Former British SAS officer turned inspirational business leader Joff Sharpe will return to Hereford next week to headline a new growth and export show.
Mr Sharpe, who is currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) at British Land PLC, will give the keynote speech at the Business Growth and Export Show on March 19.
The free breakfast event which will include a visit from the Department for International Trade’s Export Hub truck, is being staged by the Marches Growth Hub at Hereford Racecourse to support businesses which are looking to grow their export markets.
Mr Sharpe began his career by serving in the British Army for 10 years including a stint as an SAS officer, during which he was based in Hereford.
He has subsequently spent more than 25 years in a variety of senior roles, working to improve the performance of blue chip companies, including Mars, PepsiCo, News International and Vodafone.
He then switched focus to the world of private equity where his responsibilities took him from the Ruhr Valley to Scandinavia. He then re-joined the UK FTSE 50 as an executive of a £17 Bn Real Estate Investment Trust.
His colourful career has also involved a year living amongst the Iban headhunters of Borneo, running an internet company for Rupert Murdoch and being Piers Morgan’s HR director.
Mr Sharpe draws on all his professional and personal experiences as well as influential moments to inspire business owners.
His talk during the Business Growth and Export Show will focus on his Herefordshire connections and will highlight how his regimental skills and the principles behind them can lead to business success.
Lyndsey Francis, Economic Development Officer at the growth hub, said they were delighted that Mr Sharpe had accepted the invitation to attend.
She said: “This event is about supporting local companies to grow their organisations by making the most of potential markets at home and abroad. This is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to be inspired and take advice from one of Britain’s most successful business leaders.
Mr Sharpe, who still has links to the city through British Land and its involvement with Hereford Shopping Centre and the cathedral, said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Hereford to talk about how the lessons learnt by elite military units translate to daily business life.
“I have strong connections with the area, having lived and worked in Hereford during my Army days and subsequently returned as COO of a company that invests in and manages commercial real estate in the city.”
Author of “Who Dares Wins in Business” (2014), Mr Sharpe’s book helps business audiences apply such principles, attitudes and habits to their organisations.
The event gets underway at 8am, with Joff Sharpe due to speak at 9am.
To book a place at the event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-growth-export-show-tickets-56801248062
