Keynote speaker at the 13th Yorkshire International Business Convention was former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard.

But it was Aussie stunner Elle – dubbed 'The Body' – who grabbed the spotlight during the morning session of the day-long event.

The model, actress and mum of two is now a successful businesswoman, having capitalised on her name and image with the launch of fashion lingerie brand Elle Macpherson Intimates.

London-based Elle, who is also European Ambassador for Red, a charity supporting the fight against global poverty and disease, took to the stage in a smart two-piece trouser suit over a pink blouse and high heeled stiletto shoes.

She told the audience of around 1,200 business delegates "my knickers have literally changed my life".

She said her mother had told her "make sure you wear clean underwear in case you get hit by a bus."

She said she was given a bra and knicker set by her mum before she was really mature enough to wear it "and my love of fashion and lingerie started right there and then".

Yesterday's event, at Harrogate's Yorkshire Event Centre, also featured former World Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman who, for a younger generation, has become the face of the 'Lean Mean Grilling Machine' that bears his name.

The event was opened by satirist and impressionist Rory Bremner and other speakers included former soldier turned documentary film maker, Ken Hames, and Richard Reed, co-founder of innocent drinks, the no1 smoothie brand in the UK.

Event organiser, Yorkshire businessman Mike Firth, said he was delighted with the line up of speakers which had given this year's convention an Aussie flavour.

Of his keynote speaker, he said: "John Howard's forthright style qualifies him as an honorary Yorkshireman and his global approach to leadership raised his country's profile on the world stage