Described by a US magazine as 'one of...

Described by a US magazine as 'one of the ten most electrifying speakers in North America', Patricia Fripp will bring her award-winning style of delivery to the AIRMIC Conference this June. Patricia Fripp, who became the first female president of the US National Speakers Association (NSA) in 1984, has created something of a legend with her memorable business-orientated presentations. Risk managers attending the conference in Manchester (June 16-18) can expect some plain speaking when she provides them with strategic advice for career success.

Much of that advice will be linked to improving personal communication – helping to get the message over to the right people in the right way – since Patricia Fripp is a world expert in the field. An author, speech coach, sales trainer and the winner of every class of award given by the NSA, she is always innovative and often surprising – her brother is a renowned guitarist with rock group King Crimson.

Another guest speaker at the conference with an already memorable voice and face will be Kate Adie. As the BBC's chief news correspondent, she is a familiar sight on TV. Her views on managing risks should broaden the scope of most risk managers' knowledge

Broad awareness of risk and how to manage its various forms is key to this year's conference theme – 'Risk Management: the pursuit of excellence' – whether the risks faced are in the commercial areas covered by keynote speaker Lord Marshall, chairman of British Airways, or in the public sector, covered by plenary speaker David Veness, assistant commissioner responsible for specialist operations of the Metropolitan Police.

Terrorism risks will naturally be covered within a conference programme offering one of the broadest-ever range of topics. There will also be lectures on integrated health management, travel industry concerns, business ethics and the future of European insurance.

The full conference programme and delegate booking forms are available from AIRMIC.