On the 23rd May, prominent business and public sector leaders will come together at the Midlands Development Conference – the region’s largest business conference of the year.
The conference, hosted by Built Environment Networking, will see some of the region’s biggest names in business, politics and local government lead a regional economic debate including discussions on transport, housing, skills and industrial strategy to maximise opportunities within the Midlands. More than 30 speakers will discuss and present plans for the future of the region including:

  • House of Lords UK 2070 Commission; Lord Bob Kerslake
  • Impact Hub; Immy Kaur, Chief Executive
  • Birmingham City Council; Dawn Baxendale, Chief Executive Officer
  • Toton Delivery Board; Kay Cutts, Chair
  • Nottingham City Council; David Bishop, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
  • Coventry City Council; Martin Reeves, Chief Executive
  • East Midlands Councils; Andrew Pritchard, Chair
  • Midlands Engine; Anthony May, Chairman
  • Shropshire Council; Tim Smith, Head of Business Enterprise
  • Midlands Connect; Maria Machancoses, Director
  • Urban Growth Company; Jonathan Bretherton, Managing Director
  • Transport for the West Midlands; Anne Shaw, Director – Network Resilience
  • Canal & River Trust; Adnan Said, Director – West Midlands
  • Manchester & East Midlands Rail Action Partnership; Stephen Chaytow, Chair
  • DB Symmetry; Jonathan Wallis, Development Director
  • D2N2 LEP; Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive
  • West Midlands Trains; Christopher Blake, New Stations Manager
  • Worcestershire LEP; Gary Woodman, Chief Executive
  • Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP; Katie Trout, Chief Executive Officer
  • University of Derby; Judith Lamie, Pro-Vice Chancellor – External Affairs
  • Sladen Estates; Rachel Wood, Development Director
  • Bruntwood; Rob Valentine, Development Director
  • Harworth Group; David Cockroft, Regional Director
  • Coventry & Warwickshire LEP; Paula Deas, Operations Director
  • Nottingham Trent University; Prof Nigel Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation
  • Coventry University; Prof Ian Marshall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • University of Leicester / Leicester Space Park; Grant Bourhill, Chief Executive & Interim Director – Research & Enterprise
  • Aston University; Mark Smith, Executive Director – Business Engagement
  • Miller Birch; Mark Bielby, Development Director
  • West Midlands Combined Authority; Patricia Willoughby, Head of Policy

The day-long event will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to hear about the collaborative approach to economic growth from the public and private sectors with the aim of ensuring positive regeneration and development within the region.

Speaking ahead of the event Jonathan Bretherton, Managing Director of the Urban Growth Company in Solihull, said: “There is a real sense that this is the Midlands’ time to shine and our plans for The Hub in Solihull really epitomise that opportunity and positivity.  We’re talking about the creation of a new, sustainable, urban quarter, supporting thousands of jobs and new homes, underpinned by unrivalled infrastructure and transport connectivity.  Partnership working is key to delivering this and that’s why we’re pleased to be a part of this conference, alongside like-minded organisations with an aligned vision for what our region can achieve.”

Grant Bourhill, Chief Executive Officer – Leicester Science Parks, and interim Director Research and Enterprise, said: “We’re delighted to be attending the Midlands Development Conference. The University of Leicester plays an important role in the economic growth of the city, county and region and we are implementing ambitious plans. This includes a new estates master plan and, together with partners, we are developing Space Park Leicester, a new industry-academic cluster focused on space and related industries.”

Keith Griffiths, MD of Built Environment Networking said: ‘’Civic and business leaders in the region have an evident ambition to deliver an unprecedented level of economic growth in the Midlands, and the next five years will set the foundations for that. It’s an incredibly exciting period for the region with the arrival of HS2 and the focus on connecting regional towns and cities to be an enabler to larger opportunities. This conference will be central to understanding the barriers to growth, whilst ensuring alignment and collaboration in the industry to boost jobs, skills, growth and regeneration across the whole region.’’

For more information or to book tickets to the event on the 23rd May visit www.built-environment-networking.com/MDC19 and for media enquiries please contact Nathan Spencer at nathan.spencer@www.built-environment-networking.com