Leading politicians, senior industrialists and manufacturing innovators will come together for the National Manufacturing Conference hosted by Make UK next month.
With global supply chains under pressure and energy prices at record highs, the event on 3 May will look at how companies can best adapt to the requirements of Net Zero and a changing world.
Several high profile speakers are lined up, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng who will talk about the opportunities and challenges facing business in the current climate. Minister for Industry Lee Rowley will join delegates in the evening to give unique insight and perspective on current Government priorities and agenda.
The conference takes place at the QEII Centre in London. It will be chaired by broadcaster Steph McGovern while William Hague – Baron Hague of Richmond – has been confirmed as the keynote speaker. As a former Foreign Secretary, will talk about the challenging international situation in which companies have to operate and how the global outlook may develop in the near to medium term.
A series of workshops will take place throughout the conference day. Key themes for this year’s discussions include “Net Zero and Manufacturing – what can we do to achieve the goal”, looking also at the benefits for businesses of embracing a low carbon strategy.
A second workshop will look at “Building resilient workforces and leading successful businesses”, examining how manufacturers can address the current and future skills gaps in their companies, and how to recruit and retain the talent that they need to unlock growth.
The third workshop titled “Volatility vs Efficiency – Managing global supply chains” looks at building resilience and best practice in resetting international trade, after the previous two years of pandemic have highlighted strengths and weaknesses in supply of raw materials and inputs.
“Social Values in Defence: A Green, Diverse and Local Future”, presented by Make Defence, looks at how to create a more sustainable, diverse, equal and ultimately more competitive business. This workshop sits against the background of the Social Value Public Procurement Notice introduced in 2020, which fundamentally changed all defence procurement processes.
UK Steel will run an in-depth session, “A Material World”, bringing together a range of thought leaders from industry and academia to examine global challenges from climate change to resource scarcity within the steel sector, and the fragile global chains which will fundamentally change the way materials are used in the future.
The day will conclude with a celebratory manufacturing dinner. Make UK chief executive Stephen Phipson said: “Our conference comes at a critical time for industry, with the ongoing uncertainty over energy prices and other global supply chain pressures.
“This conference provides an important collaborative platform for industry and Government to work together – and it is that which during the last two years of crisis has helped assure the future success of manufacturing to ensure we protect the 2.7 million jobs our sector provides across the UK.
“Going forward, it is essential that we look to build resilience across the sector to protect our supply chains and at the same time looking to grasp new trade opportunities as we continue to build free trade agreements with the rest of the world.”