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Who attends?
This is an opportunity to engage with key national and local government policymakers, stakeholders, business figures and industry experts on the challenges and opportunities facing regional development.
We are proud to be supported by great companies. If you would like to sponsor an event please get in touch at info@newstateman.com
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Regional Development in the Age of Levelling Up
To follow our 4th Northern Powerhouse Conference in February last year, the New Statesman is convening its first Regional Development Conference in Manchester this September, with a day of insight into local growth and the levelling up strategy. At this event leading political and business figures and advocates of regional development will tackle the major issues facing regional growth strategies in a post-Covid Britain.
Key topics
- How Data and Digital Power Can Drive Regional Development
- The Link Between Health and Economic Development
- The Future of Regional Transport
- The Role of Industry in Sustainable Local Growth
- The Future of Levelling Up After Coronavirus
- The Skills Gap and Local Development
Speakers include
This event is free to attend
Agenda
9.00am - 9.15pm
Keynote Address and Interview: The Future of Levelling Up After Coronavirus
Lord Michael Heseltine, Former Deputy Prime Minister
10.00am - 10.45am
Panel: Opportunities for Regional Economies in a post-Brexit world
The UK government has announced a shared prosperity fund to replace the EU finding post-Brexit, which will target the places most in need across the UK including ex-industrial areas, deprived towns and rural and coastal communities. Will this be enough to fund a successful regional development strategy in the context of the pandemic? While ‘levelling up’ is the latest political mantra, it is still unclear how the Shared Prosperity Fund will be implemented across the country. What lessons have we learnt from the UK’s involvement in EU regional policy? How can we use this to shape future sub-national economic development policy? A panel discussion convening voices from policy and business.
9.15am - 10.00am
Panel: How Can Data and Digital Power Regional  Development?
Mayor Jamie Driscoll, Metro Mayor of North of Tyne Combined Authority
What is the role of big data in supporting regional development? How can we use technology and digital infrastructure to drive regional growth and productivity? How do we ensure that regions are fit for the digital age? Could a failure to tackle the digital skills divide worsen regional inequality? A panel discussion and live Q&A convening voices from policy and business.
09 Sept 2021 | 9:00 - 17:00 BST
Why attend?
The conference is aimed at the who’s who of stakeholder groups associated with regional development & levelling up. This includes policymakers (national, regional, local), LEP members, representatives of key industries (energy, manufacturing, pharma, technology, transport, utilities..), trade organisations, diplomatic missions, relevant academia and think tanks, media etc.
Manchester
Overview
This year our hugely popular Northern Powerhouse Conference will be broadened out to encompass the national agenda on Levelling Up. Join us again on the 9th September in Manchester, to hear insight from leaders on the most pressing regional development questions. Through panels, live interviews, speeches, and debates, parliamentarians, local government and business leaders will discuss questions including: How can we use technology and digital infrastructure to drive regional growth and productivity? How can business and government work together to ensure local growth that is focussed on net zero? What is the role of devolved government in local growth?
Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today to secure your place.
11.15am - 12.00pm
Panel: Regional Transport
Transport systems outside of London are notoriously lacking compared with those in the capital. But with significant transport investment in the North and other regions planned and underway, how can areas work collaboratively to maximise the development, housing and growth potential of these projects? What infrastructure investment do regions need to support jobs and improve connectivity in a post-Covid-Brexit world?
10.45am - 11.15am
Networking Coffee Break
12.00pm - 12.15pm
Fireside Chat: How Can we Learn from the Golden Triangle and Replicate this Successfully in Other Regions?
The UK is one of the most centralised and unequal economies in the OECD, with the majority of government and private sector investment traditionally being focused on the golden triangle between Oxford, Cambridge and London. Has the pandemic provided an opportunity to unlock investment opportunities in other regions, especially considering the levelling up strategy? There is plenty of evidence that investment in R&D helps boost local economies. How can government, academia and business work together to incentivise investment in local regions?
With the government talking about "levelling up" post-Covid, what are the roles of policies like Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine? Have these regional development strategies been effective? What is the right way to ensure regional development after the pandemic? A set-piece interview with an "elder statesman" or leading figure of UK local economic development.
1.00pm - 2.00pm
Lunch and Networking
12.15pm - 1.00pm
Panel: The Role of Industry
in Sustainable Local Growth
Across the globe, leaders are talking about economic recovery, and there is growing consensus on the need for that recovery to be sustainable. Industry is a key stakeholder in this and has much to teach government about backing sustainable business policy. How can business and government work together to ensure local growth that is focussed on net zero? Panel discussion convening voices from industry.
