Former BBC business correspondent and presenter Declan Curry has been named at the next as guest speaker at the quarterly M4 Business Network, which is held at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Mr Curry will be following billionaire businessman Sir Terry Matthews, who spoke at the most recent event.

Sir Terry, who owns the Celtic Manor Resort, told the gathering that promoting the Cardiff City Region – encompassing Gwent - is key to attracting new investment and jobs to South Wales.

He argued that widening Cardiff’s footprint increases its international visibility dramatically and multiplies the scale of the workforce and resources available to businesses looking for opportunities in the UK.

The tycoon who created a worldwide technology empire and brought the Ryder Cup to Wales pointed to the huge economic success enjoyed by Nanjing in China since applying its city brand to a huge surrounding region and becoming a global industrial icon.

He said the big question facing any new business should be how quickly they can expand to take their product or service to international markets.

M4 Business Network chairman and managing partner of UHY Hacker Young, Paul Byett, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sir Terry for joining us. Few other speakers in the UK could share with us such insights based on global business experience. His achievements have brought great benefits to the economy of South Wales and, with the planned development of a 4,000 capacity convention centre at the Celtic Manor, I hope they continue to do so.”

The next M4 Business Network event takes place on the November 10 with former BBC business correspondent and presenter, Declan Curry as guest speaker.

To book your place at the November event, or for further information on becoming a member of the M4 Business Network, visit www.m4businessnetwork.org or contact Paul Byett at UHY Hacker Young on 01633 213318.