Richard Caborn has been lined up as the keynote speaker for the Sheffield City Region’s biggest networking trade show.

The Sheffield business and industry ambassador will outline prospects for business in 2016, from devolution to development, at SheffEX, which is taking place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Monday 7 December.

Mr Caborn will be speaking at the Future Of Sheffield Business Conference – a new half-day conference being run as part of the fourth bi-annual SheffEX.

The event will also include a new More Business Better Business Convention – an afternoon of inspiring talks from leading experts who will give businesses fresh ideas to improve productivity and profits. It will be followed by a drinks reception.

Mr Caborn, who is also project lead for Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park, said: “The Future Of Sheffield Business Conference at SheffEX will be an opportunity to engage with local businesses on some of the most important topics that will affect the region during 2016.

“Following the Chancellor George Osborne’s recent announcement that the Sheffield City Region will get devolved powers and additional funding, 2016 will be an important year that could transform how the public and private sector works together in future.”

SheffEX, which takes place twice a year, is the region’s biggest business to business trade show. It features more than 100 exhibitors and trade stands and is attended by around 1,000 delegates.

Organiser Tony Carroll said: “We have expanded our trade show this year to support and inspire Sheffield City Region business.

“To have Richard Caborn speaking at the event is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to gain important insight the city’s 2016 business agenda from a man who knows Sheffield more than most.

“Having first launched in June 2014, SheffEX has become the place where local business and industry gets together to make new contacts, opportunities and deals. It’s free to attend, with a range of activities.

“The cost of exhibiting has been kept low so that any type and size of company or organisation can have the opportunity to show themselves off to the Sheffield City Region.”