THE founder of one the country’s fastest growing beer brands will present an annual enterprise lecture next week.

Lord Bilimoria, the chairman of Cobra Beer, is the guest speaker of Durham University’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning. He will deliver the Durham University Enterprise Lecture 2009, at the Radisson SAS Hotel, on Framwelgate Waterside, Durham, next Thursday.

Karan Bilimoria was appointed Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea in 2006, he was previously made a Commander of the British Empire, and last year was awarded the Pravasi Bharti Samman, by the President of India. His formal presentation will last about 40 minutes with a further half-hour for questions from the floor. An audience of approximately 150, from all sectors of commerce, industry and academia, is expected to attend.

VALUE BOOST: Northern Foods yesterday said about a fifth of annual sales were coming from goods aimed at cash-strapped shoppers as the firm steers a path through recession. The Goodfella’s pizza and Fox’s biscuits maker, which also owns the Dalepak factory in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, has introduced new value ranges for discounters such as Poundland to sit alongside its main premium business.

Chief executive Stefan Barden said the firm had “successfully adapted” to the tough environment with a resilient performance, which saw annual profits drop five per cent to £47.5m – still ahead of City expectations.

DOUBLE APPOINTMENT: Skipton Financial Services has made two new appointments. Stephen Chapman has been named as the new regional sales manager, and joins the firm with more than 19 years’ experience in financial services from Legal and General. Andrew Payne has been appointed as the whole of market financial advisor for Skipton Financial Services for Scarborough.

Skipton Financial Services is a division of Skipton Building Society, which completed its merger with Scarborough Building Society at the end of March.