Former cabinet secretary and chair of RCGP to deliver keynotes at ukactive summit

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell and professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, the chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), have been named as keynote speakers for this year's ukactive National Summit.

O'Donnell was Britain’s most senior civil servant under three Prime Ministers – Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron – serving as head of the British Civil Service from 2005 to 2011.

In May this year, he co-authored a report as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics, recommending that government policy should be targeted at the wellbeing of the people and not at economic growth.

At the summit, O'Donnell will deliver a keynote outlining the vision behind the shift, outlining what it could mean for the "way we live, work and play".

As chair of the UK’s largest Medical Royal College, professor Helen Stokes-Lampard represents more than 52,000 family doctors across the UK.

She will join an expert panel to address the role of activity and prevention in the NHS Long-Term Plan, which presents a clear opportunity for physical activity providers to reduce the burden on the NHS.

O'Donnell and Stokes-Lampard will be joined on the list of keynote speakers by Caroline Casey, the founder of The Valuable 500, an initiative aiming to put disability on the business leadership agenda. Casey will deliver a speech on the mission of The Valuable 500, which is committed to building a global movement on inclusive business for the 1.3 billion people in the world with a disability.

“Lord O’Donnell will address one of the most important debates facing our sector today – the future role of physical activity in delivering the government’s prevention strategy," said ukactive CEO Huw Edwards.

“Caroline Casey’s personal story and global initiative will offer an incredible opportunity for the sector to demonstrate its leadership by committing to improve disability inclusion.

“And Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard will bring her incredible experience and unrivalled vision to the conversation that seeks to transform our view of frontline health services."

The keynotes will be at the heart of the summit's agenda, which will this year explore the future of public health, the workplace and the high street.

The theme for the event is "The Backbone of a Modern Britain", positioning physical activity – and the sectors that deliver it – as critical to the future health, wellbeing and prosperity of the nation.

To find out more about the summit and to secure tickets,click here for the ukactive website.