Make UK, the manufacturers’ organization, is set to host the National Manufacturing Conference on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, London. The flagship annual event will bring together prominent politicians, senior industrialists, and manufacturing innovators to navigate the complex landscape of high energy prices, supply chain pressures, and economic uncertainty.
The conference will delve into crucial themes, exploring how companies can cultivate the next generation of talent for the sector, thrive while promoting sustainability, and address the future of artificial intelligence (AI) across Britain’s manufacturing companies.
Distinguished speakers at the event include Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State for Industry and Economic Security, who will provide insights into the current climate and opportunities to boost the sector. Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, will articulate Labour’s vision for the future of the industrial landscape and growth potential.
The keynote economic speech will be delivered by Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street director of communications, and Rory Stewart from The Rest is Politics Podcast. They will offer an insider’s perspective on domestic and international politics, analyzing the UK and global geopolitical landscape and its likely impact on the economy and manufacturing in the near and medium term.
The conference, chaired by broadcaster Steph McGovern, a former engineer, will feature a series of inspirational speakers and facilitate the sharing of best practices. Breakout sessions will focus on key issues identified by manufacturers, covering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), talent development, and the future of AI in the manufacturing sector.
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, emphasized the significance of the conference in light of the sector’s unprecedented challenges, including record energy prices, labor shortages, and disruptions in global supply chains. The event aims to provide a collaborative platform for industry and government to work together and support the growth of the resilient manufacturing sector, which currently sustains 2.7 million jobs throughout the UK.
The conference will conclude with a celebratory manufacturing dinner at One Great George Street, featuring broadcaster the Reverend Richard Coles as the after-dinner speaker. Make UK’s National Manufacturing Conference 2024 promises to be a vital forum for industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to collectively address challenges and explore opportunities for the growth and sustainability of the manufacturing sector.