The role of business in tackling climate change, private equity, plus ways of rebuilding public trust in corporate Britain will top the bill at the CBI's annual conference next month.

Conservative party leader David Cameron will kick-start the discussion on climate change, Stephen Schwarzman, the chairman, chief executive and co-founder of Blackstone will shape the debate on private equity and former BBC director general, Greg Dyke will provide insights on corporate reputation.

With business firmly in the political spotlight following the fall-out from the recent credit crunch and Pre Budget Report, Chancellor Alistair Darling will present his economic and pro-business credentials to Britain's corporate leaders at this year's event.

Liberal Democrat contenders for the party leadership, Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne, will also be speaking.

CBI director-general, Richard Lambert said: "At a time when corporate leaders are coming under ever greater scrutiny, this year's CBI conference will touch on the issues that matter to customers, shareholders and the public at large - transparency in company ownership, responsible corporate behaviour and concrete business plans for tackling climate change.

"A formidable cast of business and political speakers will debate how private equity is changing the economy, what businesses can do in the face of climate change and how companies can improve the standing of corporate Britain."

Sponsored by accountants Deloitte and recruitment special-ists Harvey Nash, the conference takes place on November 26/27 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Writer and broadcaster Jeff Randall will chair the debate on private equity with Philip Yea, chief executive of 3i, Mr Schwarzman, Tim Parker, former chief executive of the AA, Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, John Connolly, chief executive and senior partner at Deloitte, and Kitty Ussher, Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

The session on climate change will be chaired by Adam Boulton, Sky News political editor and debated by Ben Verwaayen, chief executive of BT and chairman of the CBI Climate Change Task Force, Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, Hilary Benn, DEFRA Minister, Phillippe Varin, chief executive at Corus, and Robert Napier, chairman of the Met Office.

The debate on business reputation will be led by media personality Patience Wheatcroft, and will feature Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways and CBI president, Mr Dyke, Steve Easterbrook, chief executive of McDonald's, Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, Albert Ellis, chief executive at Harvey Nash, and Gary Hoffman, group vice-chairman, Barclays.

Mr Ellis said: "A company's reputation and brand is one of the most important factors in its ability to recruit and retain talent. It's the main reason why employees would rather work for companies with strong brands and contemporary values, like Apple or Google."