2.00pm - 2.45pm
Symposium: Devolution and Regional Development
What is the role of the devolved nations in addressing regional development? Should more decision making power be left to local leaders? Should Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own autonomous development organisations to undertake and promote regional economic planning and development within their respective territories?
3.00pm - 3.30pm
Networking Coffee Break
3.30pm - 4.15pm
Symposium: Addressing Geographic Disparities
Asif Hamid MBE, Chair, Liverpool City Region LEP
While the UK needs to prioritise regional development, each region faces its own challenges. How do we ensure coastal and rural regions do not get left behind in the levelling up strategy and exacerbate inequalities? What are the specific challenges these localities face? What are the benefits of agglomeration? A symposium of speakers representing different geographic regions.
4.15pm - 4.30pm
Interview: The Skills Gap and Regional Development
Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning
The pandemic has highlighted stark regional inequalities in the UK and these should be addressed as part of our recovery. But to deliver such strategies, we need skilled local communities and workforces with high levels of educational attainment and entrepreneurialism. How can government and industry promote regional skills and innovation?
4.30pm - 5.15pm
Closing Panel: Visions for Regional Development
Kwasi Kwarteng, MP, Secretary of State for BEIS
A panel discussion bringing together senior Labour and Tory MPs to discuss their party’s visions for the future of regional development post pandemic and post Brexit. A panel discussion and live Q&A.
2.45pm - 3.00pm
Interview: The Link Between Health and Economic Development
Across the UK, there is an established regional inequality in access to healthcare, which contributes to a productivity divide and pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities. In order to address these inequalities, full use needs to be made of regional health assets. How can regional health assets impact regional economic productivity and the levelling up strategy?
Speakers include
Agenda
9.00am - 9.20am
Keynote Address and Q&A: The Future of Levelling Up After Coronavirus
Lord Michael Heseltine, Former Deputy Prime Minister
Anoosh Chakelian (Chair), Britain Editor, New Statesman
09.45am - 10.30am
Panel: Opportunities for Regional Economies – Public and Private Funding for Growth
Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Henri Murison, Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Jim Hubbard, Head of Regional Policy at the CBI
David Oldfield, CEO, Commercial Banking at Lloyds Bank
Anoosh Chakelian (Chair), Britain Editor, New Statesman
The UK government has announced a shared prosperity fund to replace EU funding post-Brexit, which will target the places most in need across the UK, including ex-industrial areas, deprived towns and rural and coastal communities. Will this be enough to fund a successful regional development strategy in the context of the pandemic? While ‘levelling up’ is the latest political mantra, it is still unclear how the Shared Prosperity Fund will be implemented across the country. What lessons have we learnt from the UK’s involvement in EU regional policy? How can we use this to shape future sub-national economic development policy? 
9.20am - 09.45am
Fireside Chat: How Can Data and Digital Power Regional  Development?
Tom Forth, Head of Data, ODI Leeds
Baroness Verma, Member of the Digital Skills APPG
Jon Bernstein (Chair), Former Deputy Editor, New Statesman
What is the role of big data in supporting regional development? How can we use technology and digital infrastructure to drive regional growth and productivity? How do we ensure that regions are fit for the digital age? Could a failure to tackle the digital skills divide worsen regional inequality?
10.45am - 11.30am
Panel: Regional Transport
Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Minister for Green Transport
Ben Smith, Co-Director of Regions, Cities and Devolution, Department for Transport
Graham Stringer MP, Chair of City Regional Transport APPG
Martin Tugwell, CEO of Transport for the North
Laura Shoaf, Interim Chief Executive of West Midlands Combined Authority
Jon Bernstein (Chair), Former Deputy Editor, New Statesman
Transport systems outside of London are notoriously lacking compared to those in the capital. But with significant transport investment in the North and other regions planned and underway, how can areas work collaboratively to maximise the development, housing and growth potential of these projects? What infrastructure investment do regions need to support jobs and improve connectivity in a post-Covid, post-Brexit world?
10.30am - 10.45am
Networking Coffee Break
11.30am-12.00pm
Fireside Chat: How Can We Learn from the Golden Triangle and Replicate This Successfully in Other Regions?
