Nick Clegg the keynote speaker at excellence awards

The South Yorkshire MP is the latest heavyweight politician to speak at the awards ceremony.

Last year’s speaker was Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, who followed Ed Balls, when Education Secretary, and David Cameron, who appeared while Leader of the Opposition.

The shortlist will be announced in mid September, with the winners announced at the ceremony on October 13.

Mr Clegg has attracted controversy for some of his policies over the last year but there is little doubt that the Liberal Democrat leader is a pivotal figure in UK politics.

He is crucial to the success of the coalition Government, which is trying to reduce a major budget deficit against a faltering national and international economy.

Mr Clegg, 44, was a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 before being elected Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam in 2005.

He is expected to tell the awards ceremony audience of leading industrialists and professionals how Government policies can help the Yorkshire economy.

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