Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton, will deliver the key-note address at this year's BRC Annual Retail Industry Dinner, which is being held in partnership with The Royal Bank of Scotland and Streamline at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 19 September.
The Rt. Hon. John Hutton was recently appointed Secretary of State for Business in the cabinet reshuffle which followed Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister.
His speech at the Annual Dinner will be the first to be delivered to retailers by a minister from the newly created Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
BRC Director General Kevin Hawkins said: “I am pleased John Hutton has accepted our invitation. The newly created ministry which he heads will have a big say in the future shape of the British retail industry."
"In recent speeches he has been keen to emphasise his pro-businesses credentials and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say specifically on the topic of retail.”
Nick Bradley, Head of Retail, RBS Corporate Banking, said: “As supporters of the Retail Industry, we are honoured to be sponsoring what is regarded as the biggest night in Retail."
"Now in its seventh year, the BRC's Annual Retail Dinner has doubled in size in recent years. We see this as testament to the calibre of guests and speakers the event continues to draw.”
Ed Balls MP was originally scheduled to deliver the address but a cabinet reshuffle following Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister saw him move from the Treasury to become Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
The Rt Hon William Hague MP has been confirmed to deliver this year's after dinner speech. The highly entertaining and much sought-after speaker will uncover the techniques deployed in Prime Minister's Questions as well as provide a string of political anecdotes. BRC Chairman, Sir Geoff Mulcahy, will also address the diners.
This year's dinner is based on the theme of 'eastern promise', reflecting the growing number of retail opportunities in the Asian region.
British Retail Consortium
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