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WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2025
9:00 - 14:30
Manchester Hall

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Single Ticket - £75 + VAT
Group of Five - £350 + VAT

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CONFERENCE

WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2025
9:00 - 14:30
Manchester Hall

Build on the past - shape the futureSome are born here, some are drawn here…But whatever their origins, businesses in Greater Manchester all have been part of the undoubted economic success story of recent years.This conference will set out an agenda that recognises Greater Manchester’s positive legacy of civic entrepreneurship, but looks to shape the future.The event will draw on the experiences of the most dynamic and exciting businesses who were started in Greater Manchester, or who chose to come here to grow.

Why should you attend?

- Network with a diverse group of professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors who share a common interest in Greater Manchester's economic success- Gain firsthand insights into the regions leading businesses- Deepen your understanding of Greater Manchester's economic strengths, challenges, and potential growth areas - and the role you and your organisation can play, providing you with a competitive edge in identifying business opportunities- Learn from success stories and case studies- Be part of the potential of the region by joining the conversation

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AGENDA

HOW GREATER MANCHESTER WILL GROW

Registration & Networking9:00 - 9:30

Welcome by North West Editor, Michael Taylor9:30 - 9:35

Keynote: Caroline Simpson, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Invited)9:35 - 9:50

Sir Howard Bernstein's legacy and what it means todayMike Emmerich, Founding Director, MetroDynamics9:50 - 10:05

SOME ARE BORN HERE

10:05 - 10:40

Jayden Patel, CEO, AquaintKeira Shepperson, Director of Regional Funds, British Business BankJanine Smith, Director, GM Business Growth Hub

Coffee Break/Networking10:40 - 11:05

SOME ARE DRAWN HERE

Keynote: John Clancy, CEO, Galvia11:05 - 11:25

Panel11:25 - 12:05

Joe Manning, Managing Director, MIDASKai Ojo, CEO, PlaniswareLiz Scott, Chief Executive Director, Turing Innovation CatalystSimon Shaw, Director, Codurance

Lunch/Networking12:05 - 12:55

We Built This City - Live Podcast Recording with Collette Roche, COO at Manchester United, in conversation with Lisa Morton

12:55- 13:15

Developments Shaping Greater Manchester's Future

13:15- 13:45

Claire Foreman, Director, Institute of TechnologyAmer Gaffar, Director, Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan UniversitySpencer Lamb, CCO, Kao Data

The Power of Culture

Panel13:45 - 14:15

David Butcher, CEO, The HalleLucy Noone Blake, Co-Founder, Club de PadelDan Morris, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Freight IslandGeraldine Ryan, Partner (Commercial Litigation), CMS

Keynote: Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live14:15 - 14:30

Wrap-up and Networking14:30 - 14:35

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Lucy Noone Blake, CoFounder, Club de Padel

Lucy Noone Blake is a Hospitality and Experience consultant specialising in Marketing and PR. With a background in hospitality stretching back to polishing apples in the family greengrocers aged 3, Lucy has spent her whole life immersed in the sector and supporting industries.In addition to her PR and Marketing clients, Lucy also currently holds several board positions;NED at Maray Restaurant Group, Trustee of the Tim Bacon Foundation and Ambassador for Only a Pavement Away.Lucy holds a spot on the CODE list celebrating the ‘2024’s Hospitality Women of the Year’Lucy Co-founded Club de Padel in 2023, they will open a second site in Sheffield in summer 2025.

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WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER
9:00 - 14:40
Leeds Marriott Hotel

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TICKETS

Single Ticket - £75 + VAT

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CONFERENCE

WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER
9:00 - 14:40
Leeds Marriott Hotel

Turning Ambition Into Action

Yorkshire businesses don't just compete - they lead. Our region combines industrial heritage with innovative thinking, creating an environment where ambitious companies thrive.This conference celebrates that spirit while providing the insights, connections, and strategies you need to capitalise on the opportunities ahead. Be part of the conversation that's shaping Yorkshire's future. More importantly, help shape it.Because in Yorkshire, we don't just talk about success - we build it.Join the entrepreneurs, business leaders and policymakers who are turning ambition into achievement.

Why This Conference Matters Now

From cutting-edge manufacturing to breakthrough technologies, from transformative
infrastructure projects to bold industrial innovations - our region's businesses are leading the charge. But success demands more than individual excellence. It requires connection, collaboration, and shared strategic thinking.This conference is where Yorkshire's most ambitious business leaders come together to share insights, forge partnerships, and accelerate growth. It's where tomorrow's opportunities are identified today.

What You'll Gain

You'll hear directly from business leaders who are driving significant investments, navigating major changes, and implementing strategies that deliver real growth through innovation. These aren't academic discussions - they're real stories from companies that have faced the same challenges you're dealing with right now.The conversations happen both on stage and off. You'll sit alongside entrepreneurs who are scaling fast, investors backing Yorkshire's growth, and advisers helping businesses make their next move. These are the relationships that open doors.Most importantly, you'll leave with ideas you can use immediately. Whether it's a fresh approach to financing growth, a technology solution you hadn't considered, or a partnership opportunity that could transform your business - this conference connects what's happening across Yorkshire to what it means for your company.