PRESENTATIONS by some of the region’s top business brains will feature at a Hampshire Chamber of Commerce conference.

James Cooper, boss of Southampton docks and chief executive of Associated British Ports, will be joining Sarah Brooks, a director of The Yes Yes Company, and Paul Thomas, managing director of telemarketing agency Market Makers at the Talking Business Conference to share tips and give advice.

The conference will also includes exhibitions, the chance to network and a sessions with a panel of experts, who will debate the topical issues facing companies in Hampshire.

Mr Cooper’s responsibilities include the operations of Southampton docks and 20 other major ports across the country. He was formerly co-head of UK corporate finance at BNP Paribas.

Mrs Brooks is director of the Petersfield-based company, which this year won the Baker Tilly customer service award at the South Coast Business Awards. Market Makers is the only telemarketing firm listed in the Times’ ‘top 100 companies to work for’.

Maureen Frost, deputy chief executive of the chamber of commerce, said: “Our annual conference is becoming a real ‘go-to’ event on the calendar for the business community.

“It’s a chance to come and be inspired and enthused and take some ideas back to your business.

“It’s also an ideal opportunity for people to network and build contacts.”

The conference takes place today at British American Tobacco, Regents Park Road, Southampton.

To book call 01329 242420 or email events.south@hampshirechamber.co.uk.