Michael Heseltine to speak at Birmingham Chamber annual dinner

Lord Michael Heseltine and John Lewis chief Andy Street have been lined up to speak at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

Lord Heseltine, a Cabinet minister in both the Thatcher and Major governments, and Birmingham and Solihull LEP chair Mr Street will speak at the event at the ICC on April 25 - just a day before Birmingham residents go to the polls for a referendum on whether to adopt an elected mayor.

Lord Heseltine is a vocal supporter of elected mayors and was in Birmingham last week to announce to date of a mayoral vote if residents vote ‘yes’ in May.

Chamber president Michael Ward, head of law firm Gateley’s corporate team and its joint partner, said: “This is a tremendous coup for the Chamber.

"We are looking forward to having one of the icons of the Conservative Party sharing a platform with one of the most powerful and visible business leaders in the UK.”