The burgeoning technology sector is now vying with finance to be the most profitable business sector. As the digital wave moves on, it is transforming media, entertainment, communications, logistics, and now threatens to disrupt manufacturing, retail, logistics, transportation and more. In the UK we know that our future prosperity in a post-Brexit world will depend not just on adjusting to such changes but also on leading in some areas. Chi Onwurah MP, a qualified engineer, will outline her views on how the UK should capitalise its undoubted strengths and lead in innovation to keep the country economically successful.

The patent system is designed to reward innovation by protecting the innovator from competition in exchange for making details of the innovation public. This has generally worked well to foster innovation but there are a growing number of criticisms of the system, including that it is not flexible enough to provide adequate protection for the many rapidly emerging pharmaceutical and tech advancements. As industry is increasingly having to look to other incentives and systems to encourage and protect innovation, an expert panel, led by qualified patent agent Baroness Sharon Bowles, will discuss current problems and how these can be overcome to stimulate greater innovation.

Speakers for this event include:

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London is a preeminent international city with a vibrant economy that recovered well from the 2008 banking crisis. The city is prosperous and the population diverse and they voted strongly to remain in the European Union. Whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, London is likely to remain successful, but the necessary adjustments and problems to be overcome are not yet clear. Rajesh Agrawal, an Indian born entrepreneur and successful business person, will give his views, in his capacity as Deputy Mayor of London for Business, on what needs to be done to ensure that 2019 is a great year for London Business.

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The aftermath of the 2008 banking crisis followed by Brexit uncertainty have hampered UK economic activity for a decade during which productivity and real wage growth have stalled and the gap between the prosperity of London and the southeast, and the rest of the country, has grown. Labour’s plans to reinvigorate the economy include a greater use of fiscal policy to invest directly in infrastructure and skills, the establishment of a national investment bank, and the extension of public ownership in some industries. Peter Dowd MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will outline key points of these policies and discuss their implications.

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The dominance of hydrocarbons as an energy source is coming to an end. There are increasingly good ways to capture renewable energy from unlimited natural sources such as solar radiation, wind, and geothermal rocks. But realising the full potential of this development requires an immense change to the UK and world energy infrastructure. Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister will discuss the policy implications for the UK and particularly how we should manage the transition to electric power in UK surface transport, and where alternative fuels such as hydrogen fit into the picture.

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The Public Accounts Committee is outspoken and hyperactive. It has a long list of current inquiries including the interface between health and social care, Universal Credit, the Brexit financial settlement, the performance of HMRC, the collapse of Carillion and many more. Come and hear Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the committee outline and discuss the most urgent issues.

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