Keynote speaker announced for British Marine National Conference

British Marine has announced that Howard Davies, co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Co., will be speaking at this year’s National Conference programme. Davies’ talk will focus innovating to succeed in business.

Davies explains: “Creating innovative products and partnerships is at the heart of Salcombe Distilling Co., ensuring that we have a unique proposition and can succeed in a highly competitive marketplace. The National Conference (https://mymembership.britishmarine.co.uk/national-conference)keynote will cover our story to date, revealing the serious and more light-hearted endeavours that we have used to differentiate our brands and outlining our progressive focus on sustainability.” 

British Marine CEO, Lesley Robinson states: “The National Conference’s spotlight on innovating to succeed could not be better timed. As the marine industry lifts its eyes this year beyond the pandemic, Brexit and related impacts, it will be the companies who disrupt and differentiate that enjoy best success. Salcombe Distilling Co. has already made a significant mark in its own very busy marketplace and innovatively reached into a target audience within the leisure marine community. Howard Davies will provide conference delegates with much to consider for their own businesses and his keynote is highly anticipated.” 

Davies has enjoyed a passionate connection with Salcombe and with sailing since childhood. Following a successful career in management consulting and senior management, Davies returned to the popular Devon estuary destination in 2014 to create Salcombe Distilling Co. with co-founder Angus Lugsdin. The company quickly grew into a 50-employee distillery, experience centre, tasting bar, shop, and gin school in the heart of town with a second retail store in nearby Dartmouth. Salcombe Distilling Co’s distinctive gin and non-alcoholic spirit collections have received notable awards across the world.

Howard Davies is one of many significant speakers scheduled to participate at the event. Others include former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, Olympic medallist and Artemis Technologies CTO, Iain Percy, Innovate UK KTN’s Matthew Moss, Canal & River Trust chief executive, Richard Parry, and BAR Technologies’ CTO, Simon Schofield.

One-day conference passes are on sale from £125 ex VAT per person for British Marine members and £225 ex VAT for non-members. This includes access to the conference on the chosen day, including all talks, workshops and breakout sessions. The two-day pass also includes an invitation to the evening networking and industry awards dinner, hosted by Ed Balls. Attendance will be limited to 300 delegates.

Full Covid-19 measures will be in place that meet or exceed government guidelines.