BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth has backed out of hosting duties at the upcoming two-day BIBA 2018 conference and will be replaced by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) said Raworth’s withdrawal was due to her network’s impending coverage of the May 19 royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. BIBA 2018, with the theme Innovate Evolve Thrive, is taking place from May 16 in Manchester.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm Natasha as the replacement host,” said BIBA chief executive Steve White. “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!”

Speaking at the event are Lloyd’s of London chief executive and Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) president Inga Beale, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) CEO Andrew Bailey, lastminute.com co-founder Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.