Summit aiming to put Northern investment at top of economic agenda

Sheffield City Region has been confirmed for the biggest ever gathering of Convention of the North, co-hosted by the group that unites all the Northern Local Enterprise chairs.

The event on 13 September will be co-hosted by NP11 and will make a powerful case to the new Prime Minister and Government for tangible investment in the Northern Powerhouse.

The convention, which will bring together the North’s political, business, community and academic leaders, takes place at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.

Among the participants will be influential bodies such as the N8 research partnership, the People’s Powerhouse, Northern Power Women and think-tanks such as IPPR North and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Also, young people from across the North will set out their vision for the North’s future, and how current leaders need to work together to achieve it.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “I’m delighted that the Sheffield City Region is hosting this significant event, and I look forward to welcoming delegates to South Yorkshire on 13 September.

“Our country stands at a time of great change, which presents both challenges and opportunities. By working together across the North, maximising collaboration between the public and private sectors and bridging the political divide, we can make the North’s case on a national and international level, power our economy and narrow the inequality gap that persists within the UK.”
Roger Marsh, Chairman of the NP11 and of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, (LEP) said: “This summit is very timely in bringing together private and public sector partners from across all of the North, alongside Government decision makers, to further our ambitions for extraordinary inclusive growth that will benefit all in society.

“Building a thriving and well-connected Northern Powerhouse is key to ensuring that we create a productive and successful post-Brexit Britain.  Ambitions to turbo-charge the North will only be achieved through effective collaboration and strong consensus across all of our great Northern towns, cities and rural communities.”

The summit is backed by the Government, and Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, said: “The world-class Magna venue in the heart of Yorkshire is a fitting place to host this landmark event.

“This summit in Rotherham will bring together the most diverse range of Northern Powerhouse thinkers, leaders and community champions ever seen to set the agenda for a thriving and prosperous Northern Powerhouse.”

James Plant, a Member of Greater Manchester’s Youth Combined Authority, said: “It’s great that young people will be represented at this year’s Convention of the North.

“Young people are the future of our region – we will be living and working in the North and shaping its present and its future. It’s therefore only right that we have a seat at the table when that future is being discussed. I’m looking forward to working with other young people from across our region to build a North of England that we can all be proud of.”

Information on speakers and a detailed agenda for the gathering will be released over the coming weeks.