Jo Malone to speak at flagship manufacturing conference

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation

UK manufacturers are set to enjoy the sweet smell of success at the National Manufacturing Conference in February next year. EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has announced that the renowned fragrance designer and entrepreneur, Jo Malone MBE, will be joining its world-class line up of speakers. Jo will be closing the conference with an inspirational speech designed to end the flagship annual event on a high.

She will be joined by political heavyweights Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and John McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor, who are both now confirmed as keynote speakers. Their involvement will be particularly pertinent for industry given the proximity of the Government’s self-imposed deadline for triggering Article 50.

The National Manufacturing Conference - sponsored by Lombard, the UK’s largest asset finance provider - takes place in London on Wednesday 22nd February. It will bring leading politicians, senior industrialists and manufacturing leaders from across the UK together to discuss the critical challenges ahead.

This year it will have a strong global slant. Key themes up for debate include the UK’s ability to compete globally, UK manufacturing’s prospects in the year ahead, how to make Britain the best place to manufacture and digitising supply chains in a global environment.

Other high-profile speakers taking part include Martin Wolf CBE, chief economics commentator at The Financial Times, Vicky Pryce of the Centre for Economics & Business Research and Alison Rose, CEO Commercial & Private Banking, NatWest.

The conference will also include a new feature this year – Speakers’ Corner – where manufacturers can turn up to tap into free tips and advice from a range of business experts. EEF will be publishing a schedule of the short talks that will be taking place there so that delegates can plan their day accordingly.

The conference will be followed in the evening by EEF’s annual Manufacturing Dinner, where Alastair Campbell – the journalist, broadcaster, political aide and author, best known for his work as Downing Street Press Secretary and Director of Communications and Strategy for Tony Blair – will be the after dinner speaker.

Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, says: “With Brexit on the horizon, our conference comes at a critical time for industry so we’re delighted that the Business Secretary will be joining us. It will be an important opportunity for Government to lay out its plans and to address any concerns being raised by our industry. Equally the Opposition has a key role to play and manufacturers will be interested to hear the Shadow Chancellor’s view on a new approach to industrial strategy and the implications of Brexit.

“Our sector must continue to seek ways to innovate, adapt and grow. Key to this is hearing about other manufacturers’ success stories – Jo Malone has achieved household name status and is well-respected both within business and beyond. Her story will be an inspiration to all and a fitting way to end a conference that is coming amidst such challenging and opportune times.”