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

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Single Ticket - £90 + VAT
Group of Five - £425 + 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

Contact us - [email protected]

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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

How Greater Manchester will grow

SOME ARE BORN HERE

10:05 - 10:40

Samantha Fay, CEO, SISU HealthKeira Shepperson, Director of Regional Funds, British Business BankJanine Smith, Director, GM Business Growth Hub

Coffee Break/Networking10:40 - 11:05

How Greater Manchester will grow

SOME ARE DRAWN HERE

Keynote11:05 - 11:25

Panel11:25 - 12:05

Kai Ojo, CEO, Planisware

Lunch/Networking12:05 - 12:55

Developments Shaping Greater Manchester's Future12:55- 13:25

Amer Gaffar, Director, Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan UniversitySpencer Lamb, CCO, Kao Data

The Power of Culture

Keynote: Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live13:25 - 13:40

Panel13:40 - 14:10

David Butcher, CEO, The HalleLucy Noone Blake, co-founder, Club de PadelGeraldine Ryan, Partner (Commercial Litigation), CMSOliver Wilson, Director, Beyond the Music

Keynote14:10 - 14:20

Wrap-up and Networking14:20 - 14:30

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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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THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2024
9:00 - 17:30
Leeds Marriott Hotel

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Single Ticket - £75 + VAT

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CONFERENCE

THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2024
Leeds Marriott Hotel

9:00 - 9:30 | REGISTRATION
9:30 - 16:00 | SESSIONS
16:05 - 17:30 | DRINKS RECEPTION

The Business of Yorkshire Conference returns at a pivotal time for the region.With hopes of political stability and an improving economy, there is optimism that the conditions are in place for business to plan and invest for the long-term.A new mayor in North Yorkshire and the promise of further devolution also strengthens the political and policy responsibilities locally, buoyed by the new Government's desire to use mayors as a conduit to delivering change quickly.The Business of Yorkshire Conference is your opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, build relationships, and be part of the visions that are shaping Yorkshire's economic future.Business leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers will share their ambitions for Yorkshire, putting into context how their companies, communities and sectors are supporting the region's growth plans.The Conference is being curated by TheBusinessDesk.com and supported by Lloyds Bank and Campaigner.It is built around the theme of investing in our future - in business, in people, and in the region - to create a positive, forward-looking event focused on sustainable economic growth in Yorkshire.Join us in Leeds on November 28 as leading figures from the private and public sectors set out a path to navigate the challenges and maximise the opportunities that lie ahead.

Why should you attend?

- Network with a diverse group of professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors who share a common interest in Yorkshire's economic success, fostering valuable connections and potential collaborations- Gain firsthand insights into Yorkshire's key growth sectors, emerging industries and economic trends directly from industry experts and business leaders- Deepen your understanding of Yorkshire'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 that highlight innovative approaches, successful collaborations and strong business growth- Gain knowledge about Yorkshire's economic development plans, infrastructure projects, and initiatives that can shape the future business landscape, offering valuable strategic foresight.- Understand the challenges faced by Yorkshire businesses, such as talent retention, skill development, and sustainability targets, and learn how others are finding new solutions.- Be part of the potential of Yorkshire by joining the conversation and the community based in the region that has international impact

Contact us - [email protected]

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business investment

9:00 - 11:35

PEOPLE INVESTMENT

11:35 - 14:15

REGIONAL INVESTMENT

14:15 - 16:00

Registration & Networking9:00 - 9:30

Check-in and network with other conference attendees.

Keynote: West Yorkshire metro-mayor Tracy Brabin9:35 - 9:55

Keynote: John Tordoff, Executive Chairman, JCT6009:55 - 10:15

Investment in business10:15 - 10:50

Fast-growing businesses and sectors need investment to be able to fulfil their potential. There is a huge opportunity for the region if it can make sure the available funding reaches the entrepreneurs and organisations that can drive the future economy of Yorkshire.Natalie Boswell, Regional Development Director, Lloyds Banking GroupMelissa Chambers, CEO & Co-Founder, SitehopJohn Connor, Partner, Womble Bond DickinsonSimon Cunnington, Director, British Business Bank & NPIF IIZandra Moore, Co-founder and CEO, Panintelligence

Speaker: Business investment10:50 - 11:10

Adam Hildreth, Founder, Crisp

Coffee Break/Networking11:10 - 11:35

Keynote: Andrew McPhillips, Chief Economist, Northern Powerhouse Partnership11:35 - 11:55

Investing in leadership11:55 - 12:30

Leadership is key to delivering on the ambitions for individual businesses and for the whole region. Developing leaders who can achieve this, with vision and energy and through collaboration and partnership, will have significant and long-lasting effects that will be felt far beyond the impact of the individual.Nicky Chance-Thompson, CEO and Trustee, The Piece HallNick Glynne, CEO & Founder, Buy It DirectGemma Smith, Chief Executive, StrataDr Jonathan Straight, Founder, Planet Straight Advisory

Keynote: Ruth Ibegbuna, CEO of Rekindle & trustee of Bradford 202512:30 - 12:45

Creating the skilled workforce of the future12:45 - 13:20

Business investment and the developing sectors will create opportunities for jobs to be created and reshaped. Technology will have a huge impact on the skills of the future workforce. It will need a focused and joined-up approach from across the education and business eco-system to ensure that Yorkshire can develop, attract and retain the talent it needs for its companies to thrive.Jessica Armstrong, Head of Professional Services, Lloyds Banking GroupJo Glover, Director of Organisational Development, EMISProfessor Catherine O’Connor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Leeds TrinityKatrina Ritchie, Head of People and Culture, GrippleAndy Sykes, Plant Director, Siemens Gamesa

Lunch13:20 - 14:15

Keynote: Jon Hughes, Managing Director, HARIBO UK&I14:15- 14:35

Keynote: North Yorkshire metro-mayor David Skaith14:35 - 14:50

Transformational investments14:50 - 15:15

Large-scale projects and investments can have a huge effect on communities and supply chains. We will focus on East Yorkshire and showcase the impact of significant developments there, and how they will benefit the region and the country.Furqan Alamgir, Founder and CEO, ConnexinCatherine Darby-Roberts, Associate Director, ArupRichard Davis, VP Supply Chain, UK & Ireland, Metsä TissueCllr Anne Handley, leader, East Riding Council

Housing and infrastructure15:15 - 15:40

There are ambitious plans to transform Leeds with its planned mass transit scheme and a huge housebuilding programme that will expand existing and build new communities along the route. This promises to deliver generational change in key parts of the city and shape plans for decades to come.Angela Barnicle, Director of City Development (Interim), Leeds City CouncilCllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council / WYCA Place committeeLisa Littlefair, Cities Lead - Buildings and Cities Unit, Mott MacdonaldSimon Warburton, Executive Director of Transport, WYCA

Keynote: Simon Armitage CBE, Poet Laureate15:40 - 16:00

Post-event networking in the exhibition hub16:00 - 16:30

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