Day 1, 5th July

11.10 - 12.10
SME Procurement in Information Technology

The government has made clear its intention to boost public procurement from SMEs: speaking at the Conservatives’ spring conference, David Cameron announced that the Budget would include measures to provide smaller businesses with better access to government contracts. “We're throwing open the bidding process to every single business in our country – a massive boost for small businesses,” he said. “We want them to win at least a quarter of these deals.”

However, there are major challenges to overcome in realising this ambition. Although the last government’s rhetoric emphasised the importance of public procurement in providing opportunities for small businesses, in practice these good intentions were often trumped by the desire to secure economies of scale, simplify contract management and minimise risk. And the challenges are particularly great in the field of IT, where many civil servants have attempted to develop capabilities and align departmental systems by hiring big system integrators rather than creating frameworks that favour SME contracting.

This panel discussion will look at how the government can achieve its aim of fostering SME procurement in the IT sector.

12:30 – 13:30
The Private Sector – Serious about Public Service.

The commercial and third sectors already deliver public service successfully across the spectrum of health, education, works and pensions, local government, and many more.

This workshop will look at some varied examples of where private sector partnerships have generated significant benefits in terms of cost savings, efficiencies and improvement in service. It will also outline the key elements for partnership success, a willingness to embrace joint endeavour, an understanding of what it is to shoulder risk, a recognition of what it means to be trusted ,and a belief in and understanding of the ethos of public service.

In times of challenge when the public services are under threat, other sectors can step in and make a positive difference.

12.40 - 13.40
How do we grow the UK economy?  - brought to you by Visa

The Prime Minister has said that the Government is doing everything it can to drive growth in the UK economy. Gus O’Donnell will be joined by leading Government and independent economists to discuss what this involves. Come along for an insight into this key area and an opportunity to put your questions to the experts.

On the panel:  Sir Gus O' Donnell, Tera Allas (Director-General, Economics, Strategy and Better Regulation at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), Dave Ramsden (Director-General and Chief Economic Adviser, HM Treasury) and Stephen Radley (Director of Policy, EEF).

14.10 - 15.10
The big green growth quiz

Come along to test your knowledge about the way that green growth is contributing to the UK’s economic recovery.  Our lively and interactive quiz is designed to surprise and amaze with its sharp insights into how value can be added to UK businesses in all sectors through the sustainable use of resources.

14:20 – 15:00
The future of electric vehicles and energy infrastructure

Brought to you by the Institution of Engineering and Technology

The full details of this session will be confirmed soon. So keep checking back!

  Day 2, 6th July

11.30 - 12.30
Onwards and Upwards - what are the prospects for economic growth?

The Prime Minister has said that the Government is doing everything it can to drive growth in the UK economy.  Leading Government and independent economists will be discussing what this involves. Come along for some insight into this key area and an opportunity to put your questions to the experts.

On the panel:  Robert Chote (Chairman, Office for Budget Responsibility), Professor Nick Crafts (Professor of Economics and Economic History, University of Warwick), Tera Allas (Director General, Economics, Strategy and Better Regulation at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and Peter Schofield (Director, Enterprise and Growth, HM Treasury)

12:30 – 13:30
The Private Sector – Serious about Public Service.

The commercial and third sectors already deliver public service successfully across the spectrum of health, education, works and pensions, local government, and many more.

This workshop will look at some varied examples of where private sector partnerships have generated significant benefits in terms of cost savings, efficiencies and improvement in service. It will also outline the key elements for partnership success, a willingness to embrace joint endeavour, an understanding of what it is to shoulder risk, a recognition of what it means to be trusted ,and a belief in and understanding of the ethos of public service.

In times of challenge when the public services are under threat, other sectors can step in and make a positive difference.

12.40 - 13.40
Government means business

The Prime Minister has said that the Government is doing everything it can to drive growth in the UK economy.  Come along to hear some 'big hitters' from the world of business discuss the role of business in driving economic growth and for a chance to put your questions to the experts.

On the panel: Martin Donnelly (Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and high profile business leaders to be confirmed!

13.40 - 14.40
Roundtable discussion  - Collaboration or hedging? What is the best way for government departments to manage movements in foreign exchange?

The NAO has recently highlighted a number of key issues in the way government departments manage foreign exchange movements. In some departments these movements have translated into budget reductions, additional hedging costs, missed opportunities to spend available funds,  and the potential for significant future losses. To quote from the NAO report “Managing the impact of changes in the value of the euro on EU funds” dated 18 February 2011:

• The current arrangements for managing exchange rate movements between the euro and the pound are not value for money because the government is exposed to large potential losses from a euro depreciation. The UK taxpayer is exposed to potential exchange rate losses of £150 million per 10 per cent incremental depreciation in the euro.
• A 14 per cent change in the euro can entail an increase or decrease of £700 million in the value of funds provided by the EU to the UK for government policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy. The exchange rate has moved by as much as 14 per cent in a single month during the recent economic uncertainty, and by 30 per cent over a longer time period.
• Current arrangements whereby each department managing EU funds works in isolation on developing its foreign exchange policy is not cost effective. More detailed guidelines and a more coordinated approach could improve foreign exchange management and reduce costs and risks to the UK taxpayer.

