Two firm which have invested millions in Gloucestershire, and a man who can see into the future, are to join forces to help connect businesses this month.

Adam Starkey, chief executive officer of Green Gourmet and vice chairman of GFirst LEP, will take centre stage at the forthcoming event along with Nick Howell, engineering improvement manager at Lucozade Ribena Suntory.

Laura Hurcombe, business planning manager at Coleford-based SPP Pumps will also be joining them at the top of the bill at the business breakfast event at Gloucestershire College's recently opened multi-million-pound Forest of Dean campus.

Sponsored by this very news website and its bi-monthly magazine, Punchline-Gloucester.com, the event will aim to inspire and connect other companies, and give them a chance to understand how the college can assist with apprenticeships and training to help them grow.

"Anyone who has heard Adam Starkey speak before will know they are in for an entertaining and thought-provoking turn as he looks at how businesses might evolve and what they need to prepare for," said Mark Owen, the editor of Punchline.

"And to have two of the Forest of Dean's biggest employers involved as well is really exciting. SPP Pumps employs 250 staff in the district and turns over something like £70 million.

"Lucozade Ribena Suntory employs 330 staff in Gloucestershire and recently invested £13 million in its Coleford factory. Both are champions of apprenticeships and both international businesses.

"The aim is to bring businesses in the Forest together. We think the event should offer plenty to learn and there should be plenty of new faces to meet too."

Mr Howell will speak about how one of the UK's leading soft drinks manufacturers works, what its recent investment in the factory means and the importance of apprentices in the work place.

Ms Hurcombe will discuss growing and retaining talent with apprenticeships.

There will be a full-English breakfast for delegates in the college's new restaurant, The View, and the opportunity to meet the institution's Business Hub team on a one-to-one bases to get advice on training and apprentices, including information about funding.

The event is due to take place on Thursday, March 28, from 9am to 11.15am, at Gloucestershire College, Forest of Dean Campus, Northern United Way, Cinderford, GL14 3FF (for sat nav use GL14 2YT).

To find out more visit Forest-business-breakfast.eventbrite.co.uk .