Great Northern Conference tickets now on sale

Everyone wants to see a fairer, better system that levels up the great north/south divide – here’s how you can be part of the conversation at this year’s Great Northern Conference.
From net zero and climate change to transport, infrastructure, the economy, health, education, post-Covid and more, the Great Northern Conference puts our cities, towns and villages at the heart of the conversationFrom net zero and climate change to transport, infrastructure, the economy, health, education, post-Covid and more, the Great Northern Conference puts our cities, towns and villages at the heart of the conversation
From net zero and climate change to transport, infrastructure, the economy, health, education, post-Covid and more, the Great Northern Conference puts our cities, towns and villages at the heart of the conversation

The Great Northern Conference is back – in person and online – and bigger than ever. A broad range of speakers are already lined up for this prestigious event, organised by The Northern Powerhouse Partnership and JPI Media, that will take place on October 28 at the Cutler’s Hall, Sheffield.

Reflective of the dynamic circumstances, the event will be a hybrid one, with a mix of online and in-person events, talks and workshops.

From net zero and climate change to transport, infrastructure, the economy, health, education, post-Covid and more, the Great Northern Conference puts our cities, towns and villages at the heart of the conversation, and in front of some of the biggest decision-makers in the country.

The Great Northern Conference is back – in person and online – and bigger than everThe Great Northern Conference is back – in person and online – and bigger than ever
The Great Northern Conference is back – in person and online – and bigger than ever

Previous guest speakers have included Prime Minister Boris Johnston, and while this year’s list of speakers is still being finalised, there are already some powerful people adding their voice to this key calendar event for the north.

Speakers for 2021 confirmed so far include:

Claire Bambra, professor of Public Health, Newcastle University

Claire is an interdisciplinary social scientist working at the interface of public health policy, health geography and social epidemiology. She has over 20 years’ teaching experience, and holds a PGCert in Higher Education.She led the Independent SAGE report on Covid-19 and Health Inequalities, the NHSA report on Covid-19 in the North and co-leads a Health Foundation Grant on Covid-19 and Health Inequalities. She is a Director of the Equal England: Health Inequalities Knowledge Exchange Network, and she works regularly with policy and practice organisations including the NHS, Local Authorities, Public Health England, European Union and WHO.

Previous guest speakers have included Prime Minister Boris JohnstonPrevious guest speakers have included Prime Minister Boris Johnston
Previous guest speakers have included Prime Minister Boris Johnston

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region

Dan Jarvis was elected the first Mayor of Sheffield City Region in May 2018. He also serves as the MP for Barnsley Central, having become the first person since World War Two to resign his military commission in order to contest a Parliamentary by-election.As Mayor of the Sheffield City Region he works with the local authority leaders and business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region to drive prosperity and growth for all. As a sitting MP, Dan is also able to represent the Sheffield City Region right at the heart of Government.

Anne Longfield CBE, Former Children’s Commissioner for England

Anne Longfield has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. From March 2015 to February 2021, she was Children’s Commissioner for England and previously led a national children’s charity.Anne remains a passionate champion for children, influencing and shaping the national debate and policy agenda for children and their families. She spent many years campaigning for better childcare, often at a time when many saw the issue as obscure or niche.As Children’s Commissioner, Anne spent six years championing the rights and interests of children with those in power who make decisions about children’s lives, acting as children’s “eyes and ears” in the corridors of power in Whitehall and Westminster.

Reflective of the dynamic circumstances, the event will be a hybrid one, with a mix of online and in-person events, talks and workshopsReflective of the dynamic circumstances, the event will be a hybrid one, with a mix of online and in-person events, talks and workshops
Reflective of the dynamic circumstances, the event will be a hybrid one, with a mix of online and in-person events, talks and workshops

Mike Maudsley, Group Operations Director, Drax Group

Mike is responsible for leading the operation of Drax’s UK portfolio of generation assets – Drax Power Station, Cruachan Power Station, Daldowie Fuel Plant and two run-of-river hydro schemes – and pellet production operations in North America.He has held senior leadership positions, most recently in the Middle East with ENGIE, where Mike was responsible for multiple power plants. During his time in Oman and Dubai, he focused on improving profitability by driving operational excellence and a strong asset management ethos.

Mike is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow in Engineering with IMechE and has an MBA from Aston Business School. He was recently appointed as a Commissioner on the newly-formed Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.

Malcolm Morley, Chair, Radioactive Waste Management

Professor Morley was appointed RWM Chair in 2018, having previously served as an independent non-executive on the board. He oversees RWM’s work to ensure that radioactive waste is managed safely and effectively, alongside development of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the permanent disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste.

He is the former Chief Executive of Harlow Council, a role he held for 14 years, leading its transformation into an award-winning organisation. He later held a range of national and regional roles supporting public sector improvement and partnership.

Professor Morley, a visiting professor at two university business schools, was awarded an OBE in 2016 for services to local government.

Jamie Reed, Head of Corporate Affairs, Sellafield Ltd

Jamie Reed is Sellafield Ltd’s Head of Corporate Affairs, and former Member of Parliament for Copeland. As a Member of Parliament, Jamie served as both Shadow Environment and Shadow Health Minister in addition to being a UK representative on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Jamie re-joined Sellafield Ltd in 2017, having previously worked for the company prior to becoming MP for Copeland in 2005.

Born and raised in west Cumbria, his role with Sellafield Ltd enables him to work to develop the business whilst ensuring its activities have the most beneficial impact upon the local community.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor, Liverpool City Region

Steve began his political career when he was elected to serve as a councillor in 2002, representing Fazakerley ward on Liverpool City Council and held the ceremonial title of Lord Mayor of Liverpool through the city’s European Capital of Culture year in 2008.

In 2017, Steve was elected as the first Liverpool City Region Mayor, representing 1.6m people across the boroughs of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral. In his first term, he helped deliver 9,000 new jobs and 5,500 apprenticeships, set out plans for an integrated London-style transport system and set a target for the region to become net zero carbon by 2040.

On 6 May 2021, Steve was re-elected to serve a second term as Mayor with an increased majority of over 132,000 – winning almost 60% of the vote across the region.

Be part of the big debate

You can sign up as a delegate today … find out more here.

Find out more about the event, and any additional speakers, here.