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About the Speech: With a referendum now a matter of “when” not “if”, the British people will soon be voting on Britain’s future in the European Union. Whilst the 45 million people eligible to vote will consider a wide range of factors in their decision, the impact of the UK’s relationship with the EU on jobs and growth is one of the most important. In his keynote address, CBI President, Paul Drechsler analysed the benefits and drawbacks of EU membership for business, examined the alternatives and set out a business vision for a reformed EU, which works better for firms in the UK, Ireland and across the continent.
About the Speaker: Prior to being appointed President of the UK’s leading business group, the Confederation of British Industry, Paul Drechsler served as a member of the CBI Board since 2012 and was Chairman of the CBI Energy Policy Committee between 2007 and 2012 and a member of the Chairmen’s Committee. Mr Drechsler joined The Wates Group in September 2004 and became Chairman and Chief Executive in April 2006 until 2014. Prior to joining Wates, Mr Drechsler worked for ICI PLC, spending the first ten years of his career on Teesside. Mr Drechsler was the Chief Executive of one of ICI’s principal international businesses and was a Main Board Director (1998-2003). He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with an (Honours) degree in Engineering Science. In February 2015, he was confered with an Honorary CBE for services to the construction industry.
