The British Chambers of Commerce’s Global Annual Conference returns at a pivotal moment for the UK economy.
With a theme of Delivering Growth, this year’s event will bring together leading voices from each of the main UK political parties, with business leaders and chamber representatives, to focus on the practical actions needed to unlock growth, raise productivity and restore business confidence.
Why attend?
How the UK delivers sustainable, long‑term economic growth will be the defining challenge of the next decade.
British Businesses are ready to lead that charge, but they need the right conditions to succeed.
Global Annual Conference therefore aims to place business at the heart of the growth debate by bringing evidence, policymakers and experience together.
At GAC 2026 you will:
- Hear directly from senior representatives of every major UK-wide political party on their plans for growth.
- Explore how business can deliver growth through trade, investment and productivity.
- Take part in the policy debate, through engaging breakout sessions with policymakers, experts and business leaders.
- Learn from other business and chamber leaders, already delivering growth on the ground.
- Build powerful connections across the UK’s largest and most influential business network.
our speakers
Shevaun Haviland CBE
Director General, British Chambers of Commerce
Senior cabinet minister
Labour Party
zack polanksi
Leader of the Green Party
rt hon. ed davey mp
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Rt Hon. Sir Mel Stride MP
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick MP
Treasury Spokesperson, Reform UK
Sophy ridge
Sky News presenter
Michael hayman MBE DL
Chair, British Chambers of Commerce
agenda (subject to change)
- Opening and Economic Context: BCC President, Andy Haldane CBE will open the conference with his take on the UK’s growth challenge and the role of business and policymakers in delivering long‑term prosperity.
- Director General’s Speech: Shevaun Haviland CBE will set out the role of Chambers in delivering growth across the UK and around the world, and will set out the action business needs to see from government.
- Government Keynote: A Senior Cabinet Minister will speak with an extended Q&A hosted by Sky New’s Sophy Ridge, on delivering growth in government and responding to business priorities. [For security purposes, speaker details will be confirmed nearer the time].
- Cross‑Party Political Keynotes: Senior representatives from each of the main UK-wide political parties will set out their economic visions for growth, to be followed by Q&As. Confirmed speakers already include Shadow Chancellor The Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, The Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, a senior representative from Reform UK, and Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski AM.
- Business Leaders Panel: A panel of senior business leaders will share how their businesses are helping to deliver growth in practice, including through innovation, infrastructure, AI adoption and supply chains.
- Chamber Leaders Panel: A panel of Chamber leaders will talk about how Chambers across the UK and internationally are delivering growth on the ground, sharing practical lessons from different regions and sectors
- Drivers of Growth – Breakout Sessions: Two rounds of breakout sessions will allow delegates to deep‑dive into the practical actions needed to unlock growth in areas of interest, including: AI Adoption, Trade, Supply Chains, Investment and Skills. Each session will bring together senior policymakers, leading experts, the voices of businesses, both large and SME, and Chamber representatives.
Agenda
The following agenda is subject to change.
Sky News’s lead politics presenter, and our host for today, will welcome delegates to conference.
The Director General will set out what the BCC wants to see from Government to Deliver Growth and how the Chamber Network is helping British businesses grow across the UK and oversees.
Keynote: Senior Government Minister (Labour Party), followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
NatWest Delivering Growth: Robert Begbie, CEO Commercial & Institutional, NatWest, in conversation with Michael Hayman MBE DL, Chair, British Chambers of Commerce.
Keynote: The Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, (Conservative Party), followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
Panel Discussion: Business Delivering Growth.
Moderator: Sophy Ridge
Panellists:
- Ciarán Quilty, Senior Vice President International, Intuit,
- Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow
- Nikki Flanders, Managing Director, SSE Energy Customer Solutions
[Business Leader TBC] Delivering Growth, in conversation with Michael Hayman MBE DL, Chair, British Chambers of Commerce
Keynote: The Right Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader, Liberal Democrats, followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
Breakout 1: Delivering Growth through AI Adoption
Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, compete and grow. This session will examine AI adoption can unlock productivity gains across sectors.
- Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE, Chief Executive, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)
- Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Chair, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee,
- James Kuht MBE, Founder and CEO, PAIR
- Leigh Thomas, Vice-President EMEA, Intuit.
Breakout 2: Delivering Growth through Trade
Building robust and adaptable supply chains is essential for maintaining economic stability and capitalising on international trade opportunities in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. Strengthening trade relationships and diversifying supply networks ensures business continuity whilst supporting long-term economic growth.
- Paul Britton, Chief Executive, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)
- The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations)
- (TBC) Ceri Morgan CBE, HM Trade Commissioner for Europe
- Soren Nikolajsen, Managing Director, Government & Industry Engagement: Defence and Trade, NatWest
- Mike Bagshaw, Founder, I.T.S. (International Taste Solutions Ltd)
Breakout 3: Delivering Growth through Supply Chains
Strategic investment in supply chain capabilities is fundamental to building resilient, efficient operations that can withstand disruption and seize emerging market opportunities. Channelling capital into modern logistics, technology and supplier networks strengthens competitiveness whilst laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term economic growth.
- Ashley Shorey-Mills, Supply Chain Director, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)
- Sam Ulyatt, Chief Executive, Crown Commercial Agency
- Paul Doherty, Procurement Director, Heathrow
- Mark Dolman, Managing Director, Portable Space
Breakout 4: Delivering Growth through Skills
Developing a highly skilled workforce aligned with evolving market demands is crucial for driving productivity gains and maintaining economic competitiveness. Investment in education, training and lifelong learning equips individuals and organisations to thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
- Corin Crane, Group Chief Executive, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)
- Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair, Work and Pensions Committee
- Rt Hon Chloe Smith, President, CIPD
- David Roberts, Executive Chairman, Evtec Group Holdings Ltd.
Breakout 5: Delivering Growth through Infrastructure Investment
Modern, reliable infrastructure forms the backbone of economic competitiveness, enabling efficient movement of goods, services and people whilst attracting investment. Accelerating infrastructure development and digital connectivity creates the foundation for sustainable growth and enhanced regional prosperity.
- John McCabe DL, Chief Executive, North East Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)
- Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment, Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury,
- Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government,
- Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow,
- John Sayers, Managing Director, Hodgson Sayers.
Breakout 6: Delivering Long Term Growth – 2030s Prosperity Alliance
Sound fiscal policy that balances investment with sustainability creates the conditions for both business confidence and economic resilience. A well-designed fiscal framework can stimulate innovation whilst ensuring long-term economic stability.
- Shevaun Haviland CBE, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce (Moderator)
- Rick Haythornthwaite, Chair, NatWest.
Keynote: The Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick MP, Treasury Spokesperson, Reform UK
Followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
Panel Discussion: Delivering Growth through Chambers
- Sophy Ridge (Moderator),
- Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce
- Katie Keenan, Chief Executive, British Chamber of Commerce, Dubai
- Douglas Ure, Chief Executive, Business West
- Suzanne Wylie OBE, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Keynote: Zack Polanski AM, Leader, Green Party of England and Wales, followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
Keynote: Zack Polanski AM, Leader, Green Party of England and Wales, followed by Q&A with Sophy Ridge
who should attend?
Global Annual Conference is regularly attended by over 600 delegates.
The conference targets:
- Business Leaders
- Chamber Leaders
- Senior Policy Makers
tickets and registration
LOCATION
Our Global Annual Conference 2026 will take place at the QEII Centre, London.
