A top line-up of speakers has been announced for the event on 24 February 2015 at Mansion House in the City of London – with tickets now on sale.
Speaking for the motion, and arguing that the financial sector cannot do its job because of excessive regulation will be:
- Sir Malcolm Williamson, Chairman of Friends Life, former Group CEO of Standard Chartered, former President of Visa International and Chairman of Cass Business School's Strategy Board
- Dr Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute, and the author of important books on three free market economists - Hayek, Friedman and von Mises. He is also Vice-President of the Mt. Pelerin Society.
Against the motion – and supportive of efforts to improve financial regulation - will be:
- Sir David Clementi, currently Chairman of Virgin Money, who was formerly Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Chairman of the Prudential, and CEO of Kleinwort Benson
- Lord McFall of Alcluith, who (as John McFall MP) was Chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Committee from 2001 to 2010.
The annual debate has been running since 1996 courtesy of the Futures & Options Association and is established as one of the City’s most entertaining and intellectually stimulating debating forums.
This year’s event, held jointly by the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation and the CISI, will comprise a black-tie dinner followed by the debate itself.
For the third year running, the debate will be moderated by Angela Knight FCSI(Hon), the former City Minister, who subsequently ran the British Bankers’ Association during the financial meltdown, and who has latterly been the public face of the oil and gas industry as CEO of Energy UK. She is pictured moderating last year's debate.
The audience will be invited to have their say and vote, at the end of the debate, on whether they agree or disagree with the motion.
There will be approximately 25 tables of 10, plus a Club Table for individuals or smaller groups. Institutions will be able to buy one or more tables. There are also opportunities for corporate sponsorship.
To book a place, please use this
application form
