On Wednesday 11th February 2026 Downtown in Business welcomed senior business leaders and stakeholders to an exclusive Leaders Lunch at Chester Zoo, featuring Steve Purdham, for a wide-ranging discussion on regional growth, innovation and leadership.
The event focused heavily on the opportunities presented by Cheshire and Warrington devolution, with discussion centred on how strong regional leadership, collaboration and targeted investment can help unlock the area’s next phase of economic growth.
Steve Purdham also shared insights from his career at Surf Control, alongside reflections on the growing role of artificial intelligence across business and industry, and how leaders should prepare for rapid technological change.
Attendees heard about Chester Zoo’s continued success and development following a record-breaking year in 2025, during which the zoo welcomed more than 2.1 million visitors. The discussion highlighted the zoo’s ongoing investment in world-leading habitats, conservation initiatives and scientific research, reinforcing its role as both a major regional employer and a globally recognised conservation organisation.
Downtown in Business continues to bring together political, business and civic leaders through its Leaders Lunch series, providing a platform for informed discussion on the issues shaping regional and national economies.
