Robert Peston is guest speaker at Business Breakfast
On Friday 26th June, 235 businessmen and women gathered at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel for WJR's annual Business Breakfast to hear guest speaker Robert Peston -- the BBC's award winning Business Editor - discuss the current economic climate and political turmoil.
The event raised a remarkable £105,000 for WJR projects and was generously sponsored by Stenham. Raffle prizes included two return Business Class tickets to Tel Aviv, donated by BMI airlines.
Robert Peston joined the BBC in 2005 and secured his position as a household name following his exclusive scoop on the Northern Rock disaster in 2007. Since then, Peston has continued to provide informative and colourful reporting on the financial crisis and is today renowned for his acute understanding of the economic climate. Peston's illustrious career - spanning key roles including Financial Editor of the Financial Times and City Editor of the Daily Telegraph - has earned him accolades including the Royal Television Society's awards for Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year and Scoop of the Year for 2008.
Addressing WJR's guests, Mr. Peston explained his latest analysis of the current economic situation, insisting that Britain must learn from its mistakes and that our leaders must avoid burying their heads in the sand. Mr. Peston expressed his concerns about some of the more pervasive financial regulations in the UK which have allowed Britain to narrowly avoid a depression, explaining that this has allowed for an element of relief which could lead to a level of complacency. Mr. Peston commented: "We have got through this but we have to make changes. We have avoided depression by the skin of our teeth, we cannot ignore this problem."
Peston continued by commenting on the continuing importance of WJR:
"In 2007, £1.2 trillion was invested into helping poorer countries. In two years, this figure has dropped to £350 billion. I am very impressed with the work that is carried out by WJR and with the current pressures on the global economy; it becomes even more necessary and important that WJR can continue helping those less fortunate."
Nigel Layton -Chairman of WJR - said:
"It is fantastic to see the room full with people - your attendance today is hugely appreciated and even more important to us than ever before. The money raised from this event will enable us to continue to provide for the neediest of our fellow Jews around the world."
Laurence Gergel, Chairman of the Business Breakfast committee, continued
"I am very proud to volunteer for WJR -- a charity that literally changes lives. This event is the second biggest in WJR's calendar and it is a real coup to have Robert Peston here today -- we are very grateful for his support."
