Technological change is occurring at an exceptional rate  within a world-wide digital architecture. This represents a big opportunity for the UK but failure to grasp the opportunity might see our economy relegated to 'branch status' in the world economy. The House of Lords Select Committee on Digital Skills published a detailed report in February 2015 entitled 'Make or Break: the UK's Digital Future. This highlighted the need for the government to adopt a proactive and comprehensive 'Digital Agenda' and to give high priority to enabling factors such as the wide availability of high speed broadband and a strong focus of digital skills and education for all sectors of the population. Come and meet Baroness Sally Morgan, and hear her views on 'Ensuring that the UK can lead in a digital world'

The general election result will resolve the policy framework of the next administration, but the course of UK economy will be largely determined by external factors including the slowing Chinese economy, the resurgent US economy, developments in the Eurozone, and the associated macroeconomic policies of the main players. Andrew Smith, formerly Chief Economist at KPMG, will give a detailed analysis of the overall economic landscape and how things could play out for the UK. Andrew has much experience of briefing senior executives on complex economic matters and has a great ability to cut through political spin to interpret what has happened, and what could happen, with precision and wry humour.

Numerous polls show that public trust in politicians and business is low. Key issues undermining trust in individuals has been a succession of exposures of poor behaviour concerning expenses and trading influence for cash. The public also have a strong views that business lobbying is pervasive and not in the public interest. Such distrust is not just harmful to democracy but harms proper political processes and business activities. Lord Bew Chairs the Committee on Standards in Public Life. He advises  the Prime Minister about standards of conduct of all holders of public office and makes recommendations for changes to ensure the highest standards in public life. Come and hear Lord Bew give his views on events that have given rise to increased concern about standards in public life and what needs to be done.