Join us for the launch of the Institute of Development Studies' Business and Development Centre.

The event will bring together policy makers, business, academia and civil society to consider how the impact of business on development can be improved. There is significant consensus that business has an important role to play in driving innovation, promoting economic growth and improving the wellbeing of communities in poorer countries.

There is significant consensus that business has an important role to play in driving innovation, promoting economic growth and improving the wellbeing of communities in poorer countries. This recognition now needs to be translated into coherent policy and practice that targets efforts and resources more effectively, acknowledges the opportunities and challenges in relation to business contributions and public sector interventions and seeks to scale up pilot projects and partnerships. This event will provide a timely opportunity to discuss how this can be achieved and for participants to hear more about, and contribute their ideas to, the IDS Business and Development Centre's plans to generate much-needed evidence around how this can be achieved.

We are delighted that Shankar Venkateswaran, Chief of Tata Sustainability Group will be joining us to provide a keynote address and other invited speakers include:

• Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for International Development
• Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International
• Alistair Fernie, Head of Private Sector, Department for International Development
• Duncan Learmouth, Senior Vice President, Developing Countries and Market Access, GlaxoSmithKline
• Diana Noble, Chief Executive, CDC Group
• Karima Ola, Chief Investment Officer, African Development Corporation
• Chris Brett, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Olam International

The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

Please note that attendance at this event is by invititation only and places are strictly limited. If you would like to nominate a representative from your organisation to attend in your place please contact Hannah Corbett at h.corbett@ids.ac.uk or on 01273 915640.