SMMT News

Broad ranging summit to cover diverse industry issues

27 May 2011 #SMMT News

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has today revealed details of four parallel sessions covering finance, exports, low-carbon commercial vehicles and remarketing that will be part of its International Automotive Summit in Westminster on 28 June 2011.

The panel ‘Securing finance and investment’ will be chaired by Richard Parry Jones, Co-Chairman of the Automotive Council, who will outline the Council’s objectives in this field. Ian Henry of AutoAnalysis will present the ‘Invest Now’ report, commissioned by SMMT, which highlights the strength of the UK automotive sector and provides qualified reasons why now is an excellent time to invest. Richard Hill, Head of Automotive Sector at RBS, will explore how businesses can develop a positive, constructive relationship with their bank. While, the final member of the panel, Nick Rodgers, Chief Executive of Ipso Ventures, will present on how companies can be appealing partners for venture capitalists.

Companies looking to expand abroad won’t want to miss the, ‘Reaching new markets: opportunities for overseas investment’ session. It will be chaired by Ian Lockhart, Head of Automotive at UKTI, who will explain how UKTI can help SMEs in their activities overseas. Ian will be joined Professor Mark Jenkins, Director of Research and Professor of Business Strategy at Cranfield School of Management, who will outline the importance of strategy in developing new markets. Delegates will also benefit from the legal expertise of Thomas Thorelli of Thorelli & Associates, who will reveal how companies can most successfully enter the US market. Nick Cunningham of Wragge & Co will give an overview of the legal precautions companies should take when entering developing markets such as India and China.

Michael Hurwitz, Director of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, will explore how government is supporting the transition to cleaner commercial vehicles as part of the, ‘Implementing a low-carbon commercial vehicle fleet’ session. Andrea Thompson, Managing Director of Leyland Trucks, will chair the session and examine the issue from the manufacturer’s perspective. Peter Harris, the Director of Sustainability for Europe at UPS, will explain the company’s  ‘Measure, manage, mitigate’ approach to reducing emissions and how other businesses can apply similar principles.

‘The evolving world of vehicle remarketing’ session will be a must for companies involved in the remarketing industry. Sponsored by Manheim Remarketing, one of the company’s experts will share the stage with a colleague from BCA.

Further details and tickets to the SMMT Summit are available at www.smmtsummit.co.uk, by calling 020 8267 5657 or e-mailing smmt.summit@haymarket.com. Delegate numbers are strictly limited, tickets cost £250 for SMMT members and £400 for non-members.

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