Pictured: Cricket legends Sir Vivian Richards (left) and
Rodney Hogg (right) meet Ashley Killick, company secretary and CFO
of ESH Group
West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards hit dozens of
businessmen for six when he was guest of honour at an event in
Solihull.
Solihull Sporting Club's event at St John's Hotel, Warwick Road,
saw Sir Vivian share the stage with Australian former cricket
adversary Rodney Hogg. The pair kept more than 100 guests from
across Birmingham and the West Midlands entertained with tales from
their illustrious careers.
Sir Vivian, KNH OBE, is an Antigua-born iconic sporting legend
who was voted one of the five Cricketers of the Century in 2000 by
a panel of 100 experts. He played in 121 Test Matches for the West
Indies, nearly 200 one-day Internationals and helped his country to
win the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975 and again four years
later. He is also the only West Indies captain never to have lost a
Test Series. He led the team for seven years.
The big-hitting batsman was joined in Solihull by former
Australian cricket adversary Rodney Hogg. Capped 38 times in Test
matches and over 70 one-day internationals as a fiery fast bowler,
"Hoggie" is now well known as a corporate speaker, presenter and
commentator.
The event was hosted by former England rugby player David
Duckham MBE, honorary president of the Wooden Spoon charity. Wooden
Spoon, the charity of British and Irish rugby union, each year
donates tens of thousands of pounds to help disabled and
disadvantaged young people throughout the UK. He was joined by
Wooden Spoon's West Midlands regional chairman Phil Pemble, of
employment experts Pertemps People Development Group who are big
supporters of the charity.
Phil said: "It was fabulous to hear some of the highlights of
Sir Vivian's career and Hoggie's take on some of their battles on
the cricket pitch. These events are always very well supported and
once again the support for Wooden Spoon is very encouraging."
Comedian John Stiles added to the entertainment. Forever saddled
with the burden of being the son of a famous father - football
legend Nobby Stiles MBE - John also played professional football,
principally with Leeds United, for five years. He eventually turned
to the world of comedy where he has since established himself as
one of the most popular and amusing raconteurs on the
circuit.
For more information about Pertemps People Development Group,
please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk