Business Diary: May 11

MORRISONS' respected finance director Richard Pennycook reaffirmed his commitment to the group at the trading update on Thursday, in the face of questioning about the vacant FD job at Marks & Spencer, now run by his former boss, Marc Bolland.

Asked whether he has ruled himself out of the M&S job, he said: "I don't rule myself in or out of anything."

He went on to say: "I love Morrisons, I've consistently said that."

Dragon quells fire

WHAT does a dragon sound like when he has left his den?

Well, John Thompson, the professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Huddersfield, has got to know the nurturing side of Theo Paphitis, the star of BBC TV's Dragons' Den and chairman of stationery firm Ryman's. Mr Paphitis has another role, mentoring students at the University of Huddersfield.

So is Mr Paphitis a fearsome figure off-screen? Although he's no pushover, he has a softer side.

Mr Thompson told Diary: "Theo's great strength is that he has discernment – and great charm. Whether he is on Dragons' Den

or in a lecture theatre at Huddersfield University, he can listen to a business plan and pick out the two or three most important points that will determine whether that business will sink or swim."

Friends, Romans...

HE may have been dead for almost 1,700 years, but that isn't stopping the Roman Emperor Constantine from promoting trade links between Yorkshire and Serbia.

It's a little known fact that Constantine – the first Christian Roman emperor – had strong links with Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Society, which held its annual dinner last week at the Hilton Hotel in Leeds, is trying to use Constantine's legacy to boost Yorkshire's economy.

Keith Madeley, the chairman of the Yorkshire Society, told Diary:

"The Emperor Constantine was born in Nis in Serbia in 272 or 273 and was proclaimed Emperor in York in 306 when the city was called Eboracum. The Serbians are pleased to have this historical link with Yorkshire, as well as recent trade links."

There are about 8,000 Serbs living in West Yorkshire, and Mr Madeley recently made the Serbian embassy in London an honorary corporate member of the Yorkshire Society.

The Serbian 2012 Olympic team has also promised to use training facilities in Yorkshire. A delegation from Yorkshire recently visited Belgrade and Nis to speak to business and political leaders.

The Serbian ambassador, Dr Dejan Popovic, highlighted Constantine's connections with Yorkshire during a speech at the dinner, and said he hoped the stronger ties with Yorkshire would lead to increased trade opportunities and investment. So, it seems the Roman conquerors may have done us a belated good turn after all.

Backing a winner

IF you're advising clients on horse racing matters, it's always good to show that you have an understanding of all things equine.

One member of York-based law firm Langleys' Equine Law Group

has a stronger grasp of the subject than most.

Team member Serena Brotherton, who is also a jockey, has just become the overall winner of the 2009-2010 All Weather Amateur Racing Championship.

Her inside knowledge will come in very handy when she advises some of the UK's best known racecourses, owners and trainers.

Mark Roberts, the head of Langleys' Equine Law Group, said: "The equine community is becoming more regulated than ever before and many agreements are still completed on a simple handshake.

"This is leading to a large number of disputes and regulatory issues that require specialist equine legal advice."

Festive first

Summer has not even begun yet thoughts are already turning to Christmas.

Party specialist Best Parties Ever has announced its 2010 themed event, Midnight in Monte Carlo, which is open to businesses and other organisations, at Ponds Forge in Sheffield between November 26 and December 22.

Tickets include a five-course dinner accompanied by showgirl cabaret and aerial silk dancers, followed by Grand Prix simulators, a casino and dodgem cars.

Is this the first organisation to launch a 2010 Christmas party? Contact [email protected] if you know of any others.