EEF launches National Manufacturing Conference 2016

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has announced that the next National Manufacturing Conference will be taking place in London on Thursday 25 February 2016. The flagship annual event – sponsored by the UK’s largest asset finance providers Lombard – will bring leading politicians, senior industrialists and manufacturing companies from across the UK together to discuss the critical challenges ahead for industry.

With a forthcoming referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the EU, key themes up for debate include the UK’s future in the EU, unlocking the global trade challenge and cracking Britain’s productivity puzzle.

A number of high-profile speakers have been lined up, including 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.

EEF is also offering an early bird discount for anyone booking their place before the end of November. Visit http://www.manufacturingconference.co.uk/ to find out more.

Stephen Fitzsimons, North West Region Manager at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, says: “Manufacturers are currently facing significant challenges, including uncertainty over the future of the Eurozone, the slowdown in China, ongoing concerns about Greece, and the continuing slump in the oil and gas sector. Against this backdrop, confidence is faltering and UK manufacturers are feeling less optimistic about growth prospects next year.

"Our conference comes at a critical time for industry and I urge local manufacturers to take part so that their voice is heard. By facilitating debate about how industry and Government can continue to work closely together, we can help offset these risks and further encourage investment, innovation and increased productivity in this important industry.”

Joanne Whitehead, Business Development Manager for Lombard North Central, says: “We are delighted to be headline sponsor of EEF’s National Manufacturing Conference once again. Manufacturing is key to the UK’s productivity and growth. It is manufacturers’ inventiveness and ambition that boosts jobs and growth and also the UK’s international competitiveness. However, there are challenges ahead and we look forward to welcoming manufacturers and thought leaders from across the UK to start identifying what these are and the potential solutions.”

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.