FAC confirms Alex Baker MP as annual conference keynote

Above: Alan Fisher, CEO of FAC.
Courtesy FAC

The member of parliament for Aldershot and Farnborough, Alex Baker, will be the first keynote speaker to address delegates on September 25th.

The event is being held at the Village Hotel in Farnborough and will focus on three major pillars: industry growth potential, sustainability and inclusivity and supply chain complexity and resilience.

Under the first pillar Clive Lewis from Achieving the Difference will speak on the global aerospace outlook and will be followed by supply chain specialist James D and Anne-Lise Scaillierez, the CEO of ARPAS-UK.

Cathy Davis, Technology and Innovation Sustainability Director for BAE Systems will kick off the session on sustainability and inclusivity and will be followed by Paulina Mielech, Head of Programmes at Beagle Aircraft Engineering.

Then Harvey Matthewson, the Advocacy Manager for the charity Aerobility – which FAC supports – will speak next followed by Elsa Hogan, the Vice President at Rolls-Royce Defence.

In the third session Stephen Cowan, Vice President of Supplier Development and Strategic Dual Sourcing at GKN Aerospace, will speak first. 

He will be followed by Andrew Kinniburgh – Director-General, Make UK Defence and  Harriet Wollerton, the Services Director at ADS.

The day will include panel sessions with Q&As as well as speed networking and exhibits plus lunch.

Alan Fisher (above), CEO of FAC, said: “We have chosen three hugely important subjects to cover for our conference and have secured some big names in the sector.

“Alex Baker, the MP for Farnborough, will kick things off and it will give delegates an opportunity hear from a member of the government speaking about our industry.

“We are also grateful to our other speakers which includes those from GKN, ADS, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. 

“The ‘growth potential’ session will look at ‘navigating expansion while supporting regional prosperity’ and the second session will address what opportunities can be delivered through de-carbonisation and green innovation.

“The final session on supply chain complexity and resilience will look at how the sector can prepare for future challenges.

“Our conference has become an important date in the aerospace and aviation calendar and we are at the heart of the industry in Farnborough.

“We are world leaders in aerospace and aviation and have an incredible supply chain of companies – manly SMEs – enabling the global giants to operate successfully.

“Everyone is welcome to the conference – not just our members – and it is a great chance for smaller companies speak with representatives from the huge firms.

“There is also plenty of networking that goes on and I know over the years many deals have been shaken on at our conference.”