Rebecca Battman, an experienced brand and marketing professional who is recognised as a leader in her field and was an advisor to the Design Council in its Design in Manufacturing programme 2005, will explain how branding and customer focus are key to competitiveness and business success.

Other expert speakers and topics will include Nick Heyes from the DTI Marine Unit explaining the findings from the sector competitiveness analysis of the UK leisure boatbuilding industry and Professor Ajit Shenoi of the University of Southampton talking on research and design in small craft structures.

Other topics include support for innovation by the Innovation Advisory Service SE;

composite materials technologies for marine and the support available from the National Composites Network; productivity improvement using lean techniques from the Manufacturing Advisory Service; how attention to energy efficiency and managing waste can make cost savings by the BMF/RYA Green Blue team and, from 3M, the latest Health & Safety solutions for the marine industry.

The Heritage Motor Museum and Conference Centre has what is said to be the world's finest collection of historic British cars and delegates will have free access to the museum.

The venue is close to Junction 12 of the M40 and the forum is free to BMF members. Nonmembers are also welcome at a cost of £75 per place.

The number of places is limited, so register as soon as you can by emailing Carole Abel at cabel@britishmarine. co. uk