The second keynote speaker at the British Franchise Association (BFA) annual conference has been confirmed as former BBC director-general, Greg Dyke.
Dyke, who runs several businesses of his own, including three golf clubs and a hotel in Sheffield, joins political editor Nick Robinson at what will be the sectors’s largest annual conference to date. The event takes place on July 4-5, at Senate House, London.
Brian Smart, director-general of the BFA, commented: “With Greg joining Nick Robinson as one of our keynote speakers, the scope and importance of this year’s franchise conference is confirmed. This is now a must-attend event for everyone in the franchise community.”
After an early career as a journalist, Dyke started his broadcasting career in 1977 at London Weekend Television, where he would later return as group chief executive after senior positions with TV-am, TVS and Pearson Television.
He guided the launch consortium of Channel 5, later becoming its chairman, and has had spells as a director with Channel Four, ITN and BSkyB. He was also a non-executive director of Manchester United football club in the late 1990s.
In his four years with the BBC from 2000-2004, he had a significant impact on the corporation. He started four new digital television channels; five new digital radio channels; opened two new BBC regions; launched the BBC’s interactive television services; and helped create Freeview, a new free-to-air digital platform.
He also made major commitments to expand the BBC’s education services and to improve the cultural diversity of the workforce.
In March 2008 he succeeded the late Anthony Mingella as chairman of the British Film Institute and in December 2009, became chairman of ATG, Britain’s largest theatre group.
He was also an advisor on leadership to the NHS, and had his autobiography, Inside Story, published in 2004.
The conference provides delegates with a comprehensive agenda aimed at both new and established franchisors, as well as BFA affiliate members. Main theatre sessions are interspersed with a choice of smaller, more focused workshops, and plentiful time in which to network with colleagues.
The evening of day one of the conference, also sees the announcement of the BFA/HSBC Franchisor of the Year award winners at a black-tie gala dinner.