The government’s drive for spending efficiency and financial discipline must also account for financial risks that may result in a significant shortfall to annual budgets. This session will look at how departments are collaborating with one another to identify and share best practice in foreign exchange management across government.

Dominic Jaques, Managing Director, Tresauris and Brian Welch, Treasury Director, from Tresauris

15.10 - 16.10
Reduce Carbon Emissions and Building Running Costs With The Award Winning Mantle Building System

The Government set an objective to improve the environmental credentials and the cost effectiveness of its own and the nation’s building stock.  It supports this objective through recent changes in building regulations aimed at improving thermal insulation and air-tightness.  These more stringent demands are a tough challenge for traditional, steel and timber frame build solutions.

The Mantle Building System satisfies the Government’s objectives.  It is an award winning, patented and certified British system build solution that uses ‘super-insulated’, composite materials to provide a structural solution that is cost-effective, green, simple and flexible.

Project costs are typically 45% - 55% less than traditional and timber frame solutions, respectively.

Carbon emissions and annual energy consumption savings are estimated at over 90%.  (Estimated annual energy requirement of a 4 bedroomed, 3 storey town house: £35-60.)

Given Government build budgets running to hundreds of millions of pounds p.a., the savings potential is enormous.

15:10 – 16:10
Building a Stronger Economy

Looking at international examples of best practice, this session will address ways to improve the UK economy and how to generate more wealth.

• Among other things the panellists will discuss public private partnerships and the benefits of reverse innovation.
• How a private sector company can help government in building the economy
• Lessons learnt / best practices from the private sector to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector
• Public private partnerships
• Citizen centric solutions
   

Private sector examples will be drawn from Larsen & Toubro Infotech (L&T Infotech), a fast growing IT services company, an IT arm of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) - $11.7 Billion technology-driven conglomerate, who can walk-the-talk at length from L&T’s participation in building the Indian economy:

• What L&T CFO achieved as part of the advisory board to the Indian finance minister during the recession which kept India unaffected
• Why and how the Indian economy was stable during recession
• Why L&T is categorized as National Sector – “L&T is unique, it does not belong to the public sector, or the private sector, it belongs to the national sector. It is the company of the people of India” – quoted by Union Finance Minister – Mr P Chidambaram
• L&T’s experience and expertise in dealing with the Indian Government, what best practices and value add L&T can bring to the UK
• Show how Government can support the UK's Economy and ensure survival through the current period of austerity.

15.20 – 16.20
The Green Deal

Tracy Vegro and David Purdy will explain the legislative and practical steps towards Green Deal:

The Green Deal will mean that consumers face no upfront costs in achieving significant retrofit packages to their properties. Launching in October 2012, this innovative new policy will allow householders and businesses to use the savings they make from installing energy efficiency measures to repay the costs of installation. And because energy companies are required to subsidise those needing additional support, the scheme will require minimal government spend. The role for DECC is to set the market framework and standards.

Speakers: Tracy Vegro, Director of Household Energy Efficiency and David Purdy, Deputy Director, Green Deal

   Day 3, 7th July

12:30 – 13:30
Initiatives for Cost Saving across Government  - brought to you by PRGX

With John Collington, Chief Procurement Officer, Efficiency and Reform Group, Cabinet Office; full details to be confirmed soon, so come back soon!

12.40 - 13.40
Connecting the dots - joining up Government to deliver growth

The Prime Minister has said that the Government is doing everything it can to drive growth in the UK economy.  Come along to hear how the Department for Transport, the Department for Health and the Department for Work and Pensions are using high speed rail links, the NHS and the labour market to drive economic growth and for a chance to put your questions to the experts.

On the panel:  Philip Rutnam (Director-General Business and Skills, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), Martin Capstick (Director, High Speed Rail, Department for Transport), Ruth Owen (Chief Operating Officer, Job Centre Plus) and John Hall (Director of Strategy, Department for Health).

14.10 - 15.10
Ensuring Innovation + Enterprise = Growth  - brought to you by Visa

The Prime Minister has said that the Government is doing everything it can to drive growth in the UK economy. Come along to hear about the role of innovation and enterprise in driving economic growth and for a chance to put your questions to the experts.

Special guest speakers to be confirmed shortly!

15.00 - 16.00
Open Data: defining characteristic of 21st century government?

The role of Transparency as a key driver of accountability, improved public service outcomes, as well as social and economic growth.

Open Data may be one of the most powerful levers of 21st century public policy: it makes accountability real for citizens; it improves outcomes and productivity in key services through informed comparison; it transforms social relationships – empowering individuals and communities; and it drives dynamic economic growth. The potential value of the public sector data market in Europe alone is estimated at 250bn Euro.

Come to this session to hear how Information is power, how it compares with traditional levers of power and how by sharing information, we can deliver modern, personalised and sustainable public services.

With Tim Kelsey,  Director of Transparency, Cabinet Office; Bernard Jenkin MP, Chair of Public Administration Select Committee and Amyas Morse, Chief Executive of the National Audit Office