Glass Futures
Parliamentarians and dignitaries gather at the House of Lords to promote glass’s past and future impact A glass industry and supply chain centric lunch was held at the House of Lords on Wednesday 23rd March 2022. It was sponsored by Lord David Prior, Chairman of NHS England, with principal guests Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBI President and Lee Rowley MP, Industry Minister at The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
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he lunch, orchestrated by Glass Futures and British Glass in support of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity Fund, set out to celebrate the United Nation’s International Year of Glass 2022. The year seeks to promote the past significance and positive future of glass. The dinner was attended by over 80 delegates including a number of international senior representative of multi-national glass manufacturers. The Age of Glass initiative demonstrates how the glass community is supporting UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (UNSDG 2030 agenda), (1) responsible production and sustainability; (2) innovation and infrastructure; (3) affordable and clean energy; (4) climate action; (5) education and gender equality. Over lunch, a number of prestigious
speakers, introduced by Richard Katz, Glass Futures’ CEO, spoke about their passion for the future of glass: � The Lord David Prior of Brampton, Chairman of NHS England, celebrated the ambitious vision of the glass sector which brought about Glass Futures. � Lee Rowley MP spoke in support of the industry, understanding of the difficulties currently faced around energy security and pricing, and invited further engagement. � Lord Karan Bilimoria, president of the CBI and Founder of Cobra Beer, spoke about his experiences of glass and about coming together to overcome challenges. � Leigh Baildham, Chairman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers’ Charity Fund, outlined the importance of the Charity’s ‘Glass in Society’ Project
reaching out to education to encourage a life-long interest in STEM subjects, particularly science with specific reference to glass. � Dave Dalton, CEO of The British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation called for further action to keep the UKs domestic glass industry on a positive financial footing and called on continued investment in innovation Richard Katz said: “At this time of extreme energy prices, we were delighted BEIS Industry Minister, Lee Rowley MP, and CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, together with a number of MPs, BEIS and UKRI officers, could join senior representatives from regional authorities and the glass industrys at the House of Lords lunch. It was a fantastic opportunity
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