Programme


8.30	Exhibition and breakfast networking event
9.30	Welcome: Mick Laverty, Chief Executive, Advantage West Midlands Introduction: Paul Hebblethwaite: Chair of Regional Cluster Chairs Group
9.40	Keynote address: ‘How industry can make the most of the big market and technology opportunities’ Will Hutton, Executive Vice-Chair, The Work Foundation National Economic Commentator and Futurologist
10.10	Market Opportunities: (4 parallel sessions) Session 1: Low Carbon Leader - Professor Julia King, Vice Chancellor Aston University, author of the King Report on Low Carbon Vehicles for the UK Government Smart Grids Matt Freeman – Senior Project Manager, Central Networks Smart Grids are an essential component to enable the delivery of sustainable energy to homes and workplaces cost effectively. Central Networks are developing exciting solutions. Supporting Low Carbon Households Neil Schofield, Head of Sustainable Development, Bosch Thermotechnology (Worcester) Bosch at Worcester is a leading player in domestic heating, and is undertaking exciting developments to reduce the carbon footprint of households. Waste to Wealth - Moving up the Value Chain David Gillett, Executive Director, Taylor (invited) Taylor is a leading manufacturer of 4-wheeled waste containers. By rigorous study of customer need for recycling and waste containment solutions they have radically changed the value they add to their products. Session 2: Advanced Manufacturing Leader - Jon Beasley, Group Technology Officer GKN Key Technologies for Future Success Jon Beasley, Group Technology Officer, GKN GKN has identified a number of technologies essential to succeed in its chosen markets. It is developing its own expertise and those of its partners in these areas. Technological Innovation to Win New Aerospace Markets Simon Burr, CEO, Aero Engine Controls Aero Engine Controls , a joint venture between Rolls-Royce plc and Goodrich Corporation, is combining both process and product innovation to further enhance its business. Building Wind Power Supply Chains John Hill, Renewables Manager, Converteam Converteam specialises in power conversion. It is winning major orders for its radical new design of power converters for wind turbines. The challenge is to develop a supply chain that can strengthen this success. Session 3: Digital Content Leader - Jonnie Turpie, Digital Media Director, Maverick Television Making the most of Digital Britain Neil Crockett, UK Managing Director (Public Sector), Cisco How digital technology can improve business performance and open up new markets. At the Digital Interface Toby Barnes, Managing Director, Mudlark Two examples of digital innovation: London Underground and Royal Shakespeare Company. Session 4: Medical Technologies Leader - Dr David Gleaves, Chief Executive, MidTECH Creating new Markets through Local Leadership James Champion, Director Strategic Accounts, GE Healthcare James Champion, Director Strategic Accounts, GE Healthcare GE Healthcare, one of the portfolio businesses of General Electric, is one of the global leaders in healthcare technologies and is developing new markets through local collaboration. Creating Global Markets – an SME perspective Prof. Jon Heylings, Chairman, Dermal Technology Laboratory Ltd Dermal Technology Laboratory Ltd is a specialist provider of in vitro dermal absorption studies for the pharmaceutical and industrial chemical industry, and has developed technology which has reduced the need for human and animal testing.
11.30	Tea & coffee / exhibition/ networking
12.00	Keynote address: ‘The importance of building a clear position in new markets.’ Steve Parker, Group Director, Unipart Group of Companies Unipart is a major logistics and manufacturing business which is deliberately targeting growth in the increasing market for low carbon vehicles. Steve also suggests lessons for entering other markets.
12.30	Regional industry leaders question panel: ‘Key messages for industries and businesses wanting to maximise their effectiveness in addressing the big market and technology opportunities?’ A panel comprising a business leader from each of the four streams, chaired by Will Hutton, will answer questions audience questions and suggest general learning points for all innovative businesses
13.35	Summary and close
13.45	Buffet lunch and exhibition

The organisers reserve the right to vary the programme

Keynote speakers

Will Hutton, The Work Foundation

Will Hutton is Executive Vice Chair of The Work Foundation, a leading voice on work, employment and organisation issues in the UK. Regularly called on to advise senior political and business figures and comment in the national and international media, Will is today one of the pre-eminent economics commentators in the country.

Steve Parker, Group Director, Unipart Group of Companies

Unipart is a major logistics and manufacturing business which is deliberately targeting growth in the increasing market for low carbon vehicles. Steve also suggests lessons for entering other markets.