Be part of the conversation at the 2018 LEP Conference
Twenty experts from business, industry, Government and academia will gather at the Lincolnshire Showground at the end of this month to consider the future of the Lincolnshire economy.
From the University of Lincoln to the CBI, and from the Department of Transport to the care sector, the experts have been drawn from a wide range of industries to take part in the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s annual conference.
The LEP Conference 2018 will take place at the Showground on Friday 28th September and its theme will be The Future of the Lincolnshire Economy.
During the event guests such as Karen Lee MP, David Hallam, founder and MD of software firm OrderWise, Professor Libby John from the University of Lincoln, and Richard Blackmore, Regional Director of the CBI East Midlands, will take part in a number of panel discussions.
Chaired by Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the four panels will discuss what the future has in store for robotics and automation, digitalisation, skills, and energy and water.
The panels are made up as follows:
Panel 1: Robotics & Automation
Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
Dr Megan Ronayne, Regional Manager at EEF - the Manufacturer's Organisation
Professor Simon Pearson from the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology
David Hallam, founder and MD of automated business management software firm OrderWise
Jake Norman, Sales and Marketing Director at OAL Group – supplier of engineering solutions to the food manufacturing industry
Graham Pendlebury, Director for Local Transport at the Department for Transport
Panel 2: Digitalisation
Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
Glenn Thow, CEO of IT software company LCS Group, and the LCS IT Academy, Grimsby
David Thorpe, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses
Christian Greenshaw, CEO of CareShield, the UK's largest specialist provider of workforce development solutions to health and social care organisations
Professor Libby John, Head of the College of Science and Engineering, University of Lincoln
Neil Everatt, CEO of leading HR and finance cloud technology provider Selenity
Panel 3: Skills
Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
Gary Headland, CEO of the Lincoln College Group and Chair of the Institute of Directors in Lincolnshire
Richard Blackmore, Regional Director of the CBI East Midlands
Claire Threapleton, HR consultant
Chris Baron, Resort Director at Butlins
Karen Lee, MP for Lincoln & Shadow Home Office Minister
Panel 4: Energy & Water
Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
Allan Simpson, Strategic Growth Manager at Anglian Water
Lee Dawson, Head of UK Finance at Siemens
Jack Lavington, Head of Operations at renewable waste recycling company Ellgia
Richard Jones, MD of electric charging point company EV Camel
Cllr Colin Davie from Lincolnshire County Council
Not only will those attending the conference be able to take part in the panel debates, they will also have the opportunity to book a place on a round-table discussion with one of four experts:
- Dr Megan Ronayne, EEF – the future of UK manufacturing, competitiveness, skills, apprenticeships
- Professor Simon Pearson, Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology – agrifood technology, robotics and automated vehicles
- Richard Blackmore, CBI – Government strategy, Brexit planning and preparation
- Allan Simpson, Anglian Water – infrastructure strategy and planning, utilities, water, homes
The keynote speakers will be Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, who will talk about the future of the economy and how Greater Lincolnshire fits into the Midlands Engine’s vision, and Ursula Lidbetter MBE, who will review the past year and look forward to what the next 12 months may bring.
“This year’s line-up of experts and speakers is unprecedented and has made our annual conference even more keenly anticipated than ever,” said Ursula.
“Already over 400 delegates have signed up for their free pass, so it’s going to be an extremely busy and popular event.
“We’d like to thank our partners and our event sponsor Ellgia for helping to stage this fantastic conference.”
The LEP Conference 2018 is staged in partnership with the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. The main sponsor is renewable waste recycling company Ellgia.
It will take place at the EPIC Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, from 8am until 2pm on Friday 28th September 2018.
Free delegates’ passes are still available. Find the booking link below to book your place.
Limited exhibition stands are still available so if you are a businesses with an innovative product to showcase, new technology to demonstrate or a great idea to shout about, contact Sarah Carter on 01522 585501 or email scarter@lincolnshireshowground.co.uk to find out about exhibiting opportunities.
You can follow the latest updates about the conference using the hashtag #LEPConference2018 on social media.
