Hosted by the TaxPayers’ Alliance
Monday, 6th October | 12.45pm – 1.45pm
Britain’s entrepreneurs face rising taxes, red tape and hostility from a bloated bureaucracy. As the Conservatives plot their route back to power, they must choose: back wealth creators or appease pen-pushers?
Speakers:
Darwin Friend, head of research, Taxpayers’ Alliance (Chair)
Darwin returned to the TaxPayers’ Alliance in November 2023 and is responsible for leading the research team. He was previously a researcher and policy analyst before working in propositions for a fintech firm. Before joining the TPA, Darwin spent a period working as a researcher for an MP. He graduated in 2019 with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of East Anglia.
Sarah Bool MP
Sarah has been MP for South Northamptonshire since the last general election. She grew up in Rutland and went on to read Modern History at Oriel College, Oxford, after which she moved to London for her Law Degree. Sarah began her training contract at a Magic Circle Law firm in 2012, qualifying as an Associate into Commercial Real Estate in 2014, before moving to a Mayfair based firm in 2017 where she was a Senior Associate until July 2024. Sarah has regularly spoken out for small businesses and entrepreneurs during her first year in parliament.
Georgiana Bristol, chief executive, Jobs Foundation
Georgiana started her career working at Open Europe, moving on to lead the development for a range of public policy and referendum campaigns. She has also worked with various charities, including Venice in Peril, Project Trust and the Imperial War Museum.
Alys Denby, opinion and features editor, City A.M.
Alys is opinion and features editor at City A.M. She was previously editor of CapX and is an experienced broadcaster with appearances on the BBC’s Politics Live, GB News, Talk TV and LBC. She began her career at the Daily Mail, before working in Westminster as a parliamentary researcher.
Lance Forman, Owner, H. Forman & Son
Lance is the owner of H.Forman & Son and Forman & Field. He is also Vice Chair of IBN – Independent Business Network and a Board Member of Conservative Friends of Israel. He is a former Brexit Party and Conservative Party MEP and former Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry. He authored Forman’s Games – The Dark Underside of the London Olympics. He obtained his MA from Trinity College, Cambridge in Economics & Management.
Eamonn Ives, research director, The Entrepreneurs Network
Eamonn is the Research Director at The Entrepreneurs Network, having joined in September 2022. In November 2020, he wrote Green Entrepreneurship for The Entrepreneurs Network – with several of the report’s recommendations having since been adopted by the UK Government. Eamonn previously served as a Special Adviser to the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP in his role as the President of COP26. Prior to that, he worked at the Centre for Policy Studies as their Head of Energy and Environment, authoring eight policy reports. Eamonn has featured extensively in the print and broadcast media, writing for CapX, The Times, The Telegraph, CityAM, ConservativeHome, and Reaction, and featuring on BBC Radio 4, LBC, Times Radio, and various podcasts.
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