Essex Paralympian and chief economists to headline IoD Essex business breakfast

ESSEX, UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 26, 2021 / FOUR-time Great Britain Paralympian Hannah Stodel has been announced as the guest speaker of a special Institute of Directors Christmas breakfast.

The 36-year-old, who was the first disabled sailor to sail non-stop around Britain and Ireland, has her sights on her next milestone – The Vendee of the Globe. 

In 2024, Hannah aims to become the first disabled athlete in history to take on what is regarded as the toughest race in sailing, the 24,000 miles non-stop unassisted circumnavigation of the world.

Hannah is the headline guest of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Essex meeting at Braxted Park, Witham on November 24th.

The event will also feature IoD Chief Economist Kitty Ussher who will provide an economic forecast and the Bank of England’s Phil Eckersley, who will provide an ‘off the record’ look at the UK economy.

Mr Eckersley, a former economics and mathematics teacher, will offer insights into the current situation on inflation, unemployment and GDP as well as trends in 2021 and beyond. There will also be a chance for questions.

IoD Essex chair, Alison Shadrack said she is delighted to invite businesses to the 2021 IoD Essex Chair’s Christmas Breakfast and provide the opportunity to join fellow business leaders for a morning of interesting conversation and fascinating speakers.

She said: “As our flagship Essex event, this is an opportunity to hear from an incredible line-up of speakers and connect with directors and business leaders from across the region in a stunning venue. It is wonderful to be able to host face-to-face events again, and we expect this to be a highly popular occasion.”

Spaces for the IoD Essex Chair’s Christmas Breakfast, sponsored by Tees Law, on November 24 from 7.30am to 10.30am are limited so booking is essential to secure a place.

Prices are £35 plus VAT for IoD members and £50 plus VAT for non-members.

For more information and booking visit www.iod.com/events-community/events/event-details/eventdateid/33870

Speakers:

Hannah Stodel:

At 14 years old Hannah saw Paralympic sailing as a weaker option to her career, having been successfully racing on the able-bodied circuit all over the world. Already a world champion in her own right, 1999 offered a life-changing decision thanks to Atlanta gold medallist, Andy Cassells- the Paralympics or the Olympics? Andy offered her the chance to train with him in the run-up to the Sydney Paralympic games, and the rest, as they say, is history. Hannah’s achievements include,

triple world champion, 17 world cup gold medals, BT YJA young sailor of the year 1998, and youngest ever sailor in the Paralympic games.

Phil Eckersley

Phil started with the Bank of England in 1987 having spent three years teaching economics and mathematics in Southeast London.

After four years working as a statistician on money supply data, Phil moved to the management's accounts office in the Bank, providing detailed cost briefing to Governors and Directors.

In 1994 Phil joined the Bank of England's agency network, between 1994 and 2002 acting as Deputy Agent in the South East and East Anglia moving on in 2002 to become Agent for Northern Ireland; then in October 2008 he was appointed to be the Agent in the South East and East Anglia.

Kitty Ussher

Kitty Ussher is a UK macroeconomist and public policy research professional, most recently Chief Economic Advisor at the cross-party think-tank Demos.

A former MP for Burnley, her government experience includes serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury during the early phase of the financial crisis (2007-08) and also as a junior minister at the Department for Work and Pensions (2008-09). Previously she was a special adviser at the Department for Trade and Industry, and a local government councillor in Lambeth.

Since stepping back from active politics in 2010, she has devised and delivered public policy thought leadership research projects both through Demos and her own company Tooley Street Research.