Leighton the key speaker at business forum

Mr Leighton was recently appointed as non-executive chairman of Saltaire-based Pace, which issued a shock profits warning in May.

Mr Leighton will address this year’s Women’s Business Forum, which takes place on Thursday, September 29 at Rudding Park in Harrogate.

He will deliver a speech in which he will examine why the corporate world needs “sprinters and endurance runners”.

He will be joined on the speakers’ platform by Kirsty Bashforth, the head of organisational effectiveness at BP.

The event, which is expected to attract 650 business leaders, will discuss ways of ensuring more women get to the top in business.

Chris Sullivan, the chief executive of RBS UK Corporate Banking, and Carla Stent, the chief operating officer at Virgin Management, have already confirmed they will speak at the forum.

Mr Leighton is probably best known for transforming the fortunes of Asda in the 1990s.

In 1999 he oversaw the sale of Asda to US giant Wal-Mart for £6.2bn.

In 2002, he was appointed by former Prime Minister Tony Blair to turn around the loss-making Royal Mail.

He stepped down from this role in March 2009, making him the Royal Mail’s longest serving chairman.

Mr Leighton said yesterday: “The necessity for a balanced leadership team is a subject that urgently needs tackling as it is a key driver for enhancing overall business performance.

“As the most significant forum on the issue of women on boards in the UK, this is the ideal platform for me to highlight the importance of having different types of people in the corporate world.”

Heather Jackson, the founder and director of the Women’s Business Forum, said: “The calibre of speakers at this year’s event reflects the support and interest from the very top of corporate Britain.

“I am delighted both Allan and Kirsty will be able to share their respective insight on the issue.”

For more details about the forum visit www.thewomensbusinessforum.co. uk