IDS to headline Excellence in Business Awards

The former leader of the Conservative Party is leading the Government’s efforts to reform the welfare state and get more people back into work.

The annual awards celebration regularly attracts the biggest names in politics and industry.

The awards recognise the individual contributions made by leading figures such as retail giants Sir Ken Morrison and Sir Stuart Rose, RBS troubleshooter Stephen Hester and Yorkshire ice cream entrepreneur James Lambert.

Past speakers include David Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg, Vince Cable and Ed Balls.

This year’s speaker Iain Duncan Smith was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 2001.

After stepping down in 2003, he set up the Centre for Social Justice, an independent think tank committed to tackling poverty and social breakdown.

He worked as chairman of the CSJ until the 2010 general election, when he was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

The annual awards are now open for entries.

Our headline sponsors are DLA Piper, Goldman Sachs, PwC and Yorkshire Bank.

Our associate sponsors are Bradford University School of Management, Drax, Elevation Recruitment, QBE Insurance, Plusnet and thebigword.