Conference speakers

Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabled People

Jonathan Shaw was appointed Minister for Disabled People in October 2008 in the Department for Work and Pensions. Prior to this he was a Parliamentary Under-Secretary at Defra where his responsibilities covered marine and fisheries, landscape, inland waterways, rural affairs and local environment quality. He is also the regional minister for the South East. In this role he represents regional interests in the formulation of central government policy, acts as a champion for the region and facilitates a joined up approach across government.

Paul Flatters, Managing Partner, Trajectory

Bringing expertise in analysing and forecasting social and consumer trends, Paul helps clients understand how markets and consumers are changing - and how they can benefit from that change. www.trajectorypartnership.com

Ben Page, Chairman, Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute

Ben Page is Managing Director of Ipsos MORI Public Affairs and Chairman of the Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute, renowned for its surveys examining quality of life, service delivery, customer care, communications and the democratic deficit.  www.ipsos-mori.com

Giles Long MBE, three times Gold Paralympics medalist

Giles Long is one of the most successful and well-respected Paralympic swimmers of our time. Drawing on his own career, Giles illustrates the importance of every individual as a leader, how they can use positive change to their advantage, and the intrinsic link between being inspired and being motivated. www.gileslong.com

Susan Scott Parker OBE, Chief Executive, Employers' Forum on Disability

Susan Scott Parker is founder and chief executive of Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD), the world's leading employers' organisation working to the mutual benefit of employers and people with disabilities. Since its establishment in 1991, EFD's circa 400 private and public sector members have worked closely with disabled people, government and other stakeholders, making it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.  

Bela Gor, Legal Director, Employers' Forum on Disability

Bela Gor is a leading expert on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) and an experienced trainer on disability law and practice. She also writes EFD publications and articles for national and trade press.

Dr Stephen Duckworth, Chief Executive, Disability Matters Ltd. 

Dr Stephen Duckworth OBE, is the founder and chief executive of Disability Matters Ltd., which specialises in bringing talented disabled people into organisations and helping them develop their careers to achieve leadership positions. He is also an EFD Associate, a member of the Board of the Olympic Delivery Authority, a Member of the Council of the University of Southampton and a Non-executive Director of four growing businesses. www.disabilitymatters.com

Phil Friend, Director, Minty & Friend and Chairman of RADAR

Dr Phil Friend OBE, FRSA  has worked for over 20 years in equality issues at a senior level for government, blue chip companies and key disability and diversity organisations in the UK, Europe and the USA. He is Chair of RADAR, Vice President of the National Supporters Association, an associate of EFD and a Winston Churchill Fellow.  www.mintyandfriend.com

Simon Minty, Director, Minty & Friend

Simon is an Associate to the Employer's Forum on Disability, Broadcasters and Creative Industries Disability Network and is a Director of the Soho Theatre. He works both in the UK and internationally with corporations and governments to improve their employment and service delivery to disabled people. www.mintyandfriend.com

Kate Nash, Director, Kate Nash Associates

Kate has 20 years experience in working with the business community, assisting their path to ‘disability confidence'. Kate Nash Associates (KNA) was established in 2007 and recently published best practice guidance for Disabled Employee Networks.  KNA will be rolling out a series of events and services for network co-ordinators throughout 2009/10. From 2001 - 2006 Kate was Chief Executive of RADAR, the leading human rights organisation of disabled people.   www.katenashassociates.com

Rick Williams, Director, Freeney Williams Ltd.

Rick Williams is Managing Director of Freeney Williams, one of the UK's leading consultancies in the field of disability and diversity. He has written guidance for the former DRC, helped develop Disability Equality Schemes, and developed major training programmes. Clients include many large private sector organisations and Government departments.  www.freeneywilliams.com

James Partridge, Chief Executive, Changing Faces

Before setting up Changing Faces (a UK charity supporting and representing people with disfigurements) in 1992, James worked in public health in the NHS, dairy farming and teaching in Guernsey.  He writes and presents widely on diversity and disfigurement themes in the UK and internationally. He is also a member of Sir Nigel Crisp's Independent Panel on Leadership and Race Equality within the National Health Service, and sits on the National Judging Committee of UK Skills.  www.changingfaces.org.uk

Find out more about the conference programme here