IT IS a vital part of doing business, yet the thought of public speaking fills many people with dread.

Get it right and you will grab the attention of the entire room, get it wrong and you're at risk of sending delegates in the back row to sleep.

Now, professionals from across the Humber are invited to master the art of public speaking at a half-day event in Hull.

Organised by the East Yorkshire and Humber Institute Of Directors (IoD), the Public Speaking Masterclass is being delivered by broadcast journalist Blair Jacobs and takes place on February 27, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Mr Jacobs, who has been broadcasting for more than two decades, said his aim was to enable business people to use their most effective tool to boost their business – themselves.

He said: "Communication is such a vital part of doing business, yet so many people are frightened of doing it because they are scared of getting it wrong.

"I want to show them there is no right and wrong way, just different ways of getting the best out of yourself."

The event is one of a series of masterclasses being delivered by the IoD, each of which aims to provide practical advice from industry insiders who know how to start, develop and grow a business.

Devised in consultation with IoD members, they will focus on areas including communication, employee engagement and marketing.

On March 27, WedgeWelly founder Sarah Longthorn will deliver a masterclass entitled Insight.

It will offer an enlightening view into the success of WedgeWelly, exploring how three people from Hull managed to transform an idea into a business that has taken the fashion and festival world by storm.

Then in September, Sewell Group will open the doors to the Sewell Studio in Geneva Way for an event that focuses on employee engagement.

Exploring how Sewell Group officially became one of the best companies in the UK to work for, the masterclass will offer an insight into how the Hull-based company has, for the past three years, earned a place in the coveted Times Top 100 Companies list.

All of the masterclasses are being sponsored by Grant Thornton.

The first two take place at Rollits in Wilberforce Court, Hull, while the Sewell event takes place at Sewell Studio.

The events are free to attend for IoD members or £25 for non-members.

Richard Tuplin, the chair of East Yorkshire And Humber IoD, said: "Business needs to continue investing in its people no matter how difficult times are.

"It is only by keeping their own skills up to date that they will flourish and be able to take advantage of the opportunities in the future."