BPEx 2023 Programme

The UK’s leading trade association conference is back! Join 200 people from across the sector on 22nd June 2023.

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Conference Zones

There are four zones across the conference offering association professionals different types of content and focuses:  

Exhibiton area

Meet leading suppliers to the sector, network with fellow association professionals and grab a coffee or something to eat.

Main stage

The main plenaries happen here – big picture sessions on the economy, skills andthe role associations can play in policy.

Best Practice Zone

Learn best practice across a range of key areas for associations, hear from experts and ask question!

Masterclass Studio

Learn from expert speakers about how to approach key professional skills, from data and analytics to events!

The Programme

09:15 - 10:00

Exhibiton area

Exhibition opens, Arrivals, Coffees & Networking

10:00 - 10:10

Main stage

Welcome and introduction

Gaynor Pates

Chair of the Trade Association Forum

10:10 - 10:40

Main stage

Keynote speech and Q&A

Carl Cresswell

Director, Business Resilience, Department for Business and Trade.

10:40 - 11:30

Main stage

Economy Panel Discussion: Delivering Growth 

 

To start the day, this session will provide an overview of the challenges facing the UK Economy, providing associations with a way to contextualise the issues being faced in their sectors.

Speakers:

Andy Silvester

Editor,
City AM (Chair)

Emma Reynolds

Managing Director of Public Affairs, TheCityUK

Alex Veitch

Director of Public Affairs,
British Chamber of Commerce

Roger Barker

Director of Policy and Governance,
Institute of Directors

11:30 - 11:40

Exhibiton area

Coffees & Networking

11:45 - 12:25

Main stage

Skills Panel Discussion: Addressing the UK skills & productivity puzzle

The UK Skills and productivity challenge. How can we ensure that we have the skills we need to support businesses? What is the role of trade associations in delivering the skills pipeline? How can we better use the apprenticeship levy?

Speakers:

Jane Dawson

Head of Communications and Public Affairs,
Electrical Contractors' Association (Chair)

Jessica Levy

Director of Communications, Federation of Master Builders

Tony Wilson

Director,
Institute for Employment Studies

Rob Nitsch

Delivery Director,
Institute of Apprenticeships

Lance Harris

National Sector Lead,
Ministry of Justice, New Futures Network

Best Practice Zone

Best Practice: Consultation Responses

Associations spend a lot of time responding to consultations from regulators and policymakers. What do good consultations look like? How are they assessed? Does a submission from an association count for more than an individual business?

Speakers:

Tom Reynolds

Chief Executive,
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (Chair)

Brett Amphlett

Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Builders Merchants Federation

Alex Thomas

Programme Director, Institute for Government

Matthew Davies

Deputy Director Trade Negotiations, Department of Business and Trade

David Park

Public Affairs Manager, British Coatings Federation

Masterclass Studio

How to use insights to represent your sector

How can associations can use big data, social listening and other tools to develop messages and data points about their sector.

Speakers:

Amy Chappell

Head of Insights ,
Vuelio

Holly Parry

Insights Marketing Manager, Vuelio

12:30 - 13:15

Main Stage

International Trade and Export Panel Discussion: Supporting UK businesses abroad 

The panel aims to explore the UK’s changing relationship with the world, especially the EU, in the wake of Brexit. How can Associations support their members to grow into new markets? How can the UK Government support Associations?  

Speakers:

Tim Doggett

CEO,
Chemical Business Association (Chair)

Georgina Metcalfe

Head of International Engagement and Delivery,
Export Support Service

David Johnstone

Head of Policy and Engagement
FTA Utilisation

Tiziana Dorigo

Membership & Communications Manager British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association

Best Practice Zone

Best practice in recruitment and retention in 2023 

How has recruitment changed over the last year? What is happening in the UK labour market? How is this impacting on the association recruitment market? What should associations be doing to support their sectors and how can we recruit the workforce the sector needs for the future?

