TOP stadium designer and after-dinner speaker Paul Fletcher will be the main guest speaker at this year’s Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Mr Fletcher, who played 400 times for Burnley FC and is now the chief executive of the club, has agreed to entertain Bolton’s business elite at this year’s event.

The awards are one of the most prestigious events on the local business calendar and this year, the grand ceremony will be held at the De Vere Whites hotel on Thursday, June 10.

A knee injury ended his playing career but Paul is now one of the leading stadium experts in the country, was managing director of the developers behind the Reebok Stadium, was involved in the Wembley Stadium development.

Last year’s winner of the Business Person of the Year was Subhash Kotecha.

He and his wife, Geeta, have interests in university education, restaurants as well as business links in India.

Along with his wife, Mr Kotecha is best known for operating the two Spice Valley restaurants at The Valley in Bolton and on Lee Lane in Horwich, as well as the recently opened vegetarian takeaway/restaurant in Deane Road.

He said: “Winning Business Person of the Year does help raise your profile and many people have commented on me winning the trophy.”