Dr Séamus O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer at the Northern Health Science Alliance
Lord Bethell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Innovation
Anoosh Chakelian (Chair), Britain Editor, New Statesman
The UK is one of the most centralised and unequal economies in the OECD, with the majority of government and private sector investment traditionally being focused on the golden triangle between Oxford, Cambridge and London. Has the pandemic provided an opportunity to unlock investment opportunities in other regions, especially considering the levelling up strategy? There is plenty of evidence that investment in R&D helps boost local economies. How can government, academia and industry work together to incentivise investment in local regions? With the government talking about 'levelling up' post-Covid, what are the roles of policies like the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine? Have these regional development strategies been effective? What is the right way to ensure regional development after the pandemic?
12.45pm-1.45pm
Lunch and Networking
12.00pm - 12.45pm
Panel: The Role of Industry in Sustainable Local Growth
Gillian Keegan MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills
Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Green New Deal and Energy
Senior representative, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Samir Jeraj (Chair), Special Projects Writer, New Statesman
Across the globe, leaders are talking about economic recovery, and there is growing consensus on the need for that recovery to be sustainable. Industry is a key stakeholder in this and has much to teach government about backing sustainable business policy.  How can businesses collaborate in order to implement sustainable social impact strategies while also boosting regional education and economic development?
Panel: The Role of Industry in
Sustainable Local Growth
Across the globe, leaders are talking about economic recovery, and there is growing consensus on the need for that recovery to be sustainable. Industry is a key stakeholder in this and has much to teach government about backing sustainable business policy.  How can business and government work together to ensure local growth that is focussed on net zero?
1.45pm-2.30pm
Panel: Devolution and Regional Development
Ian Murray MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
Simon Hart MP, Secretary of State for Wales
Steve Reed MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution
Jon Bernstein (Chair), Former Deputy Editor, New Statesman
What is the role of the devolved nations in addressing regional development? Should more decision making power be left to local leaders? Should Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own autonomous development organisations to undertake and promote regional economic planning and development within their respective territories?
3.00pm - 3.15pm
Networking Coffee Break
3.15pm - 4.00pm
Panel: Addressing Geographic Disparities
Asif Hamid MBE, Chair of Liverpool City Region LEP
Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Leader of Powys County Council and joint WLGA Rural Affairs Spokesperson
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Brendan Clarke-Smith MP, Member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee
Samir Jeraj (Chair), Special Projects Writer, New Statesman
While the UK needs to prioritise regional development, each region faces its own challenges. How do we ensure coastal and rural regions do not get left behind in the levelling up strategy and exacerbate inequalities? What are the specific challenges these localities face? What are the benefits of agglomeration?
4.00pm - 4.30pm
Panel: The Skills Gap and Regional Development
Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning
Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business, Trade and Transport
Glenn Bemment, Head of ESG: Sustainability and Regionalisation, SME & Mid Corporate Banking, Lloyds Bank
Jon Bernstein (Chair), Former Deputy Editor, New Statesman
The pandemic has highlighted stark regional inequalities in the UK and these should be addressed as part of our recovery. But to deliver such strategies, we need skilled local communities and workforces with high levels of educational attainment and entrepreneurialism. How can government and industry promote regional skills and innovation?
4.30pm - 5.15pm
Closing Panel: Visions for Regional Development
Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for BEIS
Nia Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Michael Eakins, Chief Investment Officer, Phoenix Group
Ann Francke, Chief Executive, Chartered Management Institute
Samir Jeraj (Chair), Special Projects Writer, New Statesman
A panel discussion bringing together senior Labour and Tory MPs to discuss their party’s visions for the future of regional development post pandemic and post Brexit.
2.30pm - 3.00pm
Panel: The Link Between Health and Economic Development
Dr Lisa Cameron MP, Chair of the Health APPG
Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair of the Health in all Policies APPG
Professor Graham Lord, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
Samir Jeraj (Chair), Special Projects Writer, New Statesman
Across the UK, there is an established regional inequality in access to healthcare, which contributes to a productivity divide, and the pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities. In order to address these inequalities, full use needs to be made of regional health assets. How can regional health assets impact regional economic productivity and the levelling up strategy?
This event is complimentary for practitioners working in regional and national development. Service providers will be subject to a charge and you will be contacted by a member of our sales team in due course.
