John Cridland, Andrew Adonis and international speaker join line-up at FSB Policy Conference
Event Date: Tuesday 02 February 2016
John Cridland, Andrew Adonis and international speaker join line-up at FSB Policy Conference
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is excited to announce an impressive line-up of top speakers for its upcoming Policy Conference on Tuesday 02 February 2016 which is being held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE.
Building on the tremendous success of FSB’s first such event in 2014, FSB’s 2016 Policy Conference – ‘Small Business 2020: inspiring growth, innovation and ambition’ – will bring together senior politicians, business leaders, policymakers and FSB members from across the UK to set the small business policy agenda for the future.
With no less than three Cabinet Ministers down to attend over the course of the day, the Conference will provide an unrivalled opportunity to discuss the many challenges and opportunities ahead of firms looking to 2020 and beyond.
John Cridland will take part in one of his first events since completing his term as CBI Director-General and his appointment to Chair Transport for the North.
Lord Adonis will give his first small business address as National Infrastructure Commission Chair, with Sir David Higgins setting out HS2’s plans for small firms.
Google’s Head of Innovation and Creativity will be flying in from the US especially for the Conference to provide a global perspective.
Hosted by award winning BBC Breakfast business presenter, Steph McGovern, the conference line-up of leading business figures includes:
• John Cridland CBE, Transport for the North and former Director General of the CBI
• Lord Adonis, Chairman, National Infrastructure Commission
• Sir David Higgins, Chairman, High Speed 2
• Dr Frederik Pferdt, Head of Innovation & Creativity Programs, Google
• Ron Emerson, Chairman, British Business Bank
• Alex Chisholm, Chief Executive, Competition and Markets Authority
• Claudia Harris, Chief Executive, Careers and Enterprise Company
• Julie Deane, Founder of the Cambridge Satchel Company
• Sir Brendan Barber, Chairman, ACAS
• John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive, Heathrow Airport
• David Halpern, Chief Executive, The Behavioural Insights Team, formerly the “Nudge Unit” in 10 Downing Street
• Lord Haskins, Chair, Humber Local Enterprise Partnership
• Edward Twiddy , Chief Innovations Officer, Atom Bank
• Irene Graham, Chief Executive, Scale-up Institute
The conference will include three high level sessions which will focus on: rebalancing the UK economy, securing a high-growth global future for small businesses, and growing tomorrow’s entrepreneurs to deliver innovation and competition.
Mike Cherry, FSB National Policy Director, said: “FSB can now reveal the impressive line up of speakers who will be participating in our 2016 Policy Conference. The high-quality of speakers and attendees demonstrates the growing recognition of the importance of small businesses and the vital role they play in our economy. This conference will help to shape the policy agenda for business and make clear what priorities our members want policymakers to focus on over the coming years.”
Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, Cabinet Member and Minister for Small Business and Industry, said: “The FSB Policy Conference provides a great opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to the small businesses across the country. The FSB and its members have a vital role to play in driving growth and creating jobs.”
Dr Frederik Pferdt, Head of Innovation & Creativity Programs, said: “I am delighted to be speaking at this landmark event in the small business calendar. For small businesses to grow, they need to be creative with technology playing a crucial role. I look forward to sharing some of the latest ideas that will help small businesses to realise the potential of technology as a growth engine.”
Attendance is by invitation only. If you would like to attend please contact the FSB press office: press@fsb.org.uk