West Yorkshire Economic Growth & Development Conference

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Stewart Golton, Liberal Democrat Candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor

A committed and passionate councillor in Leeds, Stewart will be representing the Liberal Democrats in the inaugural Mayoral race. He joins us to set out his vision for regeneration across all the Leeds city region boroughs and engage with our delegates on how they can help him deliver it should he be successful.

UK Parliament – Tracy Brabin MP, Labour Candidate for West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor

Tracy has been MP for Batley and Spennymoor since 2016 and was a prominent member of the Labour Shadow Cabinet before the 2019 general election. Promising to tackle the enormous task of being the first Mayor of West Yorkshire by summoning the spirit of Andy Burnham and championing the region on the international stage. Tracy joins us to talk about her priorities for regeneration if she wins the election and to take questions from our audience.

Wakefield Council – Cllr Darren Byford, Deputy Leader

With ambitions to build 1400 homes a year over the next decade and major investment imminent from the UK government town’s fund, it’s a great time to be investing and developing in Wakefield. As part of the event, Cllr Byford will set out the council’s priority for the economic recovery in a post-Covid world as well as discussing the dynamic’s of the incoming West Yorkshire Metro Mayor.

Leeds City Council – Fiona Bolam, Head of Economic Policy

With Leeds looking to rapidly leave the Covid-19 pandemic in its rear view mirror attention turns to inclusive regeneration and with close to 800,000 residents comprising the city, the council have a tough task on their hands. In this session, Fiona will talk about how encouraging property investment and regeneration will spearhead the economic recovery and how policy at the council will reflect the “build back better” programme.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Andrew Cooper, Green Party Mayoral Candidate for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral Election

Andrew Cooper is the Green Party’s Energy Spokesperson and a Councillor on Kirklees Council and was first elected in 1999. Andrew has been a Kirklees Cabinet Member for Housing and Property in a shared administration. In the years when the Council was under no overall control Andrew was successful in getting a number of amendments to the Councils Budget adopted. This included making Kirklees Warm Zone the first universally free insulation scheme in the UK resulting in 50,000 private householders getting their homes insulated. Andrew was also a member of the EU Committee of the Regions between 2015 and 2020 where he has been a key figure in raising the importance of Local and Regional Authorities as part of the annual UN Climate Talks process.

Mott MacDonald – Lisa Littlefair, Leeds City Director

Lisa is the cities account lead for Leeds and her background is in economic development. She works to connect the multi-disciplinary expertise across Mott MacDonald with the challenges and opportunities within the Leeds City Region to generate benefit to people, places and the economy. Lisa is interested in how digital innovation can drive the delivery of inclusive and sustainable solutions.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Ben Still, Managing Director

Delivering major investment into transport infrastructure places heavily on the list of priorities of Ben’s team at the Combined Authority and as part of this session he will talk about the plans for a West Yorkshire Transit Network while also discussing creating opportunity in each of the five West Yorkshire boroughs through improving connectivity.

Scarborough Group International – Mark Jackson, Director

Scarborough Group International are planning to deliver a £150m Olympic Legacy Masterplan in the Don Valley which will see the development of 15 commercial buildings, a new stadium, an arena and world class green space. With a 15 year pipeline of work, once completed the development will be home to 5900 new jobs and become home to some of the most important businesses in the Sheffield City region.

Calderdale Council – Robin Tuddenham, Chief Executive

One of the key architects behind the Calderdale Next Chapter vision, Robin has overseen a major metamorphosis in the towns and villages of Calderdale with millions of pound of investment set to continue to be poured in. With 17 major projects upcoming including the regeneration of Elland and Halifax Town Centres and major infrastructure schemes set to unlock even more, Robin joins the event to share key market intelligence about their development programmes.

Munroe K – David Aspin, Managing Director

Experts in developing projects surrounding key infrastructure, Munroe K are leading the recently approved major investment programme surrounding a new rail station and commercial space at White Rose Shopping Centre. David has fostered a reputation for working strongly with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is deeply invested in the Leeds City region levelling up agenda and will go into depth about his organisation’s future plans for investment and development.

Built Environment Networking – Amanda Griffiths, Director

Amanda is one of the Co-Founder’s of Built Environment Networking – formed almost 10 years ago.

She’ll be hosting throughout the day, running the days proceedings and managing the interaction between our delegates and the speakers.

Leeds City Council – Lee Arnell, Executive Regeneration Manager

Leeds City council are half way through their £10bn regeneration programme which is bringing to life a variety of major sites as part of their vision for an ambitious, well connected healthy city. Partnering with a raft of major developers to support projects such as Kirkstall Forge, Aire Park and Mabgate, they will also update delegates on plans for the South Bank and progress on the £450m Leeds Innovation District.

Selby District Council – Dave Caulfield, Director of Economic Regeneration and Place

Selby District Council are looking to bring forward seven new town centre development sites aimed at improving the improving space for business, better quality homes and improvement of public realm. As part of this event, Dave will be talking about opportunities for the private sector to get involved in the regeneration and how it will change the face of the local economy.

Built Environment Networking – Fahmida Nisa, Host & Event Manager

Nisa is a research, marketing and content specialist at Built Environment Networking. She will be hosting a number of the sessions throughout the day, running the day’s proceedings and managing the interaction between our virtual delegates and the speakers.

HBD – Tom Wheldon, Director & Head of Yorkshire & North East Region

HBD are one of the most active private sector developers in the North Yorkshire region. They are currently developing a £107m scheme on the site of the former Terry’s chocolate HQ. Aptly titled, The Chocolate Works, the scheme will see the delivery of 163 individually designed apartments where the main multi-storey factory once was, as well as 22 bespoke apartments within The Clock Tower building. The Chocolate Works will also include a new brain surgery hospital creating 145 healthcare jobs, and retaining a vital health service in the city following the closure of The Retreat.