Friday
13 October 2017
12 noon – 3pm

Bradford has one of the youngest populations of any City in the UK and an ethnically diverse and entrepreneurial population. The district is enjoying a period of economic growth; growth of local companies and inward investment, major capital schemes and expansion of the retail and leisure offer. Kersten’s main challenge is to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth and in particular to strengthen the skills base of the district.

Kersten is the lead chief executive for innovation and growth in the Leeds City Region and will be speaking about her career path, experiences of working in the public sector and how businesses can improve diversity in the workplace.

In addition, Kersten is a trustee of NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), a member of the Council of the University of Bradford and of the National Media Museum’s Advisory Board and a Director of the Digital Health Enterprise Zone based in Bradford. Kersten was previously Chief Executive of York.

Kersten’s career has included work in the voluntary sector, higher education, central government as well as 23 years in local government. She is passionate about building resilient and confident communities, diversity and equality, supporting local democracy and sustainable and inclusive urban growth.