Delegates at this year's MGI UK and Ireland annual conference will be given an insight into the future of technology by one of the UK's most well-respected scientists.

Professor Heinz Wolff, renowned as the inventor of 'bioengineering' and a regular expert on TV and radio, will be giving his views on how technology is set to change over the next ten years, and how that will affect the delivery of professional services.

MGI UK and Ireland, part of the international MGI association of accountancy firms, is having its annual gathering from 26 to 28 November, under the title 'The Future's Bright - The Future's Already Here'.

Professor Wolff began his career at the National Institute for Medical Research, and in 1962 he founded its Biomedical Engineering division, looking at how engineering principles could be applied to the fields of biology and medicine. In 1983, he founded the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering - the first centre of its kind in the UK - which holds contracts for work in space research, medical instrumentation and improving the quality of life for the elderly.

Professor Wolff has also held a number of honorary positions with the European Space Agency and has featured on television and radio for over 30 years - with his best-known series including 'The Great Egg Race', 'Young Scientist of the Year' and 'Great Experiments which Changed the World'.

Paul Winder, chief executive officer of MGI UK and Ireland, said: "It was a great coup for us to secure Professor Wolff as a speaker for this year's event. He's very highly sought after as a speaker and is well-known for providing humorous and entertaining insights, as well as being one of the foremost authorities on new technology.

"Accountancy firms have already embraced great changes in technology over the past few years, but the industry does not stand still, and those who do best in future will be those who are prepared for the next changes on the horizon."

Other speakers at the conference will include representatives of Companies House, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Apple Inc, Digita and Xero.

The event will be held at Lane End Conference Centre, in Buckinghamshire, near Heathrow Airport, and non-members are welcome to attend. The cost per person will be £325 + VAT, including all food and accommodation. For more information visit www.mgi-uk.com or call 01825 872113.

MGI, which was founded in 1947, is an association of independent accounting and consulting firms with 266 member offices in 79 countries. MGI firms share accountancy, tax and business knowledge and expertise for the benefit of fellow members and their clients.