Speakers :
Nigel Lockett - Management School, Lancaster University. Talking about his research on eClusters.
Tony McWalter (Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead)
Andy White for the PCG

Date : Wednesday 3rd October
Time : 6 - 8:00pm

Where :
The Walnut suite,
Quality Hotel
West Street
Brighton

Maps:
Closeup Map and Directions
Town Map

A buffet and refreshments will be provided.

Profiles of Speakers

Nigel Lockett

Nigel Lockett is an information management specialist with knowledge and experience gained in both leading academic and dynamic commercial environments. He is concluding a doctorate, researching e-business engagement by SMEs at The Management School, Lancaster University where is also lecturers on e-business programs. He has twelve years senior management experience, including many years as Managing Director of a healthcare company and two years as a divisional Managing Director in a UK plc. He is currently a non-executive and founding director of a small healthcare supplies company in West Yorkshire and an organic glasshouse co-operative in North Yorkshire (www.growingwithgrace.co.uk). Nigel is also a member of the Quakers and Business Group (www.quakerbusiness.org).

Tony McWalter

Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead Born 1945 and educated at St. Benedict's (RC), Ealing, he collected four degrees at Aberystwyth and McMaster Universities, and at University College, Oxford. An ex-poly lecturer for 25 years, in philosophy and computing. He has asked questions about IR35 in the past. See : http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199899/cmhansrd/vo991104/debtext/91104-02.htm

Andy White

Andy White trained as a Naval Architect and started contracting in the early 90s - designing, building, project managing, selling and sometimes operating Hovercraft worldwide. The income from this activity allowed Andy to build up and develop other business interests including a successful US design consultancy and a UK Engineering Agency.

Andy was about to expand his business interests further with the launch of an Internet recruitment site for engineers when IR35, a new tax on knowledge-based contractors, was announced in the Budget in March 1999. Andy realised that if IR35 had existed when he had started contracting he would have been prevented from growing his businesses into the multi-million pound turnover companies they are today, and therefore, other would-be entrepreneurs would be denied this opportunity. Using the website he had intended to launch as an agency to raise awareness of this issue, he rapidly built up an email newsletter readership of some 10,000 of concerned contractors. As a result of requests to provide a voice for the contracting industry, more than 2,000 contractors pledged at least £50, and Andy set up the Professional Contractors Group (a non profit making), becoming its first chairman. The PCG became - and still is - the fastest growing trade association in the country, operating entirely online to co-ordinate lobbying and PR campaigns, and the more traditional membership services to its 14,000 members. Although formed as a single-issue campaign group, in February 2000, the membership voted to become a representative body covering all issues of concern and interest to knowledge-based contractors.

Andy has since stood down as Chairman of the PCG though remains an active member of its Consultative Counsel. He has now set up a web design company, Webtastic Ltd, which specialises in providing expertise to on-line communities through its soft-ware development, Novacaster. It is contracted to PCG to provide admin, web, financial and marketing support. In addition Webtastic works with other trade associations, professional bodies and communities to help them get on-line.