Footballís coming to CIPD conference

CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, 22-24 October 2003, Harrogate International Exhibition Centre

Two of the most charismatic figures in football have been signed up by a body not known for its ball skills.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - experts in people management - have secured England manager Sven-Gran Eriksson to share his management secrets at its annual conference next month, as well as Karren Brady, the high-profile managing director of Birmingham City Football Club.

Although there wonít be a strip in sight, Eriksson and Brady are expected to attract capacity audiences. Eriksson will discuss how to get the best out of people, and Brady will discuss an issue that has dogged her every move since she became the youngest female managing director of a publicly-listed company when Birmingham City was launched on the Stock Exchange six years ago: whether the UK is serious about developing women leaders.
Memorably refused entry to another clubís directorsí suite in her early days at Birmingham, which she had taken over from liquidation a decade ago, Brady has upped the turnover from 1 million to more than ten times that, and average gates have almost quadrupled.

Now in her mid-30s, she believes her business record speaks for itself and for her credibility. But, as she has told interviewers, she has had to struggle to counter the stereotype of ìhard bitchî because she has succeeded in such a male-dominated world.

Brady will share the CIPD discussion platform on Developing Women Leaders: Are We Serious? with Nick Clarke, presenter of BBC Radio 4ís World at One, Susan Vinnicombe, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Diversity Management at Cranfield School of Management, and Jean Tomlin, group director of human resources with Marks & Spencer.

Eriksson will be interviewed by Ren Carayol, chief executive of Business Consultancy. The galaxy of well-known speakers at this not-to-be-missed event includes the academic Professor Susan Greenfield, the mountaineer Bear Grylls and the businessman Sir Adrian Cadbury. Their themes range across managing in a crisis, toxic emotions at work, how to manage the media and work-life balance.