Parliamentarians and dignitaries gathered at the House of Lords to promote glass's past and its future impact

A Glass Industry and supply chain centric lunch was held at the House of Lords on Wednesday 23rd March 2022 sponsored by Lord David Prior, Chairman of NHS England, with principal guests Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBI President and Lee Rowley MP, Industry Minister at The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The lunch, orchestrated by Glass Futures and British Glass in support of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity Fund, set out to celebrate the United Nation’s International Year of Glass 2022 which seeks to promote glass, its past significance and its positive future impact. The dinner was attended by over 80 delegates including a number of international senior representatives of multi-national glass manufacturers.

The Age of Glass initiative demonstrates how the glass community is supporting UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (UNSDG 2030 agenda), (1)responsible production and sustainability; (2) innovation and infrastructure; (3) affordable and clean energy; (4) climate action; (5) education and gender equality.

Over lunch, a number of prestigious speakers, introduced by Richard Katz, Glass Futures’ CEO, spoke about their passion for the future of glass:

• The Lord David Prior of Brampton, Chairman of NHS England, celebrated the glass sector’s ambitious vision, which brought about Glass Futures.
• Lee Rowley MP spoke in support of the industry, understanding the difficulties currently faced around energy security and pricing and invited further engagement.
• Lord Karan Bilimoria, president of the CBI and Founder of Cobra Beer, spoke about his glass experiences and about coming together to overcome challenges.
• Leigh Baildham, Chairman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers’ Charity Fund, outlined the importance of the Charity’s ‘Glass in Society’ Project reaching out to education to encourage a life-long interest in STEM subjects, particularly science with specific reference to glass.
• Dave Dalton, CEO of The British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation called for further action to keep the UK’s domestic glass industry on a positive financial footing and called on continued investment in innovation

"At this time of extreme energy prices, we were delighted BEIS Industry Minister, Lee Rowley MP, and CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, together with a number of MPs, BEIS and UKRI officers, could join senior representatives from regional authorities and the glass industry at the House of Lords lunch. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring the glass industry together in the same room as key decision makers, whilst raising funds for the Glass Sellers Charity Fund in celebrating the United Nations international Year of Glass 2022.

Glass Futures aims to accelerate collaboration across the global glass supply chain to support the industry’s sustainability journey, demonstrate and deliver disruptive technologies and generate new ideas with a positive impact all the way through to the consumer."

Said Richard Katz

"It was an honour and a privilege to both attend and speak at the House of Lords reception celebrating glass in the 2022 International Year of Glass programme and in celebration of the achievements the industry has made on carbon reduction and process technology efficiency improvements.

Parliamentarians and dignitaries gathered to celebrate both what has been done already, but more importantly the continuing work of the sector through British Glass, Glass Futures and Glass Technology Services, driving the agenda for all foundation sector industries and for UK manufacturing excellence."

Said Dave Dalton