Conservative Ben Fletcher and Labour’s Dan Price will outline their economic ambitions at DIB’s UNLEASHED summit
Two of the candidates hoping to become the first Mayor of Cheshire and Warrington have been confirmed as speakers at a major business summit that will be hosted by Downtown in Business.
Conservative candidate Ben Fletcher and Labour candidate Dan Price, who is currently Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, will address UNLEASHED: Cheshire & Warrington at Chester Zoo on Wednesday 11 November.
They will be joined other senior politicians, business leaders and regional decision-makers.
The half-day summit will explore how the region’s new devolution settlement can unlock investment, accelerate economic growth and create a more productive partnership between the public and private sectors.
With Cheshire and Warrington’s first mayor due to be elected in May 2027, the event will provide business leaders with an early opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their priorities for the region.
Key themes will include infrastructure, inward investment, skills, housing, transport and business growth, alongside the opportunities presented by Cheshire and Warrington’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, energy, innovation and the visitor economy.
Downtown in Business Group chair and chief executive Frank McKenna said:
“The creation of a mayor and Combined Authority represents a huge opportunity for Cheshire and Warrington, but devolution alone will not guarantee economic success.
“The new arrangements must deliver stronger leadership, quicker decisions and a genuine partnership with the private sector. This summit will give business leaders an early opportunity to hear what the mayoral candidates are offering and, just as importantly, to tell them what the region’s economy needs.
“We are delighted that Ben Fletcher and Dan Price have agreed to join us. This is shaping up to be one of the most important business and political gatherings in Cheshire and Warrington ahead of next May’s election.”
Further speakers, including senior business figures, MPs and government representatives, will be announced in the coming weeks.
UNLEASHED: Cheshire & Warrington takes place at Chester Zoo on Wednesday 11 November 2026, from 8.00am until 1.30pm.
Secure your place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/downtowninbusiness/2417033
