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Gary Neville to make headline appearance at Sunderland Business Festival

The footballer turned entrepreneur will top at the bill at the October event

Gary Neville will appear as the headline speaker at this year's Sunderland Business Festival.(Image: Sunderland Business Partnership)

Former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville has been announced as a speaker at this year's Sunderland Business Festival.

Promising a "fireside chat" with the footballer turned businessman, organisers say his appearance will give attendees an insight into Mr Neville's business career and how the leadership skills that led him to being captain of one of the biggest clubs in the world helped him become one of the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ’s most high profile business people.

Mr Neville enjoyed a 20-year footballing career at Manchester United under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. Having retired in 2011 he went on to become a pundit with Sky Sports, but in addition to that has built a business portfolio encompassing property, hospitality, education, media and sport.

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He began developing property while in his twenties. Now, his Stock Exchange Hotel is one of the top hotels in Manchester, his £400m St Michael’s project is one of the landmark property developments in Manchester city centre, and he will appearing as guest star on the upcoming series of Dragons’ Den.

Mr Neville said: "I’m hugely passionate about the North. All the businesses I run are based here, and I believe we’ve got a thriving business community and I’m really pleased to be part of a brilliant line-up of events in a Northern city that demonstrates such ambition and vision. I’m looking forward to sharing the experiences and stories from across my career and in business."

Sunderland Business Festival is in its third year and will run from October 10-12, across venues in the city and featuring speeches and sessions from high-profile business leaders. Mr Neville's appearance will be at 10.30am on October 11 at the Auditorium at The Fire Station, and is part of a section sponsored by the University of Sunderland.

Prof Lawrence Bellamy, academic dean at the faculty of business, law and tourism, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this fantastic Festival, and supporting a packed programme of business events to the city, including what will be a fascinating talk with Gary Neville. As well as being a leader during his playing days, Gary has proven to be a shrewd businessman, with an ever-growing portfolio.