Business people from across Worcestershire heard Michael Portillo’s view of politics and business in a post-Brexit world at Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ entrepreneurs dinner held at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
The annual event drew 150 guests from a wide range of businesses and sectors, including Morgan Motors, Westons Cider, Speller Metcalfe, St Richard’s Hospice and representatives of Worcestershire LEP and Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce.
The former Defence Secretary and Secretary of State for Employment traced Brexit back to its roots in the election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister in 1979, a campaign in which he was closely involved.
Rod Thomas, the firm’s managing partner, who welcomed guests to the event, said: “This was a marvellous opportunity to hear about politics and business from someone on the inside track for many years; it was both fascinating and engaging, and our guests clearly really appreciated his insights.”
Robert Capper, head of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ commercial department, who introduced Mr Portillo and ran the question and answer session with him, said: “Michael spoke about Brexit for about 45 minutes and then took questions, covering everything from politics to trains and to television. Our guests were delighted to have the opportunity to hear him speak and to ask him questions.”
The dinner is an annual event hosted by the firm as a thank you to clients for their support over the previous year and to look forward to the coming year.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys has 400 staff and partners based at offices in Worcester, Hereford, Cheltenham, the Wye Valley, Birmingham and the Thames Valley, who provide a complete spectrum of legal services to both business and private clients, regionally and nationwide.
The firm also has a number of highly successful teams specialising in individual market sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health and social care, education, agricultural and rural affairs, defence, security and the forces, and construction.