EEF has announced that Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, will be speaking at the National Manufacturing Conference in London, 24th February next year.
Javid will deliver a major address to the manufacturing sector.
The flagship annual event, sponsored by asset finance provider, Lombard, brings together leading politicians, senior industrialists and manufacturing companies from across the UK to discuss the critical challenges ahead for industry.
Key themes for 2016 include cracking Britain’s productivity puzzle, unlocking the global trade challenge and the UK’s future in the EU. As a keynote speaker, Mr Javid will help to set the scene and spark debate.
Other high-profile speakers confirmed for the event include Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Vice Chair of West Ham Football Club and a familiar face from The Apprentice, and Martin Wolf CBE, chief economics commentator at The Financial Times
The conference will be chaired by broadcaster Steph McGovern, a former engineer herself.
Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, said: “This will be the first opportunity since his appointment for the new Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, to give a major address to our sector. Manufacturers will welcome hearing from him.
“Our sector currently faces some significant challenges. Against this backdrop, confidence is faltering and UK manufacturers are feeling less optimistic about growth prospects next year.
“At this critical time, business leaders will want to hear how Government and industry can continue to work closely together to not only offset risks, but to encourage investment, boost innovation and increase productivity in this vital sector.”
The conference will be followed by EEF’s annual Manufacturers’ Dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, where the after dinner speaker will be the journalist and broadcaster, Andrew Neil.
