Apprentice star will be joined in Manchester by Aon chief Greg Case and explorer Ed Stafford

Lord Alan Sugar heads the keynote speakers at this year’s Biba conference in Manchester. The businessman and star of BBC’s The Apprentice will close the two-day conference, which is being held at the Manchester Central conference centre on 11 and 12 May.

Other speakers include Aon president and chief executive Aon Greg Case and explorer Ed Stafford – the first man to walk the length of the Amazon.

A panel of speakers, including Towergate’s Andy Homer, Bluefin’s Stuart Reid, Willis’s Brendan McManus and Biba’s Steve White, will also debate the changes to regulation, chaired by publisher, writer and broadcaster Andrew Neil.

Biba chief executive Eric Galbraith said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce such an interesting line up of top-level speakers. Despite these difficult economic times, Biba and its sponsors and exhibitors are continuing to invest in the event, showcasing the value general insurance brings to the UK economy.”

Sugar is the latest in series of high-profile names to speak at the annual Biba conference. Last year, Ghurka rights campaigner and former Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley spoke at the conference. In 2009, American environmental campaigner Erin Brockovich gave a speech.