Final panelists to join resigned trade minister at WSTA conference

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 05 September, 2017

The final panelists for the WSTA’s international trade-themed annual conference have been revealed.

Miriam González Durántez, partner at international law firm, Dechert LLP, and Sir Simon Fraser, managing partner at business advisory firm Flint Global, are due to speak at the annual trade event, each giving their own views on the UK’s position within the global market.

They will be joined by previously confirmed speakers, Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, and Lord Price, who resigned as Minister of State for Trade Policy only two days ago.

The event at the Royal Institution of Great Britain on Tuesday (September 12) will be the one of the first opportunities to hear Lord Price’s views on Brexit since resigning.

The former Waitrose MD announced on September 3 that he was stepping down after a year in the role to pursue business and writing interests, although there has been speculation that the peer did not back Theresa May's Brexit plans.

He will be replaced in the role by MP Greg Hands, who has been Minister of State for Trade and Investment since July 2016.

At the conference, each panelist will provide their own insight on this year’s theme: ‘Trading Spaces: Creative partnerships with the EU and the rest of the world’.

A year on from the last conference, and 15 months since the UK referendum, the WSTA’s chief exec Miles Beale said: “We are more educated, better prepared and clearer about what we want our government to deliver for our industry, but it’s still a time of great uncertainty.”

Looking at new global opportunities and maintaining “historic trade routes” will be focus of the event, he added, and will be a priority going forward for the WSTA, which represents over 300 wine and spirit companies in the UK.

From 2010 to 2015, Sir Simon Fraser was the head of the UK Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service.

He has also led the UK Department for Business.

Within Flint, Fraser leads on advice to clients on Brexit and international policy issues.

Miriam González Durántez is a partner of international law firm Dechert LLP where she is co-chair of the firm’s International Trade and Government Regulation practice, focusing on international and EU trade law and policy.

Panel discussions will be led by Alex Forrest, former ITV political correspondent.

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