The FI Skills and Talent Conference

Being held the evening before the much-anticipated Autumn Budget, this event is a perfect opportunity to meet fellow professionals in related areas, share insights, and expand your network.

Evening Agenda

Arrival: 17:45 | Main Venue: The Great Hall

18:00 – Welcome

18:05 – 19:00 – The Role of Government Skills Policy in Driving Economic Growth

Keynote: Andrew Pakes MP, Chair of the APPG for Apprenticeships

Followed by a panel discussion exploring:

·        The Growth & Skills Levy

·        Skills England

·        The Lifelong Learning Entitlement

·        Industrial Strategy goals for 2025 and beyond

Chair of the Panel: Tom Bewick (Academic and Commentator, author of Skills Policy in Britain and the Future of Work)

Panel Members: Andrew Pakes (Labour & Co-operative MP) · Dr Fiona Aldridge (CEO, Skills Federation and Skills England Board Member) · Iain Wright (Chief Policy & Communications Officer, ICAEW and Business Chair of the Professional and Business Services Council) · Laurence Grafton (Department for Business & Trade)

19:00 – 19:30 – Economic Growth in 2025

We will take the opportunity to reflect on economic performance so far this year and the potential implications of the policy decisions the Chancellor will announce in the Budget the following day.

Rob Elder – Bank of England – A summary of the UK’s economic performance in 2025 and what it signals for the year ahead.

Paul Surtees – CEO & Co-founder, Capitalise.com – The likely economic and behavioural impact of the Budget and possible business reactions.

19:30 – 20:15 – How Industry Is Confronting the Talent and Skills Crisis

Keynote: Lorraine Twist, National Specialism Director Finance, Hays

Followed by a panel discussion exploring:

·        Recruitment & retention

·        Skills development planning

·        AI and digital transformation

·        Offshoring and outsourcing trends

Chair of the Panel: Lindsay Conroy (Former UK Head of Apprenticeships at UCAS and now CEO of The Association of Apprentices and Founder & Director, The Bright Path Advisory Ltd)

Panel Members: Lorraine Twist (National Specialism Director Finance, Hays) · Holly Hobbs (Gen Z and Apprenticeships Influencer and Co-Founder & CGO, urfuture) · Karen Arch (Chief People Officer, BHP Ltd) · Louisa Matheson (Digital Programme Manager, First Intuition)

20:15 – 22:15 – Networking & Refreshments

Networking drinks and canapés in the stylish One Moorgate Place club

22:15 Onwards

Cash bar open for further informal conversations.

For further information and to reserve Your Place, please use the following link The FI Skills and Talent Conference - First Intuition

Spaces are limited.