Speaker Profiles

2012 Speakers announced

Ellen MacArthur DBE

Dame Ellen MacArthur first hit the headlines in 2001 when she raced single-handedly non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe when only 24 years old. Ellen's current and unexpected direction was a result of her competitions at sea, which gave her a very real understanding of what it means to rely on a finite supply of resources, as on the boat food, water and fuel were inescapably linked to success or failure.

Five years ago this inspired a new journey, spending time with local and national governments, scientists and working across key industry sectors to understand how on land too we rely on finite resources in the form of materials, energy and water. It was through this realisation that Ellen made the difficult decision to end her professional racing career and focus on a still greater challenge.

Ellen's search for solutions to these challenges led her to discover a framework for re-design and the idea of shifting from our ultimately limited linear to economy to one that is re-generative by nature. In September 2010 she launched the Ellen MacArthur Foundation with the goal of “accelerating the transition to a regenerative, circular economy”. The Foundation works in the three areas of business, education and communication. Not surprisingly - this is the most exciting project that Ellen has worked on to date, and, like with her sailing she is totally immersed in it! www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Peter Fitzgerald Director of Retail, Google UK

Stephen Robertson Director General, British Retail Consortium

Stephen was appointed Director General of British Retail Consortium in 2008. Based in Westminster, Edinburgh and Brussels, the BRC represents UK retail, large and small, in lobbying governments and near-government organisations, as well as producing key retail data. Stephen appears frequently on TV, radio and press to discuss business issues. Stephen’s career has spanned 14 years on the boards of major UK retailers building on earlier management roles with Mars Inc, Unilever and Alberto-Culver.

Stephen served for seven years as Marketing Director at B&Q plc before leading the acquisition of Screwfix Direct which he then chaired steering it through a period of strong growth. He went on to become Director of Communications at Kingfisher plc and took the helm of the Ellen MacArthur sponsorship. Followed by three years at Woolworth plc.

In a non-executive capacity, Stephen serves on the boards of Timpson Group (retailer) and Hargreaves Lansdown (financial services). He has previously served as a non-executive at National Portrait Gallery Company and Fresca Group (fresh produce supplier). He is a former Chairman, and now fellow, of the Marketing Society.

Hayley Baddiley Owner & Managing Director, TMB Marketing

Hayley Baddiley is an experienced marketing professional with over 16 years managing a number of well-known consumer brands in the UK including McVities, KP, Youngs, Denby Pottery and Thorntons. Since 2005 she has owned a number of her own businesses including three award-winning restaurants, a start-up pottery enterprise and her main business TMB Marketing which provides marketing consultancy, training, interim services and strategy development for clients around the UK.

Hayley was a finalist in the East Midlands Business Woman of the Year Award, is an IOEE Mentor and has a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to marketing which draws on established principles and theory but focuses on the delivery of practical, real-world solutions and strategies.

Tony Wheeler Managing Director, Peter Jones

Tony Wheeler has been in the John Lewis Partnership for 26 years and has held various senior leadership roles over the past eight years. He is currently Managing Director, Peter Jones, where he is responsible for turnover in excess of £190m and approximately 1100 staff. After finishing his A levels, Tony joined John Lewis Oxford Street and during his career has worked in 9 different shops, and has been Managing Director at Norwich, High Wycombe and Kingston.

Shop-keeping is his passion and he relishes leading a team to deliver market leading results. Tony also has a keen interest in developing people and is often used as a mentor, and has coached for the Partnership at Ashridge Business School and Warwick University.