Leaders Lunch with Tom Riordan

Downtown in Business will host an exclusive Leaders Lunch on Thursday 11th July, at Gaucho Leeds, between. We will be joined by Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan.

The event will bring together professionals from across Leeds and beyond to discuss the changes and challenges facing the region and look forward towards the future.

Topic:

The evolution of the Leeds City region the changes and challenges facing it and looking forward to the future.

Over recent years, the Leeds City region has found itself coming up against some significant challenges.  However it has also celebrated many successes such as, securing the new Channel 4 headquarters; the UK Infrastructure Bank; the Bank of England’s northern hub; a thriving tech sector; world-leading sporting events such as the Tour de France and World Triathlon; a transformed retail core; and the city’s low carbon district heating system.

The council has been named Council of the Year and Digital Council of the Year and achieved OFSTED outstanding ratings in 2018 and 2022.

As Chief Executive, Tom Riordan has been instrumental in many of these successes and has overseen a significant transformation of the council and the city, including a £10 billion regeneration programme in the city.

His vast experience makes him the perfect choice to speak on the most pressing issues facing the region today and how various sectors can work to overcome challenges.

With the right approach and support, Downtown firmly believes that businesses and individuals can overcome the challenges facing them in today’s climate and work together to create a better more prosperous city for all.

Speakers Address:

As Leeds City Council’s Chief Executive, Tom will share his in-depth insight on the most important issues and changes happening within the Leeds City Region and how these developments are impacting on different businesses and sectors as well as individuals.

Drawing on his experience working not just as Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, but also in various roles promoting local and central government engagement, including being a trustee on the Centre for Cities Board, a member of the Children’s Social Care National Implementation Board, a Trustee of St Gemma’s Hospice and an Ambassador for Middlesbrough FC’s Charity Foundation, Tom will provide a unique and empowering insight into the support needed for both businesses operating in Leeds and those working within it to thrive in our ever-changing economy.

About the Speaker:

Tom was born in Northallerton, North Yorkshire and graduated in Modern History from Trinity College, Oxford University in 1989. He joined the UK civil service ‘fast stream’ graduate intake in 1990 and then specialised in environmental policy representing the UK in international negotiations on climate change and endangered species.

He later gained an MBA at Imperial College in 1997, before moving to Leeds and helping set up Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency for Yorkshire and Humber. He became the agency’s chief executive in 2006, aiding its work supporting 10,000 businesses during the recession and completing award-winning regeneration developments and pioneering low carbon initiatives.

Tom was appointed Chief Executive of Leeds City Council in August 2010

From May 2020 Riordan spent three months working part-time for the UK government leading the Contain strand within COVID-19 NHS Test and Trace programme, setting out the framework for managing local COVID-19 outbreaks.

He was awarded a CBE for services to local government in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list.

Benefits of Attending:

• • Hear Insights from an Industry Expert: In his time as Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, Tom has overseen a significant transformation of the city. His top priority is for Leeds’ growth and public services to be inclusive, championing mental health and diversity causes in the city. Tom has held several roles leading local and central government engagement. Be party to his invaluable insights and begin to consider your role in the future of the Leeds City region.

• • Networking with Key Figures: Be part of a fantastic opportunity to network and connect with not just Tom himself but also other influential figures in the Leeds business world and beyond.

This event is a must for anyone working in or with an interest in the Leeds City region, In particularly anyone looking to contribute to economic change in the area and develop strategies for the future will benefit greatly from Tom’s insights.

To register, please contact beth.mckenna@downtowninbusness.com

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