back to menuI cannot believe that there is anyone among Consumer News readers who is unaware that we are off to Derwent College, York on 10th to 12th September where we shall enjoy an ambitious programme of forums, workshops, and social events. Should you want a Conference brochure before booking, then phone Esther Rose (01235 520 786) and ask her to send you one. It is the last conference before the new millennium, and not to be missed!
Below is some background to the speakers at the two major sessions.
A panel of speakers will discuss with the audience the theme of the conference - "Consumer Consultation in the new Millennium". Here are the speakers:
Tony Singleton is head of the Cabinet Office Service First Unit’s Consultation Policy Team.
He has particular responsibility for promoting best practice in consultation techniques and manages the People’s Panel Project.
Annette Lovell works for BT. She has the responsibility for identifying and managing consumer issues which are identified through BT’s consultation programme. She works regularly with groups of consumers and representatives from consumer organisations.
She is a lay member of the Compliance and Supervision Committee of the Law Society and has recently been appointed to the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Kent.
Andrew Barnett was appointed Head of Public Affairs for the National Consumer Council in April, with responsibility for media and government relations, publications and liaison with consumer groups.
He was previously with HSBC, handling the bank’s public relations for small and medium sized businesses, the EMU and the Millennium Bug.
Caroline Banks, Director of Consumer Affairs at the Office of Fair Trading, has held posts in the Consumer Affairs Division and the Competition Policy Division and, as Principal Finance and Establishment Officer, was responsible for the OFT’s budget and personnel and administration functions.
As well as being Chairman of NfCG, Marie Jennings is Chairman of the Money Management Council, and Deputy Chairman of the Insurance Ombudsman’s Council
She is a member of the Consumer Education Forum of the Financial Services Authority and author of many books ranging from consumer affairs through business ethics to communication and personal finance.
Catherine Reynolds
Catherine Reynolds is Head of Communications for the Institute of Food Research. As well as being a communicator she is a scientist. She spent twelve years as a researcher in the IFR Microbiology Department working on projects associated with food safety and food intolerance, has presented numerous papers at scientific conferences in Europe and has been widely published in scientific literature.
Christine Farnish
Christine Farnish is the Director of Consumer Relations at the Financial Services Authority. One of her responsibilities is the setting up of a single Financial Services Ombudsman and Compensation Scheme.
Her other responsibilities include managing a programme of consumer research, providing policy advice and support to the FSA Consumer Panel and leading the ‘league table’ project on the provision of comparable information to consumers.
Diana Whitworth
Diana Whitworth was appointed Chief Executive of the Carers’ National Association in March, having been Head of Public Affairs at the National Consumer Council for the previous eight years.
She has always championed the consumer cause and has had many years experience of social policy work and expertise in public affairs and campaigning. She is a member of the policy board of Internet Watch (a self regulatory body).
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