The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has announced the first headline speaker for the All Industry Conference 2015.

Writer, communicator and strategist Alastair Campbell will take to the stage for the final conference session on Day Two (Saturday 20 June). Mr Campbell is best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of strategy.

He played a key role in helping to create New Labour and is broadly credited with coining the phrase for the party’s strategy. During his time in Downing Street, he was involved in all the major policy issues and international crises.

Mr Campbell remains active in politics in Britain and overseas, but now splits his time between writing, speaking, charitable fundraising, consultancy and campaigns. He has written 10 books in the past seven years, is Humanitas Visiting Professor on media at Cambridge University, an ambassador for the Time to Change campaign to raise awareness about mental illness, and is chairman of fundraising for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. He is also passionate in his support of Burnley FC and playing the bagpipes.

At the Conference 2015, he will also join the CBI to lead a Workshop and Q&A session discussing the impact of the newly elected government – following the General Election next May – on UK construction and the building materials industry.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to secure Alastair Campbell as our first headline speaker,” said BMF’s managing director John Newcomb. “His role with Tony Blair and New Labour is the embodiment of our Conference theme – Building Momentum and Focus.

“He specialises in strategy, making change, dealing with the media and crisis management – often at the same time. This promises to be a candid, thought-provoking and highly entertaining session with insights into the world of politics and global events at the very highest level. Michael Portillo was one of the highlights of our last Conference and Alastair Campbell will be the hot ticket for 2015.”