/#!/officeshow
http://www.facebook.com/pages/office/116716991701373

Notes:

• Diversified Business Communications UK (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser & publisher based in Brighton. In addition to office*, Diversified UK’s portfolio includes the Service Desk & IT Support Show, Natural & Organic Products Europe, Natural Products Scandinavia, lunch!, camexpo, Natural Products magazine & the Natural Beauty Yearbook.

• Diversified UK is part of Diversified Business Communications, a leading international media company, with a successful portfolio of sector leading exhibition, conferences, publications and websites.