The first woman of football, Karren Brady, Britain’s most high-profile, outspoken, and glamorous businesswoman, headlines World Travel Market’s key Business Day event at ExCeL London in November.

Karren, star of the UK version of the highly-successful business television program, “The Apprentice,” will be offering innovative advice to small- and medium-sized travel businesses at “Talk Business: Fight to Survive,” which takes place on Thursday, November 10.

As vice chairman of West Ham United Football Club in London, she has spent the past few months putting together the winning bid to take over the 2012 Olympic Stadium after the games are over.

After leaving school, Karren set about making her fortune, ignoring further education and jumping in at the deep end. She became Britain’s youngest managing director of a private limited company (plc) at the age of 23 when she took over Birmingham City Football Club, ensuring that it made a profit for the first time in the club’s history.

Among her many other business interests, she is chairman of Kerrang!, the world’s biggest selling weekly rock magazine; non-executive director of Arcadia, Britain’s largest privately-owned clothing retailer with more than 2,500 outlets; and chairman of the England 2018 World Cup bid advisory board.

She has twice been voted one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by the magazine, Cosmopolitan; one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain by the Sunday Telegraph; and one of London’s 1,000 Most Influential People by the London Evening Standard.

Her appearance at World Travel Market’s business day is set to cause one of the most captivating - and controversial - industry sessions in recent years.
World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “Karren Brady has more energy and determination than most people in business.

“Despite being married with two children, she’s also a national columnist and currently writing her second book, a guide to empowering young women in business.

“Karren’s go-getting ability and talent has turned an excellent business session into something quite exceptional.

“Travel businesses desperately need help from someone outstanding and different like Karren. Definitely not to be missed!”

Karren added she is delighted to be able to advise the SMEs of the travel industry.

“Travel businesses desperately need help, advice, and courage to be innovative, customer-oriented, and financially confident in these difficult economic times for the UK and Europe,” she said.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to meet with the travel industry at what is the leading international business event for the travel and tourism industry. I look forward to helping small and medium sized businesses to be successful even in a challenging climate,” she added.

The session will offer top line advice and encourage confidence.

World Travel Market’s Business Day is on Thursday, November 10 at ExCeL London, Platinum Suite 4.