Speakers:

Kate Shoesmith

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment & Employment Confederation (Chair)

Dennis Howes

Co-Founder, Membership Bespoke

Emily Wallace

CEO, TAF

Daniel Goddard

Co-Founder, Membership Bespoke

Masterclass Studio

Revolutionising Member Engagement with Innovative Techniques

A dynamic and interactive session designed to empower you to revolutionise your member engagement strategies using cutting-edge techniques.  The session brings together industry experts who will share their insights, success stories and practical tips for engaging members effectively in the digital age.

Speakers:

Lisa Collins

Managing Director, Dovetail Creative

Michelle Goodall

Chief Marketing Officer, Guild

Raisa McNab

Chief Executive Officer,
The Association of Translation Companies

Antonio Mugica

Founder,
Folio

13:15 - 14:10

Exhibiton area

Lunch

14:15 - 14:35

Main stage

Keynote speech and Q&A

Rt Hon Baroness Angela Smith

Labour Leader in the House of Lords

14:35 - 15:15

Main Stage

Effective engagement with the Opposition Panel discussion

Panel discussion about engagement with the main opposition party ahead of a General Election.

Speakers:

Jon Gerlis

Head of PR and Policy,
CIPR (Chair)

Angela Smith

Labour Leader in the House of Lords

Liz Minns

Labour Business Relations

Melanie Onn

Former MP and PPC for Grimsby

Chris Curtis

Head of Polling at Opinium and PPC for Milton Keynes North

15:20 - 15:30

Exhibiton area

Coffees & Networking

15:35 - 16:15

Main Stage

Delivering Regional Growth: Embracing devolution 

 

Navigating the ongoing trend of devolution, looking at how to work with Metro Mayors, Combined Authorities and Local Government. 

Speakers:

Andrew Carter

Chief Executive, Centre for Cities

Will Mapplebeck

Public Affairs Manager,
Core Cities

Cathy Owens

Director, Deryn

Celia Charlwood

Head of Government Affairs Make UK

Best Practice Zone

Best Practice complaint handling and dispute resolution

All associations have to deal with complaints about members. What are the key components of a best-in-class complaints process? 

Speakers:

Katie Gillespie

Compliance and Policy Manager, National Association of Jewellers

Ashleigh Howells

Scheme Development Manager, TrustMark

Matthew Smith

Public Law Partner,
Bates Wells

16:20 - 17:00

Main Stage

Small Business Panel Discussion: supporting SMEs to grow

Small businesses make up three-fifths of the employment and around half of turnover in the UK private sector. Ensuring they are well represented and supported to grow is key to delivering UK economic growth.

Speakers:

Rosina Robson

Director of Policy & Public Affairs, National Hair and Beauty Foundation (Chair)

Martin McTague

Policy & Advocacy Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses

Andy Chamberlain

Director of Policy, Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed

Best Practice Zone

Best practice: Taking Climate Leadership

Can associations achieve net zero and influence members to do the same?

Speakers:

Alison Heppenstall

CEO,
Climate Action for Associations

John Cunningham

CEO,
Food Equipment Association

Nicki Hunt

Project Manager Climate Action,
British Retail Consortium

Tessa Vincent

Policy and Engagement Lead,
Race to Zero

17:00 - 18:00

Exhibiton area

Drinks reception

Our sponsors

Find out more about our sponsors, some of the leading suppliers and supporters of the UK trade association sector

Why attend

BPEx is the leading conference for UK trade associations

Hear from experts

Our programmes features leading figures from the worlds of politics, business and trade associations

Learning & Development

Attend masterclasses on key themes and learn from best-in-class & award-winning associations

Develop your network

Build your professional network amongst other trade associations, government officials and thoughts leaders

Meet leading suppliers

Our exhibition features leading suppliers to UK associations, find out about the latest tech & what other associations are doing to drive performance

Hear why others attend

See our speakers

Last year we hd an incredible range of speakers, from Government ministers to member of the Shadow Cabinet, trade association leaders and more!

The Venue

30 Euston Square

BPEx 2023 will be held at 30 Euston Square, the home of membership body the Royal College of General Practitioners. The historic Greek Revival building is just a short walk from Euston or St Pancras stations and close to a number of London Underground stations. Find out more about the venue here.

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