HOLLYWOOD star George Clooney has been unveiled at the keynote speaker at this year's Scottish Business Awards.

The award-winning actor will address around 2,000 people from the Scottish business community at Edinburgh's EICC on 12 November,

The event, which is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland, has earned a reputation for bringing some of the world's most famous names to Scotland with Sir Richard Branson and former US President Bill Clinton among recent speakers.

Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of the Scottish Business Awards judging panel, said: "The Scottish Business Awards are the ultimate celebration of Scotland's entrepreneurial talent bringing together the brightest and the best of our businesses.

"The great news this year is we've squared the circle with a large portion of funds raised going straight back to supporting the next generation of high growth businesses with a donation to scotedge.com as well as a fantastic social business, Social Bite and Not On Our Watch.

"George Clooney should be fascinating and insightful on the business of Hollywood and of course his philanthropic endeavours."

Clooney's appearance will help raise funds for Not On Our Watch, the charity he founded with Hollywood friends Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, as well as two Scottish causes - Scotedge which supports high growth start-ups and Social Bite, the social enterprise chain of sandwich shops founded by event organiser, Josh Littlejohn.

Mr Littlejohn said: "This event is already a major fixture of the Scottish business calendar but George Clooney's address will take its profile through the roof, which is especially pleasing as 100% of profits from the event will go to charity.

"As well as celebrating Scottish business success, it's about demonstrating the power we as a business community have to affect impactful social change and we are grateful to the Royal Bank of Scotland for supporting the event."

Ken Barclay, Chairman, Scotland at RBS said: "The Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to be working again with entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn to support the Scottish Business Awards.

"This is the third time RBS has supported the awards and we congratulate Josh for once again securing such a high profile speaker. It is absolutely incredible that year after year Josh is able to persuade some of the world's best known faces to shine a light on the very best of Scottish business."

John Prendergast, former White House Official and Not On Our Watch board member, added: "Not On Our Watch and our board member George Clooney are honoured to be partnered with the Scottish Business Awards for this prestigious event.

"We hope to raise further awareness about the important impact charitable donations can have in making a difference in the world."