The former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and 'rogue trader' Nick Leeson are two of the star names set to speak at the annual Yorkshire International Business Convention.

The convention, which will see more than 1,500 business leaders attend, is in its seventh year.

Convention chairman Richard Gregory said: "Our aim is to inspire, inform and entertain and certainly our speakers do that, but for the delegates who attend it is hopefully more than just an entertaining day.

"In different ways all the speakers have something to say about running a business, whether it is the importance of motivation, how to develop self-belief, or how to run an entire country

''We sincerely hope the delegates go away feeling they have been entertained, but just as important is that they feel they and their businesses have benefited from what they have heard."

Dr Henry Kissinger, Lech Walesa, Albert Reynolds, Robert Kennedy Jnr, F W De Klerk, Bill Clinton, Neil Armstrong and HRH The Duke of York have all travelled to Yorkshire to speak at the convention since the first event was held in 1995.

Other speakers for the event on May 31 include Formula One racing pundit Murray Walker, former head of the FBI Louis Freeh and Debra Veal - who is the youngest ever woman to row single-handed across the Atlantic Ocean.

For further information contact (01924) 899966 or go to www.yibc.co.uk.