Delegates numbering 250 from the DIY, garden and housewares sectors as well as media members are set to attend the BHETA Networking Forum on November 3, where lead speaker will be Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director PJ Davis.

It will be the first public presentation of the UK Bunnings business since its acquisition of Homebase earlier this year. The event is open to members and non-members at a cost of £45 and £95 respectively.  It will take place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry and the price includes free car parking and a networking buffet lunch.  The event will start at 10 am with registration from 9.30 am.

In his presentation Mr Davis will reflect on the initiatives, changes and progress of the business since the acquisition and shed light on the strategy and future roll out of Bunnings stores, setting out what the business stands for in the UK and the opportunities for suppliers.  He will be one of four speakers in what BHETA promises to be an informative, insightful and thought provoking business session.

CBI (Confederation of British Industry) deputy director general Josh Hardie will be exploring what the DIY and garden market might look like in post-Brexit Britain.  His presentation will also include the wider perspective on the issues that face UK PLC based on an overview of the CBI’s ninety thousand members.  Mr Hardie brings with him recent retail experience as the former group director for corporate responsibility with Tesco stores.

Another highlight of the day will be Victoria Neuhofer from FN Neuhofer HOLZ of Austria reprising her closing speech from this year’s Global DIY Summit in Stockholm.  Her presentation includes a compelling case for the need to grasp the digital and online nettle to talk to the DIY and garden customers of tomorrow, questioning how many supplier companies are fully ready to do so.  Continuing the technology theme, Insight Retail group managing director Steve Collinge will present on the '4th Industrial Revolution' and how breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, supply chain innovation and 3D printing are likely to transform the future of the industry.

The Forum will close with a moderated Q&A panel session.Further applications to attend the forum should be made to sh@bheta.co.uk or the Member Services team on 0121 237 1130 as soon as possible.