The theme of Alexander's speech will be the role of the creative industries in rebuilding the UK economy.

It will be followed by a question and answer session chaired by BBC News business correspondent Peter Day. The evening event, on 8 March, is being held at Stationers' Hall, London.

Prior to joining the business lobbying body, Alexander was chief executive of The Economist for more than a decade and also currently holds chairman and other non-executive roles at companies including Incisive Media, Centrica and Rolls Royce.

Alexander is the latest in a long list of prestigious industry figures that have spoken at the annual lecture. Previous speakers at the event, which is in its 53rd year, include Sir Martin Sorrell, Rupert Murdoch and Mark Thompson.

"I can think of few people who better follow this tradition than Helen Alexander. Her background in publishing, combined with her experience of managing some of the UK’s largest companies, give her a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities for the media industry in these difficult times," said Nigel Stapleton, Stationers' industry group chairman.

Click here for full details on of the lecture.