VISITORS to the Echo-backed Business Works Exhibition will be able to quiz a panel of experts from a variety of fields at a question time event.

It will be chaired by PR guru Lee Peck who said: “Hosting the panel is always an exciting challenge as you never quite know what questions are going to be asked – or indeed what the answers might be! I think this year’s line-up is up there with the best and representative of both the corporate world and that of the entrepreneur. The session is always very popular and I can guarantee a lively debate!” With a career spanning more than 30 years as a journalist, broadcaster and PR professional, Lee is the perfect choice for hosting the Question Time panel – his third year running. As chairman of Lee Peck Media this rich combination provides clients with an unrivalled insight into the fast changing media landscape.

The panellists will be:

Elaine Holt, Executive Vice President Guest Experience of Carnival Cruises In 2014 Elaine joined Carnival and is responsible for all guest facing functions for both the P&O and Cunard brands. She started her career at British Airways before joining FirstGroup in 1998, working in the company’s rail and bus divisions. In 2009, Elaine was appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as Chief Executive of Directly Operated Railways, subsequently becoming chairman of East Coast Railways. In 2011 she formed her own transport consultancy and was appointed a non-executive director to Highways England in 2013.

Annaliese Hughes, Delicious Dining Marketing and business development director of the south’s largest independently-owned hospitality group, Annaliese is responsible for developing and maintaining the marketing strategies of the company’s portfolio of hotels, restaurants and casual dining outlets, while directing all PR, social media and promotional activities maximising revenues for all 14 businesses.

Rebecca Paterson, co-founder of All Star Marketing Club Rebecca Paterson is co-founder of All Star Marketing Club, the UK’s first marketing club for business owners and entrepreneurs. With a degree in marketing and previous roles as marketing director at Ordnance Survey and head of marketing at Aviva, Rebecca is passionate about enabling every business to create formidable marketing.

Simon Rhodes senior partner, Trethowans Solicitors As Trethowans’ head of employment and senior partner, Simon is a vastly experienced employment lawyer working out of the firm’s Southampton office. Simon regularly advises a wide range of employer clients including national brands and plcs. Simon has a wealth of experience across all market sectors and specialises in TUPE, restrictive covenants and discrimination issues.

Chris Rees, race director of ABP Southampton Half Marathon. Starting in business at just 18 years old, Chris developed Rees Leisure which specialises in swimming, triathlon and running. Rees Leisure brought a half marathon back to Southampton in 2015 which was a sell-out.

Tim Walker, managing director of Taylor Made Computer Solutions Tim joined Taylor Made as managing director in March 2013, having previously been involved in the business as a consultant working with the board.Prior to Taylor Made, Tim ran Iconnyx, an IT and telecoms company he set up in 2008 and successfully exited via a trade sale in 2012.

Business Works, in association with Trethowans returns to Southampton’s four-star Novotel Hotel on February 10. Now in its sixth successful year the exhibition invites businesses large and small across the region to showcase their company to a wide, influential audience.

The event will bring together exhibitors from a variety of industries to share their knowledge and inspire others whilst forging new business relationships.

Complementing the exhibition will be free advice clinics and a programme of seminars running throughout the day including keynote speakers, Elaine Holt of Carnival Cruises and Carl Churchill of NetPay, plus a speed networking event.

Visitors can register to attend for free at dailyecho.co.uk/businessworks.

All who register will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 50 pairs of tickets to see An Inspector Calls at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on April 5.