Digby Jones heads speaker line-up at chamber conference

LORD Jones of Birmingham heads the list of speakers lined up for this year’s Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference.

The conference, the 10th to be held by the chamber, will focus on the economic growth taking place both locally and within the larger region.

Lord Jones is set to outline his views on where Britain needs to go in order to secure growth, bringing in the experience he has picked up during tenures as Director General of the CBI and Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment.

Chamber chief executive Louise Bennett said: “We are delighted to have Lord Digby Jones as one of our keynote speakers at the conference.

“He has been at the forefront of business and industry for some time now and is very well known for his outspoken views. He’s an outstanding speaker and I am sure he will act as a major pull for the conference.”

David Frost, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, will also be speaking, as will Yorkshire Bank’s chief economist Tom Vosa.

Sir Peter Rigby, the man behind a range of businesses including Coventry Airport and a portfolio of hotels, which includes Mallory Court and the Arden Hotel, will give his view on the economy and how the Local Enterprise Partnership can help stimulate growth.

Professor Madeleine Atkins, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, will also be speaking as will Tony Whitehorne, managing director of Hyundai UK – the sponsors of the conference.

“Hyundai UK have come on board to sponsor this year’s event and to have Tony here speaking is a great addition to the bill,” added Ms Bennett.

“We have a strong array of speakers and I am sure business people in Coventry and Warwickshire will be keen to sign up early to ensure their place.”

The conference takes place at the TechnoCentre on Puma Way, Coventry on Friday, September 16.