Call to 'level up the North' at major summit in Sheffield
and live on Freeview channel 276
Local leaders running responsive and accountable local services are better placed to overcome the crisis than a centrally-run bureaucracy, it is claimed.
The assertion is the latest in a long line of arguments for more money, powers and enthusiasm for the North to be discussed at the Great Northern Conference.
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Hide AdThe interactive event, on October 22, has gone fully virtual following the Prime Minister’s ‘rule of six’ announcement and is now free to attend.
Register here from Monday https://gnc.register-me.uk/
Organised by JPIMedia - parent company of The Star and the Yorkshire Post - and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, it is a meeting of business and civic leaders, from Liverpool to Newcastle, spanning all sectors of the economy and political parties.
It aims to fire up the campaign for an end to regional disparity, hammer out how best to grow the North’s £329 billion economy – and build a greener, fairer and more equal society - and shout about the North’s value as a huge engine of opportunity that is larger than Scotland and Wales combined.
Some 350 people in business, politics, local government, charity, media and the public sector attended the inaugural event in Leeds last year.
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Hide AdThis year, speakers and panellists include the mayor of Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis, who will deliver the welcome address, Katy Shaw, professor of contemporary writings at Northumbria University, and Ken Cooper, managing director of venture solutions at the British Business Bank.
Steve Foxley, head of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Region’s active travel commissioner Dame Sarah Storey and prof Vanessa Toulmin, director of city and culture at the University of Sheffield, are all from the host city.
The event’s headline sponsor is Virgin Money.
Gavin Opperman, group business banking director, said “We have a rich history of supporting businesses throughout the region, through the good times and the more challenging times.
“We are committed to helping businesses navigate the challenges they are facing and ensuring they have the support they need to prosper in the future.”
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Hide AdSMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are crucial to the success of the North of England. They contribute more than half of the North’s private sector turnover and are vital for raising living standards, building prosperity and strengthening the region’s economy.
Mr Opperman added: “The Great Northern Conference will showcase the extensive work that is already taking place between national and local politicians, businesses and the third sector to support SMEs and communities. It will also explore what the next steps are in continuing the levelling up agenda to give the Northern Powerhouse a greater platform on the UK stage.”
For more information and to book tickets, visit: https://www.greatnorthernpowerhouse.co.uk
The GNC has attracted a host of major sponsors.
Headline Sponsor - Virgin Money
Key Note Sponsor Sellafield
Key Note Sponsor: Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Breakout Sponsor - Northern Health Alliance
Breakout Sponsor - Northern Gas and Power
Breakout Sponsor - TalkTalk
Breakout Sponsor - Arcadis
Support Sponsor - Be The Business
Bespoke Support Sponsor - Sheffield Hallam University
Bespoke Support Sponsor - University of Sheffield
The Northern Health Science Alliance
Global Procurement Group
Clear.VUE
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund