Downtown in Business, in partnership with the Northern Power Towns group, will host a half-day conference on Friday 11th July 2025, at the Engine Rooms, Birchwood Park, Warrington, 9.30am-1.30pm.
The Northern Power Towns group, a partnership between public and private sector partners, including councils, businesses, and community organisations, has worked together for the last six years to support inclusive economic growth across the region.
Leaders, chief executives, and senior decision makers from a range of Northern Power Towns local authorities will attend the conference, alongside private sector partners and keynote speakers.
The focus of this year’s conference is the impact the proposed devolution for county regions will have on the government’s economic growth ambitions – and what opportunities may emerge for business with the establishment of mayors and Combined Authorities in places like Cheshire and Lancashire.
Among the confirmed speakers at the event are The Managing Director of Muse, Phil Mayall, the Managing Director of Capital & Centric Tim Heatley, and Laing O Rourke Director Paul McNerney.
Warrington Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, who co-chaired last year’s conference, said:
“It is good to bring together engaged partners across the Northwest to discuss and debate the opportunities and potential of our regional towns.
“I am a strong believer in how effective public and private partnership working can address local and regional challenges, and I’m pleased to be part of what I am sure will be stimulating discussion with a number of leaders from across the region about how we can work together to make improvements for our communities.
“The Northern Power Towns group represents millions of residents, from Runcorn to Rossendale, from Crewe to Carlisle, and by learning from each other and sharing best practice we can continue to support our ‘power towns’ to thrive across the Northwest.”
DIB Group chair and CEO Frank McKenna added:
“We are delighted to be working with the Power Towns group once again, to host this important conference. Downtown in Business is a strong advocate of collaboration, partnership, and devolution and this event will be focussing on how, by working closely together, in genuine partnership, the private and public sectors can drive the regional economy forward, with a particular emphasis on how the proposed new local government arrangements may affect our county-regions.”
To register your interest in attending the event, please CLICK HERE.
