Bosses in Bradford are being given a chance to pick the brains of multi-millionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson via satellite.

Bradford Breakthrough and Business Link Bradford and District have invited thousands of company chiefs to quiz the flamboyant high-flier about his successful Virgin group.

They will be among 4,500 people at 37 venues across the country taking part in the high-tech brainstorming session organised by the Department of Trade and Industry.

And they will be able to join in An Audience with Innovation via a satellite link from the BAFTA Centre in London to Bradford's Pictureville cinema.

The event on March 31 will focus on innovation and how other firms can benefit from the way Virgin companies have grown over the last 12 years.

The Master of Ceremonies in Bradford will be Jack Smith, chairman of Bradford Breakthrough. The event will also include a local discussion between a panel and the audience which will be chaired by John Watson, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

On the panel will be Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond, Brian Barghout, managing director of container producer Barplas, and Margaret Stewart, director of corporate affairs at Yorkshire Water.

John Watson said today: "People will be curious about how Richard Branson goes against current thinking on concentrating on the core business. He has business interests in cola production, airlines and financial services along with the music industry.

"He also brought his business to the Stock Market and took it back into private hands again. People will want to know why."

The event starts with a reception at the Pictureville Cinema at 4.45pm, includes an introductory video, the satellite link with Richard Branson, a local panel discussion and a question and answer session.

It ends with a buffet at 8pm.

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