Despite the Easter break, Downtown in Business maintained its busy pace throughout April, hosting a range of events across the country, among them a national conference in Liverpool.
Halton, Sefton and St Helens local authority leaders contributed to our Northern Power Towns breakfast forum at Gaucho in Liverpool – an event sponsored by Morgan Sindall. Fascinating presentations from the CEO of Halton Council Stephen Young, Lisa Harris Executive Director Place at St Helens Council, and Stephen Watson, Executive Director of Place in Sefton, evidenced the very positive work taking place in all three Mersey towns, with inclusive growth, regeneration, and place making at the heart of what is happening in each area.
DIBs second annual conference of the year- ‘Change Makers Life’ – attracted over 100 delegates from across the UK, who enjoyed an eclectic series of presentations from the worlds of business, academia, and sport – with keynote addresses from the chief executive of Co-operatives PLC, Rose Marley, and the head honcho from Capital & Centric, Tim Heatley.
The Birmingham Property Club reconvened this month to hear the latest investment news from Birmingham City Council Executive Director Phillip Nell, whilst in Manchester the head of Regeneration for the Eastern Gateway at Manchester City Council, Shelagh McNearney, outlined both the successes and challenges of developing a thriving East Manchester.
Manchester, and the fabulous Fazenda, also played host to a special roundtable discussion we held with Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith. Named as one of the most influential lobbyists in Westminster, Naomi shared her thoughts about the current standing of politics in the UK, the in-depth polling her organisation had commissioned, and what the UKs future relationship with the EU might look like.
Downtown in Business was also delighted to attend Sutcliffe’s annual charity ball – were an incredible £65,000 was raised – and the official re-opening of the refurbished Townhouse Hotel in Chester.
For details of all our May events – and indeed events coming up throughout the rest of the year, visit downtowninbusiness.com/events
