Delegates at a major ceramics exhibition will get the inside track on going green from one of the UK’s most popular retailers.

Marks and Spencer’s much talked about Plan A is designed to make M&S the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2015.

Now Andrew van Zwanenberg, Technical Manager, Homeware, a leading exponent of Plan A, is to address the Ceramics 2011 conference at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, on 10 November.

Ceramics 2011 brings together leading lights from the industry and its supply chain. It is organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council with the support of North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Ceram and the British Ceramic Confederation

This year’s programme spotlights “a sustainable future” for the industry.

Stuart Adams, Managing Director of Endeka Ceramics, who will also give a key presentation at the event, said: “Marks and Spencer’s Plan A is helping to set the standard for a sustainable future. As ceramics tackles important issues such as sustainability and change it is important that we learn lessons from every kind of industry and I believe Andrew van Zwanenberg will add greatly to our already impressive programme of speakers at Ceramics 2011.”

Held in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent - the world capital of ceramics - Ceramics 2011 provides a major opportunity for people from the pottery industry and beyond to come together to hear about innovations in a rapidly changing industry.

Experts ranging from the Environment Editor of a leading newspaper to pottery industry bosses have been lined up to deliver key speeches and seminars on 10 November.

Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “Sustainability and cutting carbon emissions are the most important challenges facing industry at present.

“I am proud that ceramics companies in Stoke-on-Trent are helping to lead the way but we can all learn from other models such as Marks and Spencer’s acclaimed Plan A.

“Ceramics 2011 looks forward to a new era for the ceramics industry with optimism. Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery companies must position themselves at the forefront of technological advances and sustainable production solutions and our event at the Britannia Stadium will help to show the way forward.”

Seminars at the event will focus on sustainable issues with themes including:

• Waste reduction and re-use
• Supply chain collaboration
• Putting sustainability at the heart of design
• Water consumption
• Profiting from sustainability

The event will conclude with a question and answer session with a panel of experts including Max Dudson, Chief Executive of Dudson Ceramics, Stuart Adams, Managing Director of Endeka Ceramics, Tony Kinsella, Chief Executive at Ceram, John Vidal, Environment Editor, The Guardian, and Niall McKenzie, Head of National Carbon Markets Department of Energy and Climate Change.