Former CBI director general and Business Ambassador for UK Trade & Investment to address leading GIS professionals 

12 March 2010 - ESRI (UK) today announces that Digby Lord Jones, the high profile former CBI director general and business ambassador for UK Trade & Investment, will be a keynote speaker at its Annual Conference in London starting on 10th May 2010.

Lord Jones' speech will focus on how UK government bodies and companies can save money and run more efficiently by factoring in a location-based approach to everyday business decisions. 

Richard Waite, Managing Director, ESRI (UK), commented:

"We are looking forward to hearing Lord Jones' views on how organisations can benefit through the application of geographical thinking to their operations. He is a business pioneer with first-rate government credentials, therefore we're confident delegates will welcome his expertise and vision at one of the leading GIS events of the year."

After leaving the CBI in 2006, Lord Jones spent time in the private sector as advisor to Deloitte and Barclays Capital, as well as being the unpaid UK Skills Envoy. In 2007 he was appointed Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment, and became a life peer. He is currently Chairman of the International Business Advisory Board at HSBC, Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Limited, and is Corporate Ambassador for Jaguar Cars and JCB.

The ESRI (UK) Annual Conference 2010, entitled: `Shaping your Vision', is a two-day event which will explore how GIS technology can improve decision-making across organisations. The event aims to attract over 500 delegates across the public and private sector interested in future applications of GIS technology.

The event will feature plenary presentations from a range of visionary business and government leaders, as well as industry scenarios and a technology showcase, introducing ArcGIS 10, ESRI's major new software release.

Delegates attending can share knowledge and insights with their peers, and ESRI (UK) industry and technology specialists, from a range of market sectors, including: local and central government, defence and national security, utilities, telecommunications, public safety and the private sector. The conference will feature a focus on GIS capability, addressing cross-sector functions across enterprises.

 An awards dinner will take place on Monday 10 May, aimed at acknowledging organisations who have demonstrated visionary thinking in their development and application of GIS solutions. During the conference there will be a dedicated exhibition for ESRI (UK) partners, enabling them to promote their GIS solutions to conference delegates.

For further information on the ESRI (UK) Annual Conference 2010, or to apply for `Early Bird' registration, visit: www.shapingyourvision.co.uk

About ESRI (UK)

ESRI (UK) (www.esriuk.com) is part of the global ESRI network. With the single, largest pool of GIS expertise in the UK, the company is the technical authority on GIS. ESRI (UK) provides solutions, technology and services including off the shelf applications built on the ArcGIS software suite and an extensive range of consulting and training services.

ESRI (UK)'s offerings meet a range of business needs in different markets including Business, Local & Central Government, Defence, Public Safety, Utilities and Telecommunications, as well as catering for system integrators and application developers through the ESRI Developer Network.

ESRI (UK)'s customers include both public sector clients such as Leeds City Council, Metropolitan Police, DCLG, The Environment Agency and businesses including Thames Water, RSA Group and The AA.

ESRI (UK) helps businesses become more profitable and public service more efficient through the better use of geographic information. The ability to understand customers' needs and harness the power of GIS for the long-term benefit of organisations is what we call Visionary Thinking

For more information please visit www.esriuk.com