This Wednesday prominent business and public sector leaders will come together at the West Yorkshire Development Conference – the region’s largest business conference of the year.

Running for the third consecutive 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 region. More than 30 speakers will discuss and present plans for the future of the region including:

  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Susan Hinchliffe, Chair
  • Caddick Group; Johnny Caddick, Director
  • Welcome to Yorkshire; Peter Dodd, Commercial Director
  • Network Rail; Paul McKeown, Investment Director
  • Transport for the North; Owen Wilson, Major Roads & Strategy Manager
  • MEPC; Paul Pavia, Head of Development
  • Kirklees Council; Naz Parker, Director of Housing
  • Yorkshire Water; Nevil Muncaster, Director of Asset Management
  • Office for Students; Nicola Turner, Head of Sector Practice
  • Sustrans; Rosslyn Colderly, Director for the North
  • Highways England; Anthony Firth, Head of Planning, Development & Operations
  • Connect Housing; Helen Lennon, Chief Executive
  • Conroy Brook; Richard Conroy, Chief Executive Officer
  • Homes England; Dilys Jones, Head of Home Ownership & Supply
  • Leeds City Council; Angela Barnicle, Head of Asset Management
  • WDH; Andrew Wallhead, Director of Investment
  • Railfuture; Nina Smith, Chair
  • Leeds City Council; James Lewis, Deputy Leader
  • Leeds Digital Festival; Stuart Clarke, Director

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.

Anthony Firth, Head of Planning and Development at Highways England, said: “At Highways England we connect the country. Our roads keep businesses moving and help the economy of West Yorkshire to thrive. Working with partners and stakeholder organisations across the county is vital to our success and we’re excited to be speaking at this event, working together to explore how we can develop the region’s potential.”

Tom Stannard, Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth at Wakefield Council said: “Over the next 18 years, our population is expected to increase by 9.5% which means that we need 1,600 new homes per year. We’ve recently had an extensive consultation with a range of partners, stakeholders and residents to understand what their needs are and to inform the next three-year Housing Plan. Our 2019-2022 housing plan focuses on a strong housing development that can drive regeneration and economic growth with a high quality and diverse range of housing that not only meets everyone’s needs and aspirations but also creates sustainable communities with homes that are affordable and healthy to live in, which we’ll be discussing at the event.”

Claire Wilkinson, Real Estate Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, said: “The Yorkshire region is looking to establish funds to build new communities around areas earmarked for growth. As a firm, we are absolutely invested in supporting initiatives to help the region grow and have worked extensively over the years with the public and private sector. We will continue to work in partnership with Government, businesses and other stakeholders to ensure Yorkshire and the Northern cities secure investment and deliver economic growth. Our Leeds office is committed to bringing richer prospects to Yorkshire, advising local businesses on domestic and global legal matters.”

Amanda Coupland, Director of Built Environment Networking said: ‘’Civic and business leaders in the region have an evident ambition to deliver an unprecedented level of economic growth within West Yorkshire, 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 via the Northern Powerhouse agenda. They’re both set to enable much 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.’’

Nevil Muncaster, Director of Asset Management at Yorkshire Water, said: “Over recent years we have increasingly seen how working together with partners has the potential to unlock significant additional benefits when compared to working alone. These benefits are often in important areas for inclusive growth, such as boosting natural and social capital, so it is really important that we see every investment as an opportunity to maximise growth. One example of thinking differently is our work in conjunction with our sister company Keyland, where we are supporting the development of new homes that provide great places to live, yet use minimum amounts of water and energy. The conference is a great opportunity to share some of the things we’ve learnt recently and to explore new opportunities for working together to benefit Yorkshire.”

Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for the North, said: ‘’Creating a high quality, consistent cycling and walking network as an integral part of our transport systems can have a strong positive impact on our regional economy as well as people’s health and the environment. Sustrans created the National Cycle Network, with 16,575 miles of cycle and walking routes, including many popular paths in West Yorkshire. We look at the economic and health potential of developing this and wider urban schemes across the region. If we begin to recognise and prioritise the needs of walkers and cyclists in our existing and future build schemes we can create liveable communities and create a culture of active travel where people feel connected, safe and proud of the areas where they live, rest and play. We know that the most desirable places to live are those where residents can easily walk and cycle around their neighbourhood. Sustrans are experts at designing Liveable places in collaboration with developers.’’

Andy Wallhead, Investment Director at WDH, said: “We’re very pleased to be invited to this year’s conference, alongside others who share our vision and commitment to developing and growing our region. Building high quality homes and creating places where people want to live is crucial to growing our regional and UK economy and we are proud to be contributing to that.”

Stephen Moore, City Manager, CityFibre, comments: “We’re pleased to support this year’s West Yorkshire Development Conference, which always generates some fantastic discussions around the region’s future potential and the opportunities for collaboration. Our own work in Yorkshire is gaining real traction, with a transformative £150 million project well underway to bring our full fibre infrastructure past almost every home and business in Leeds and Huddersfield. We’re chairing a panel discussion on digital connectivity at the event and look forward to exploring the exciting possibilities of Yorkshire’s digital transformation with those at the forefront of the region’s development.”

Richard Conroy, CEO of Conroy Brook Group of Companies, said: “These are exciting, if somewhat uncertain times for the Yorkshire housebuilding market. Despite a number of headwinds, there is still a structural imbalance in the housing market with a large shortfall in required homes. The award wining Conroy Brook Group (now comprising Ben Bailey Homes) is looking to cement its position as one of Yorkshire ’s leading SME housebuilders. A new £10m revolving credit facility from HSBC is testament to the perceived strength of the company and the Yorkshire region housing market and we look forward to a day of great debate and discussion with our peers”.

For more information or to book tickets to the event on the 5th June visit www.built-environment-networking.com/WYDC19 and for media enquiries please contact Nathan Spencer at nathan.spencer@www.built-environment-networking.com