City leaders flock to Liverpool

MORE than 200 leaders from the world’s capital cities will gather in Liverpool today for one of the International Festival for Business’ main events.

The BT Global City Leaders’ Summit at St George’s Hall will aim to explore the obstacles and opportunities of city life.
 
Minister for cities Greg Clark will offer a UK perspective to an audience of over 300 delegates from across the world.
 
He will be joined by leaders from cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Istanbul, Beirut, Bogota, Quito and Rabat.

The summit will also include a session about the role of culture in a city economy, with a panel that includes the chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko.

Meanwhile, an event called Women Inspiring the Economy is being hosted by a group called Women 1st which is campaigning to increase the number of women in senior positions in the tourist industry.

The event, at the Marriott Hotel, will incorporate panel discussions, keynote speakers and workshops.

Speakers include: Jenny Willott MP, Minister for Women & Equalities; PR woman Lynne Franks who will be in conversation with Marion King, UK president of Mastercard; and Lara Morgan, chief executive of Company Shortcuts.

Women 1st is a campaigning arm of People 1st, a skills and development charity for employers in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.