Ed Balls to headline 2017 hospitality summit

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Ed Balls to headline 2017 hospitality summit

Related tags Bha

Former shadow chancellor and Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls has been announced as keynote speaker at this year’s hospitality and tourism summit in London.

Balls will share his political insights with industry members on 6 June, just two days before the general election.

Journalist Steve Richards, who present’s Radio 4’s A Week in Politics, is also set to address the summit with stories from the campaign trail.

“Curbs on EU immigration, business rate rises, the threat from home-sharing platforms – all these issues facing hospitality have a political dimension,” said Richards. “I look forward to discussing it all at the Summit. And we will have some fun too.”

This year’s event has seen the British Hospitality Association (BHA) collaborate with other industry organisations to run four summits in one. Sessions will focus on restaurants and changing eating out habits, the aviation industry, technology, and the growing serviced apartment sector.

Other speakers include Kricket founder Rik Campbell, YO! Sushi CEO Robin Rowland and Wahaca co-founder Mark Selby.

The event will be held in London at the Grand Connaught Rooms.

“We make no apology about introducing a political theme to our Summit but along with that we have a fantastic line up of topics and speakers this year which should be of interest to many sectors of our industry,” said BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim.

“Coupled with the timing of the election and the launch of the BHA’s own manifesto for politicians of all parties, the day promises to be one not to miss.”