A MAJOR international business figure is the latest speaker to be announced for this year’s Women’s Business Forum.

Tim Solso, chairman and chief executive of Cummins Inc, will address delegates at the event, which has been organised by Holmfirth-based businesswoman Heather Jackson and which takes place on Thursday at Rudding Park in Harrogate.

Mr Solso has more than 40 years service with Cummins – at one stage, working in Huddersfield with Turnbridge-based subsidiary Cummins Turbo Technologies.

Cummins Inc, which has its headquarters in Indiana, USA, designs, produces and sells diesel engines, power generation equipment and related components.

Mr Solso, who retires at the end of the year, will deliver a speech on the need to address bias and promote transparency.

Mr Solso was recently appointed to President Barack Obama’s management advisory board to provide advice on how to implement best business practices on matters related to Federal Government management and operations.

At the Harrogate event, he will address an audience of 650 of the current and future generation of senior business men and women from the UK, Europe and the USA.

The event, titled It’s Time to Make a Difference, will make the statement that time has come to stop talking about why there are so few women at the top of corporate Britain – and do something practical to ensure that the most is made of female talent in the workplace.

Other speakers at the high-profile event will include Chris Sullivan, chief executive of RBS UK Corporate Banking; Allan Leighton, non-executive chairman of Pace plc; Carla Stent, chief operating officer at Virgin Management; and Kirsty Bashforth, head of organisational effectiveness at BP plc

The event is open to the current and next generation of businesswomen and men in senior executive and management positions.

Ms Jackson, founder and director of the Women’s Business Forum, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Tim has agreed to speak at this year’s Forum.

“He is one of the most respected business figures in the USA and his record with Cummins is phenomenal.

“He is incredibly passionate about gender equality and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.

“His presence shows that The Women’s Business Forum is now a truly global event.”

For more details visit www.thewomens businessforum.co.uk