The former chief executive of world-famous football club Manchester United will open the World Travel Market London 2015 when it kicks off on 2 November.

The event, which is among the biggest in the global travel industry calendar, is expected to attract 5,000 exhibitors and 9,000 buyers during its run from 2-5 November, with a total of more than 50,000 travel professionals expected to attend.

David Gill, who joined Manchester United as finance director in 1997, helped the Red Devils become one of the richest football clubs in the world, while presiding over a period of unprecedented success of the football pitch. He stepped down as United chief executive in 2013, but remains a non-exec director.

Gill will open World Travel Market London 2015 at the WTM Leaders Lunch, which will host 200 of the industry’s most senior executives.

Last year’s event guest speaker was retail legend Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury’s, and in 2013, former Marks & Spencer chair and CEO Sir Stuart Rose took to the stage.

During this year’s lunch, BBC presenter Stephen Sackur will interview Gill about his career in the football business as well as his previous careers within Travel, offering the senior travel industry audience inspiration and practical business insight.

“I am delighted David Gill has agreed to open World Travel Market London 2015,” said World Travel Market senior director Simon Press.

“Such a successful and well-known businessman, Gill’s knowledge of International business will no doubt offer transferable knowledge to the senior industry leaders of global travel brands sat in the room before him.”