Sessions & Speakers
THE ELECTRIC SWITCH

14:45
WHAT'S THE STORY
Electric cars may be the future, but what will it take for us to switch on? Manufacturers are pouring millions into developing new electric models, but how can we get consumers excited by electric power – in the same way there’s passion for the exhaust sound and induction roar of a V8 petrol engine? Can we create electric enthusiasts from petrol-heads?

Justin Webb
Editor
Justin Webb is an experienced journalist who has worked for the BBC since 1984. Justin presents the Today Programme on BBC Radio Four and is a former North America Editor. He has an Economics degree from the London School of Economics.

Guido Reinking
Journalist and Automotive Expert
Guido Reinking is one of Germany's most prominent automotive journalists. After receiving a diploma in political science and economy in Hamburg he started at Axel Springer as business editor for 'Bild am Sonntag' and 'Welt am Sonntag.' In 2000 he joined the editorial team of 'Financial Times Deutschland' as its Automotive Correspondent. From 2006 to 2014 he worked for 'Automobilwoche', Germany's number one trade publication for the industry, as Chief Editor. In 2015 he founded Guido Reinking Automotive Press, an agency for content, publications and media relations. He is publisher of the magazine 'Mobilität von Morgen.'

Ian Callum
Jaguar Director of Design
Ian Callum is the Jaguar Director of Design. Ian completed a course in Industrial Design at Glasgow School of Art, followed by a two-year course in Automobile Design at the Royal College of Art. Ian spent the first 12 years of his career at the Ford design studios, where he contributed to the creation of the Escort RS Cosworth and the Ghia Via Concept. Later, as Chief Designed of TWR Design, he was responsible for the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish. Ian joined Jaguar in 1999, heralding an exciting new era for the brand; each of his cars takes the design further and continues to reinforce Jaguar as a creator of ‘fast beautiful cars’.

Jonny Smith
Motoring Journalist, Broadcaster and Car Enthusiast
Jonny’s journey as an award-winning motoring journalist began in 1998, driving and writing about new, classic and customised vehicles. Since 2006 he has presented car and engineering-themed TV shows for Channel 5, Discovery, ITV, History and the BBC. He's probably best known for 15 series of Fifth Gear and, most recently, appearing on the Fully Charged YouTube channel. In 2016 Jonny's eccentric 1970s electric hot rod project become the world's quickest street-legal EV. It is only nine feet long and has over 1,000 horsepower. The 0-121mph in 9.8 seconds record still stands.

KT Tunstall
Singer-songwriter
Singer-Songwriter KT Tunstall emerged with her 2004 classic debut Eye To The Telescope spawning such international hits as 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' and 'Suddenly I See', which won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song in 2006. That same year she won her first BRIT Award for Best British Female Artist, and earned Grammy and Mercury Prize nominations in 2007. KT is an owner and advocate for electric cars.

Mai Ikuzawa
Brand Consultant and Creative Director
Mai Ikuzawa is a Brand Consultant and Creative Director, as well as a part-time stunt-driver. Her father was a cult motorsport hero and she grew up at the racetracks of Japan and Europe. Fused with her exceptional creative edge and native understanding of both Japanese and European cultures, Ikuzawa has acquired a strong foothold across the world of cars, sports, fashion, films, art and technology. With this unique insight, she is able to introduce brands to new audiences and carefully identify opportunities that extend beyond their usual markets. Clients include Rolls-Royce, BMW, Aston Martin, Universal Pictures and Nike. Ikuzawa divides her time between London, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Tokyo.

Richard Bruce
Director of Energy, Technology and Innovation, UK Department for Transport
Richard leads on policy to move the nation’s road transport onto a more sustainable footing, maximising the economic opportunities for the UK from the move into future mobility. His teams direct and deliver UK-wide policies and programmes worth around £1bn on low and ultra-low emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, air quality, putting innovative new technology on the roads, overseeing related Government R&D expenditure and international negotiation of regulations on vehicle safety and emissions.