Belfast-based management development and events company Podiem has teamed up with the Ulster Business School and Ulster Sports Academy to launch a unique series of business and management conferences, targeted at business leaders and managers from across Northern Ireland.

The series will kick-off on Wednesday 26 May with conference at the 3G Arena, University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

The event - Raise Your Game: Management & Leadership Lessons from Sport – is sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland and Grafton Recruitment and will feature an impressive line up of sporting legends.

Delegates attending the conference will hear from champion jockey Dr Richard Dunwoody MBE, Former Ireland cricket coach Adi Birrell, world-champion water skier Janet Gray MBE, Tyrone GAA coach Mickey Harte and Commercial Director of Wembley Stadium Jonathan Gregory.

Dr Nigel Dobson, co-director of the Ulster Sports Academy, said: “The purpose of the Raise Your Game series mirrors our key focuses with our athletes at the Academy – to develop leadership, management and teamwork skills in order to success and come out on top.

“We are constantly establishing links in the business community and have been developing management and leadership in sport through the MSc in Sports Management with the Ulster Business School. It seems only fitting, therefore, that we should partner with Podiem and the Ulster Business School to roll-out this series, which launches at our high performance centre and world-class 3G Arena.”

Kevin Kelly, Podiem co-director, said: “As businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland continue to feel the bite of the recession, we wanted to bring them new, innovative ways to help them raise their game and succeed in their marketplace, which is why we came up with the Raise Your Game concept.

“The characteristics that drive winners in business and sport are very similar and it seems only natural that the two go together.”

Liz Torrans, Strategic Account Director with sponsors Grafton Employment Group said: “Northern Ireland has always punched above its weight in terms of sport and has produced some of the world’s greatest sporting talent. Through the Raise Your Game event, we want to show local managers and leaders that they can do the same in business.”

Oonagh Hinds from Invest NI, said: “The Raise Your Game event is an excellent opportunity for local companies to learn ways of enhancing their management and leadership capabilities. By applying these skills in business, companies can help support themselves towards sustainable growth and success in the marketplace.”

For more information on the conference visit www.podiem.com/RaiseYourGame