Prominent Labour politician Baron Hutton of Furness - former Labour frontbencher in both the Blair and Brown administrations – including work as Work and Pensions Secretary – is to give the keynote address at this year's II Connect 2024 event.
The Third Annual II Connect 2024 event will take place on Thursday May 23, 9am-4pm at the Hallam Conference Centre in London's Marylebone/West End.
A member of the Labour Party, John Hutton MP, now Baron Hutton of Furness and member of the House of Lords served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Barrow and Furness from 1992 to 2010.
A trusted ally of former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown he served in several offices in the cabinet for Labour. Among numerous government roles Hutton was Work and Pensions Secretary from 2005 to 2007, Business Secretary from 2007 to 2008, and Defence Secretary from 2008 to 2009.
After being a part of the Department of Health from 1998, he was made a member of the Privy Councilin 2001. he was made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, replacing his close friend and former flatmate, Alan Milburn.
His position in this role was short lived, however. Following the second resignation of David Blunkett, Hutton was appointed as his replacement in the role of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 2 November 2005.
Hutton was seen as one of Tony Blair's closest supporters but survived in cabinet following Blair's resignation in June 2007 and was moved by new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to be Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which incorporated the bulk of portfolios from the now dissolved Department of Trade and Industry, including Energy security issues which many had expected to be ceded to DEFRA.
Following his move to the House of Lords it was also announced in June 2010, that the Conservative – Lib Dem coalition had asked him to head a commission into public sector pensions.
Outside of politics Hutton has numerous business interests and has written two books: In 2008 Kitchener's Men – The King's Own Royal Lancasters on the Western Front 1915–18. This was followed in 2010 by 'August 1914, Surrender at St. Quentin'.
He has also co-authored the book 'How to be a minister – a 21st-century guide' with Sir Leigh Lewis. It was published in September 2014.
Click here to attend the event which also includes sponsor and speaker slots from Canada Life, Finance Isle of Man, Marlborough, QB Partners, UAP Group and Block Asset Management. Other speakers and panelists include Abbey Wealth, AILO, Blacktower and Nexus to name a few.
