CBI reveals line-up for its annual conference

The role of business in tackling climate change, private equity - the model and the management - plus ways of rebuilding public trust in corporate Britain will top the bill at the CBI's annual conference next month.

Conservative party leader, David Cameron will kick-start the discussion on climate change, Stephen Schwarzman, the chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone will shape the debate on private equity and former BBC director general, Greg Dyke will provide his unique insights on corporate reputation.

With business firmly in the political spotlight following the fall-out from the recent credit crunch and pre-budget report, Chancellor Alistair Darling will be keen to present his economic and pro-business credentials to Britain's corporate leaders at this year's event.

Liberal Democrat contenders for the party leadership, Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, will also be presenting their business credentials.

CBI Director-General, Richard Lambert said: At a time when corporate leaders are coming under ever greater scrutiny, this year's CBI conference will touch on the issues that matter to customers, shareholders and the public at large - transparency in company ownership, responsible corporate behaviour and concrete business plans for tackling climate change.

A formidable cast of business and political speakers will debate how private equity is changing the economy, what businesses can do in the face of climate change and how companies can improve the standing of corporate Britain.

For those in business, this interactive event is a must. It offers delegates a unique opportunity to learn, to challenge and have their say on all the issues of the moment.

This year's interactive conference will be sponsored by professional services firm Deloitte and recruitment specialists Harvey Nash and will take place on 26/27 November at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Writer and broadcaster Jeff Randall will chair the debate on private equity with Philip Yea, chief executive of 3i, Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, CEO & founder of Blackstone, Tim Parker, former chief executive of the AA, Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, John Connolly, chief executive and senior partner at Deloitte, and Kitty Ussher MP, economic secretary HM Treasury.

The session on climate change will be chaired by Adam Boulton, Sky News political editor and debated by Ben Verwaayen, chief executive of BT and chairman of the CBI Climate Change Task Force, Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Secretary of State DEFRA, Phillippe Varin, chief executive at Corus, and Robert Napier, chairman of the Met Office.

The debate on business reputation will be led by Patience Wheatcroft, former editor of the Sunday Telegraph and will feature Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways and CBI president, Greg Dyke, Steve Easterbrook, chief executive of McDonald's, Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, Albert Ellis, chief executive at Harvey Nash, and Gary Hoffman, group vice-chairman, Barclays.

Albert Ellis said: A company's reputation and brand is one of the most important factors in its ability to recruit and retain talent. It's the main reason why the future employees of 'Generation Y' would rather work for companies with strong brands and contemporary values, like Apple or Google.

Reputation is increasingly shaped by an organisation's intangible values, its broader contribution to society and the impact of its activities on the environment. We are once again delighted to be a lead sponsor of the CBI Interactive Conference 2007.