TV ‘dragon’ Duncan Bannatyne will open the Financial Services Expo (FSE) on 1 October 2013.

Bannatyne (pictured) will be opening the show in his capacity as Business Ambassador for WellChild, the chosen charity of FSE which takes place on 1-2 October at Old Billingsgate.

WellChild is the national charity for sick children providing essential practical and emotional support for seriously ill children, young people and those who care for them across the UK to ensure they receive the best possible quality of care.

Bannatyne has been Business Ambassador for WellChild since 2008 supporting the charity by attending the WellChild Awards as well as single-handedly funding a WellChild Children’s Nurse.

He is most famous for his role as a ‘dragon’ business angel on Dragons’ Den and has business interests which include health clubs, hotels, media, TV, stage schools, property and transport.

Bannatyne will be signing copies of his new book, Riding the Storm, at FSE 2013 on the day.

James Prosser, FSE director of Financial Services Expo, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, Duncan Bannatyne, opening the exhibition next week in his capacity as Business Ambassador for our chosen charity, WellChild.

“This is a brand new exhibition for the financial services community in the UK and we wanted to ensure we supported an amazing charity which does an incredible amount of good work helping sick children and young people, whilst supporting the people who care for them. Duncan has kindly agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to open the show on Tuesday 1st October at 9am and we hope as many people as possible will be there to see him do this.

“I’m sure he will have a few words of business wisdom for our visitors and exhibitors and we hope his appearance will ensure all attendees can dig deep to help and support WellChild.”