Treasury minister to speak at Northern Powerhouse Conference
THE commercial secretary to the treasury, Lord Jim O’Neill, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the UK Northern Powerhouse Conference & Exhibition to be held at Manchester Central on February 25-26.
Lord O’Neill is a minister within HM Treasury working closely with the Chancellor George Osborne on the Northern Powerhouse project, city devolution and infrastructure strategy.
He is the former chief economist at investment bank Goldman Sachs, where he famously coined the term BRICs to define the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
Lord O’Neill, commercial secretary to the treasury said: “Building a Northern Powerhouse is a major priority for this government to help rebalance the British economy, create jobs and unleash economic growth in the north of England.
“However, it is crucial we have the backing of businesses, and this conference is a brilliant opportunity to hear first-hand how the business community is playing its role to encourage growth locally.”
Keith Griffiths, co-founder of the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition said: “Lord O’Neill is one of the most important economic thinkers of his generation and is playing a central role in pushing the Northern Powerhouse agenda forward at the heart of government.
“His insight into the Northern Powerhouse will be incredibly useful for businesses working in the north of England, and we look forward to hearing the very latest thinking from government about how the north will reach its economic potential.”
Prof Liz Town Andrews, the research and development lead at Yorkshire Universities, Andy Koss, chief executive of Drax Power, and Asda chief executive Andy Clarke will also be speaking at the event.
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, will be participating in a panel discussion on the impact of devolution with other chief executives of the other major cities of the North.
To book tickets to the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition (25-26 February 2016) visit www.uk-northern-powerhouse.co.uk. Join the conversation on Twitter by following @UKNorthernPower for daily updates and using the hashtag #NorthernPowerhouse.