All guests will be required to disclose if they have either been fully vaccinated, or are willing to take a test no more than 36 hours prior to the event and provide proof of a negative test result. If an attendee comes back with a positive test result and is unable to attend, tickets can be transferred to another attendee who will also be required to provide a negative test result prior to attending. Tickets will not be refundable due to positive test results unless in exceptional circumstances, determined on a case by case basis. All onsite NSMG ltd. We will be continually following government protocol, correct and relevant to the event date, in regards to social distancing. Currently, this will not be in place from 19th July onwards and we will therefore not be implementing distancing at our events but will make provisions to be able to distance should we be required to.
Venue
etc.Manchester
Directions to etc.Manchester, 11 Portland Street Manchester M1 3HU:
For directions and parking information, click here. If you haven’t already, make sure to book your train tickets today.
We understand that restrictions have been lifted, but etc.Venues Manchester are committed to making your experience safe and enjoyable. The venue will carry out the below measures to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Rigorous hygiene and sanitisation regimes are employed, and the venue is ISO accredited.
Staff will wear face masks and we encourage delegates to do the same. Masks will be available at the registration desk upon arrival.
Hand sanitisers will be positioned around the venue and available at each table.
24-hour supply of non-recirculating fresh air is brought into the venue to ensure adequate ventilation.
Onsite registration and our COVID- 19 procedures to promote guest safety:
You will be able to register between 08:15 at 09:00 am on 9 September 2021. This will take place in the Panorama Lounge at etc.Venues Manchester..
On arrival, please check into the event by scanning the NHS QR code at the entrance of the venue. You can use the NHS COVID-19 app to do this.
In order to guarantee the safest environment for all attendees, we ask that you show proof of either being fully vaccinated or that you hold a negative lateral flow test result from a test taken 36 hours prior to the event. We ask that you show your COVID Pass when entering the event.
For information on how to obtain a free of charge lateral flow test, please click here.
For more information on how to get your NHS COVID Pass, please click here. This pass will document your vaccine status or your lateral flow test result.
Safeguarding practices:
Temperature checks-
We will check your temperature as part of the registration process. Please note that if you do have an elevated temperature (37.8C or above), you will be asked to leave the venue. If you have any other COVID related symptoms, we ask that you refrain from attending the event.
Badges-
When registering, you will be given your name badge and a choice of lanyard. We will be following a colour code system, where red signifies that you are not comfortable with shaking hands; yellow suggests that you are happy to elbow tap and green shows that you are open to shaking hands.
If you are not able to attend, and will be sending someone else in your place, please let us know by emailing Kelsey Wills at kelsey.wills@ns-mediagroup.com
Dr Lisa Cameron MP
Chair of Health APPG
Our Sponsors
We are proud to be supported by great companies. If you would like to sponsor an event please get in touch at info@newstateman.com
8.15am - 9.00am
Registration and Breakfast
For any enquiries about the event, contact Kelsey.wills@ns-mediagroup.com
Hotel Ibis Styles Manchester Portland, 3-5 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DP
Select Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel for 8th September 2021
Special Rates - Preferential Code: EVEBB
Cancellation policy: Guests can cancel up until 2pm - 24 hour prior to arrival
Book by 11 August 2021
Mercure Piccadilly Manchester Hotel, Portland St, Manchester M1 4PH
To book email lreservations@mercuremanchester.co.uk
or call 0161 751 1412 option 1
Quote reference code NEWS080921
Individual cancellation policy: Guests can cancel 28 days prior to arrival date without charge.
Book by 11 August 2021
Malmaison Manchester, 1-3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 3AQ
To book email theteam@malmaison.com
or call 0330 016 0380/90
Quote block code 0809JN
Book by 28 July 2021
Cancellation policy: by 3pm 3 days prior to arrival date to avoid penalty.
Rates subject to availability
Accommodation
Media Partners
Cllr Rosemarie Harris
Leader, Powys County Council
Joint Rural Affairs Spokesperson, WLGA
Juergen Maier
Industrialist, Chair of the Digital Catapult and former Chief Executive of Siemens UK
Professor Graham Lord
Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Professor Graham Lord
Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Brendan Clarke-Smith MP
Member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee
Baroness Verma
Member of the Digital Skills APPG
Glenn Bemment
Head of ESG: Sustainability and Regionalisation, SME & Mid Corporate Banking
Lloyds Bank
Glenn Bemment
Head of ESG: Sustainability and Regionalisation, SME & Mid Corporate Banking
Lloyds Bank
Ben Smith
Co-Director of Regions, Cities and Devolution
Department for Transport
