People in the Isle of Man will have a chance to hear first hand from one of the UK’s leading female entrepreneurs later this year.

Michelle Mone OBE, co-owner of MJM International and creator of leading lingerie brand Ultimo, will be the guest speaker on Thursday 27 October at the fourth and final event of the year organised by the IoM Sporting and Dining Club and sponsored by HSBC.

Listed as one of the UK’s top three female entrepreneurs, Michelle was recognised with an OBE last year for her contribution to the lingerie industry. Having grown up in Glasgow, Michelle had the idea for Ultimo at a dinner dance in 1996, when it dawned on her that what women wanted was a bra that was more comfortable, innovative, attractive and cleavage-enhancing then any other on the market. In November that same year, Ultimo was born. The business has gone from strength to strength with MJM International currently supplying Tesco, Debenhams, Asda, Next, Figleaves and Asos.com, along with a number of independent lingerie stores throughout Europe.

Having successfully established herself as one of Scotland’s most successful exports, Michelle won the coveted ‘World Young Business Achiever Award’ in Florida in 2000 and ‘Business Woman of the Year’ at the Corporate Elite Awards in London. In 2001 Prince Charles invited her to join the Board of Directors for The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust and more recently his Board of Main Council. Michelle also won ‘Best Newcomer’ at the British Apparel Export Awards, presented by HRH The Princess Royal. She also appeared as a contestant on Comic Relief Does the Apprentice.

The event will take place at the Mount Murray Hotel & Country Club in Santon, with dinner tickets costing £65 for members and £75 for non-members, available through the Club on 07624 495749 or email john@sportinganddiningclub.com.

In addition, funds raised through an auction to be held during the dinner will be donated to a local charity, to be selected by HSBC.

Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager at HSBC in the Isle of Man, said:

“The range of speakers during this years’ series of events organised by the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club has been exceptional and I am delighted that one of the UK’s leading business women is to feature in the final one of the year. As well as providing some inspirational guest speakers during the course of the year, I am particularly pleased that we continue to raise funds through the dinners for local charities.”

John Wannenburgh of the Sporting and Dining Club added:

“Michelle’s rise to the top of the business tree has been incredible and her thoughts on how to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace will be fascinating. As well as having supported the Sultan of Oman in setting up women’s enterprise in the Middle East, Michelle has become a high profile guest at speaking engagements around the world attending, for example, events with former US President Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev, so it is a real privilege to have her talk to us here in the Isle of Man.”