Biba 2018 will now have a new conference host, after Sophie Raworth hit a scheduling conflict because of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding

Biba has announced that Natasha Kaplinsky will replace Sophie Raworth as host of BIBA 2018, after Raworth had to pull out because of the BBC’s coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding.

The wedding will take place on Saturday 19 May, shortly after Biba 2018 on 16 May and 17 May.

Announcing the change, Biba’s chief executive, Steve White commented: “We are delighted to be able to confirm Natasha as the replacement host.

”We have been working with Natasha and her colleagues at ITN Productions to produce a programme on ‘De-Risking the Future’ and have found her to be extremely professional.  It is disappointing to lose Sophie, but a royal wedding is apparently of slightly greater public interest than BIBA 2018!”

Kaplinsky will be joined by speakers announced by Biba earlier in February. These will include Lloyd’s chief executive Inga Beale, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey and Baroness Martha Lane Fox of Soho, founder of lastminute.com.