Sir Bob Geldof to be headline speaker at The Business Day
Tue 27th March 2018
Sir Bob Geldof, founding member of The Boomtown Rats and tireless campaigner for numerous world charities, is announced as headline speaker at The Business Day 2018. He replaces the previously announced headline speaker, Joanna Lumley, who has been forced to withdraw due to changing filming schedules for her latest documentary project.
Sir Bob is most well known for using his high profile to raise awareness of a wide range of causes - primarily in Africa but more recently speaking out against the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of North West Burma.
He rose to fame thanks to his music career; which began with The Boomtown Rats in 1975, and is known for the award-winning hit albums and singles he has recorded – both as part of the band and as a solo artist – and he continues to be a prolific recording artist.
It was during the Ethiopian famine in 1984 that he turned his attention to charity work, organising Band Aid and the fundraising event Live Aid. He received a knighthood in 1986 in recognition of his charity work.
Sir Bob’s co-ownership of Planet 24; a television production company that launched The Big Breakfast in 1992, he became established as an astute businessman. He also founded Deckchair.com; an online travel agent, and later founded documentary film production company, Ten Alps Communications.
Today, Sir Bob continues his charity work; having recently completed Geldof in Africa for the BBC, during which he travelled through West, Central and East Africa. He has also written a number of articles for publications including Time magazine.
He uses his experiences and insight into global issues to talk in an informative, provocative and entertaining way about a variety of topics. He is internationally recognised as a leading authority on world politics, international and current affairs, music, humanitarian issues, philanthropy, poverty, human rights and Africa. He is also a business entrepreneur with extensive knowledge of Brexit and UK and Irish politics.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Sir Bob Geldof is a fantastic addition to our programme of speakers for The Business Day. The event is billed as a day of discovery and insight for business people – and who better than Sir Bob to deliver a unique world insight that, I have no doubt, people will be eager to hear.”
Andrew Aldis, general manager of Bridlington Spa, said: “As a venue manager and event producer, who was a teenager in the 1980s, it’s hard to describe the pride I feel in sharing space with Sir Bob Geldof for a few hours. The Band Aid single and Live Aid events were pivotal moments that focused the attention of teenagers like me on the plight of those suffering through the Ethiopian famine and that focus led me to an interest in current and world affairs that persists to this day.”
Meanwhile, Joanna Lumley has apologised for having to withdraw from the event saying: “I am so sorry not to be joining you for The Business Day event. Due to changes in filming schedules, I will now be filming my next documentary, The Silk Road, over the date of the event.
“I hope you all have a wonderful time and again, many apologies that I cannot be with you.”
In response, Andrew Aldis said: “On behalf of the entire team producing The Business Day I’d like to thank Ms Lumley for her involvement thus far and her very gracious apology. We will, no doubt, be knocking at her door again for a future event.”
The Business Day is an all-day business event which takes place at Bridlington Spa on Friday, 8 June 2018.
Tickets are priced at £125 each or £1,000 for 10 and are available online at www.bridspa.com, via the box office on (01262) 678258 or you can discuss your ticket requirements with the event’s dedicated consultant, Chris Higgins, on 07553 409008.
