The former MP follows in the footsteps of other political heavyweight speakers

Dame Penny Mordaunt DBE, who held nine ministerial roles across four Cabinet posts during her 14 years as an MP, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the BMF All Industry Conference 2027 in Marrakech in June.

Government once treated trade, defence and development as separate issues. They are now closely linked, and Penny is among the few who have overseen all three.

A Royal Navy Reservist for 10 years, she is the only woman to have served as both Defence Secretary and Minister for the Armed Forces. She led the Department for International Development and, as Minister of State for Trade Policy, oversaw the UK's post-Brexit accession to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership). As Paymaster General, she rebuilt civil contingency and resilience capabilities and established the first cross-government defensive cyber lead.

As Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, she carried the 17th-century Sword of State at King Charles III's Coronation in 2023, the first woman to do so, giving her a global audience that few former Cabinet ministers ever acquire. 

Since leaving Parliament in 2024, Mordaunt has chaired the Coalition for Global Prosperity, advocating the transatlantic partnership and treating development and defence as pillars of national resilience, not discretionary spending.

Mordaunt was made a Dame in the King's Birthday Honours 2025.  She is also still serving in the Royal Naval Reserve as part of Barham Squadron, supporting the fleet mine hunters and bomb disposal teams, following a Reservist and an Honorary Officer career. 

John Newcomb, BMF Executive Chairman, said: "The diversity of posts Penny has held at the heart of government gives her a unique insight and a deep understanding of what makes this country tick. She has an inside track on how trade policy, sanctions architecture and security commitments are made, and what changes when an election cycle turns over."

"Regular attendees will know that Penny follows in the footsteps of other political heavyweight speakers including Michael Portillo (2013), Alistair Campbell (2015), Paddy Ashdown (2017), John Prescott (2019), John Bercow (2021), Alan Johnson (2023) and Harriet Harman (2025). Once again, this session promises to be a highlight of our Conference."

The 2027 BMF All Industry Conference, which takes place in Marrakech from 10-13 June 2027, is fully booked. For merchants or suppliers who haven't secured a place, the BMF has opened a waiting list. Please email Stacey.Lock@bmf.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.

For full information on the Conference, please visit www.bmfconference2027.co.uk