The dynamic entreprenenur will be addressing attendees at the inaugural BT Small Business and Franchise Show being held in the King’s Hall, Belfast on November 14 and 15.

He will be joined by a former Dragon and the founder of global franchise YO! Sushi, Simon Woodroffe, and the man behind the O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars, Brody Sweeney.

All three will be part of the most significant business event in Northern Ireland in years, attracting around 5,000 businessmen and women at a time when the rules of the current commercial and economic landscape are being re-written daily.

Liam O’Brien, managing director of BT Business, is putting the global communications giant squarely behind the SME market.

“It has almost become a cliché to say that small business is the backbone of any economy but that assertion is self-evident as we all steer a course through challenging economic times,” he said.

“The Small Business and Franchise Show puts SMEs centre stage, offering new ideas, strong advice, innovative solutions and an abundance of straight talking to help small and medium-sized companies.

“At BT, we are delighted to be involved and hope that Northern Ireland’s company owners, managers and would-be entrepreneurs come along and make the most of what’s on offer.

“The calibre of the main speakers alone sends a strong signal of how serious and compelling an event this is for businesses.”

Peter Jones will hold a Q&A session with visitors to the show and Simon Woodroffe and Brody Sweeney will deliver business master-classes – describing their path to success – complete with the highs and the lows.

There will also be a business start-up clinic sponsored and run by Invest Northern Ireland and a zone dedicated to vehicle and fleet management.

Claire Herron, from Invest NI’s entrepreneurship development team, said:

“This event is a positive move by the private sector to support the creation and growth of the type of small business ventures that add value to the local economy.

“At the show, Invest NI will provide advice and direction to individuals thinking about establishing a business as well as those who are seeking support for newly-established enterprises.”

Other major sponsors include Bank of Ireland, Ulster Television, bmi and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Event organiser Stephen McLarnon said: “These shows have been run successfully in Dublin and Cork and we believe the Belfast event will be a huge attraction for businesses the length and breadth of Northern Ireland.

“There is a top-class line-up of speakers and believe companies with questions will find answers at the Small Business and Franchise Show.”