Festival of Flourishing Regions
Info
The Festival of Flourishing Regions is a prominent gathering focused on enhancing the development and prosperity of various regions throughout the UK. It seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contributions made by cities and regions to the nation's economy, while exploring how these areas can actively facilitate the Government's current growth initiatives. This festival convenes a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, regional development experts, scholars, and leaders from business and community sectors to identify and advocate for effective strategies aimed at regional advancement.
Scheduled for 30 January 2025, the festival will feature discussions on topics such as university-industry collaborations, housing and infrastructure needs, enhancing productivity, and the potential of combined authorities. Additionally, it will present case studies from cities like Cambridge, Manchester, and Bristol based on a recent report by the Bennett Institute.
The festival is organized by Futures West in collaboration with the Growing Together Alliance, which comprises influential regional business organizations such as Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Business West, BusinessLDN, Business South, and others.
Timetable:
09.00-09.45: Registration
09.45-10.00: Welcomes
Andrea Dell, Futures West
Tony Dyer, Leader, Bristol City Council
10.00-11.00 – How to Maximize Productivity in Regions?
This session will address the primary challenges to enhancing productivity within UK regions, unveiling key policy initiatives and opportunities to elevate prosperity and living standards. The Productivity Institute's South West Productivity Forum will be inaugurated during this session.
Speakers:
- Sir Iain Gray (former MD of Airbus, Innovate UK; current Chair of Futures West)
- Andy Westwood, University of Manchester/ The Productivity Institute
- Harriet Fear, Cambridge Ahead
- Helen Simpson, University of Bristol
11.00-11.30 – Keynote Speakers
- Lord Jim O’Neill, Northern Powerhouse/ Gritstone
11.30-12.00 – Break
12.00-13.00 – Housing and Infrastructure Development by Cities and Regions
This session will focus on the historical underinvestment in housing and infrastructure and discuss how cities and combined authorities can partner with the government to drive new investment and deliver essential improvements.
Speakers:
- Peter Foster, Financial Times (chair)
- Thomas Aubrey, Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge
- Stephen Peacock, Chief Executive, West of England Combined Mayoral Authority
13.00-14.00 – Lunch
14.00-15.00 – Learning from Regional Growth: Insights from Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester
This session will explore the advantages of greater clustering in regional growth sectors and businesses. Insights from a new report on Connected Clusters will be discussed, detailing cluster dynamics in high knowledge firms and their implications for cities such as Bristol, Cambridge, London, and Manchester.
Speakers:
- Henri Murison, Northern Powerhouse (chair)
- Dan Thorp, Chief Executive, Cambridge Ahead
- Peter Stephens, Director of Government Partnerships, Arm
- Joanna Dally, Chief Business Officer, National Composites Centre
15.30-15.45 – Break
15.45 -16.45 – The Potential of Maximum Devolution for Cities and Regions
This discussion will consider the government’s approach to deep devolution and how regions can capitalize on this to enhance local governance and improve outcomes for their communities.
Speakers:
- Jennifer Wiliams, Financial Times (chair)
- Katy Shaw, University of Northumbria
- Nick Pearce, IPR, University of Bath, former Director of No 10 Policy Unit
- John Denham, University of Southampton
17.00-18.00 Drinks Reception
Attendees are invited to join the post-discussion drinks reception in the Watershed bar.
When
Where
Other events events in Bristol United Kingdom
