THE Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, is among a glittering line-up of speakers at the second Thames Gateway Forum.

The annual event, to be held at ExCel London on November 23 and 24, will also feature Local Government Minister David Miliband and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Business will be represented by John Calcutt of Crest Nicholson, the housebuilder, and Alan Cherry, chairman of Countryside Properties.

John Sorrell, chair of CABE, the organisation that backs good design, will also speak.

Others booked to appear include design champion Sir Stuart Lipton, architect Sir Terry Farrell, and John Gummer, the Tory MP.

Griff Rhys Jones and Jeff Randall, the BBC’s business editor, will chair sessions featuring designer Wayne Hemingway, singer and political activist Billy Bragg, MP Yvette Cooper and former MP Tony Banks.

Paul Wheeler, The Forum’s editorial director, said: “The first Thames Gateway Forum in 2004 set the scene for Europe’s most exciting regeneration region.

"While the last year has seen considerable progress, most professionals connected with the region are still concerned that there are some major issues to be tackled.

"Our programme of keynote speeches, seminars and plenary sessions have been designed to drive the debate forward."

More than 4,000 people are expected to attend the two-day even, with around 170 organisations booking exhibition stands.

To register or find out more information, visit www.thamesgatewayforum.com.