A TOP business guru is set to reveal how some of the biggest companies in the country stay ahead of the pack.

Joe Dwek is to be the guest speaker at a ground-breaking business lecture series at Lancaster University management school.

Staying competitive and changing direction is the theme of his talk to take place on Thursday June 17, at 6.30pm in the management school's MBA Theatre.

Joe is a former chairman of Bodycote and well placed to talk about staying competitive because of his experiences with the firm, says entrepreneurial fellow Tricia Calway.

"During his time there he completely transformed the company. Joe is a powerful leader, a straight talker and a seasoned captain of industry. We are delighted to have him as our guest speaker," she says.

The lecture is part of the management school's Fit for Business' series, which gives small business owners and business people the chance to meet experts and academics who are active in the business world.

"Having people of Joe's calibre, who are both stimulating and exciting speakers, is one of the reasons the Fit for Business series has proved successful," says Tricia.

The talk starts at 6.30pm and will last for 90 minutes.

For more details and to book a place, call Louise Smith at Knowledgelink on 01539-539800 or e-mail louise@knowledge-link.co.uk