From my mailbox
Dear
I hope you won’t mind this final reminder about the above seminar, taking place in Newport on Monday, 10th September 2018, but you don’t currently appear to be represented, and I do believe the issues being discussed will be of interest.
Please note there is a charge for most delegates, although concessionary and complimentary places are available (subject to terms and conditions - see below).
The focus:
This timely seminar will bring together policymakers and key stakeholders to examine priorities for improving connectivity, increasing inward investment and tackling barriers to economic growth in Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Newport following the Secretary of State for Wales’ call for the cities to form a ‘Western Powerhouse’.
To note:
The agenda includes keynote contributions from Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP▸ , Secretary of State for Wales, UK▸ Government; Tim Bowles, Metro Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cardiff Council and Councillor Tim Warren, Leader, Bath and North East Somerset Council.
The context:
Consideration of how the ‘Western Powerhouse’ might work alongside other economic development strategies such as the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and the West of England Growth Deal;
The impending abolition of the tolls for the Severn Bridge at the end of 2018, and the opportunity this presents to economies in the region to deepen economic ties and develop a regional response to already established ‘powerhouses’ - such as the Midlands Engine and the Northern Powerhouse - in other parts of the UK; and
The seminar also comes as the Welsh Government considers whether to move forward with the proposed M4 relief road around Newport.
Key discussion points:
Establishing a shared vision for a ‘Western Powerhouse’ and to secure effective governance and build productive partnerships;
Supporting economic development across the region, identifying areas where the economies in the region share similarity and opportunities for key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, the creative industries and tech sector;
Assessing examples of best practice for establishing regional partnerships from other areas of the UK;
Priority improvements to digital and transport infrastructure - as well as housing provision in the region - in order to increase connectivity, deepen economic ties and develop the conditions for increased economic growth to support business and communities; and
Meeting the skills needs of key sectors - in the context of two different education systems - and the way ahead for fostering partnerships and increased collaboration between industry and universities to better promote research and innovation.
Speakers:
Keynotes: Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales, UK Government; Tim Bowles, Metro Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cardiff Council and Councillor Tim Warren, Leader, Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Further confirmed speakers include: Katharine Finn, Regional Leader, West & Wales, PwC; David Hoare, PR▸ and Communications Leader, GE Aviation Wales; Edward Hunt, Director, Openreach Cymru; Ben Lucas, Managing Director, Metro Dynamics; Chris Meadows, Head of Open Innovation, IQE; Tony Norris, Partner, Geldards; Dan Okey, Regional Development Manager, Great Western Railway; Sara Pepper, Director, Creative Economy, Creative Cardiff; Dr Sarah Perkins, Director, GW4 and Alexander Renggli, Chairman, Association of Economic Representatives and Counsellor and Head, Economic, Finance, Science & Innovation Section, Embassy of Switzerland.
Chair: Mark Reckless AM.
Additional senior participants are being approached.
Networking:
Places have been reserved by officials from the Competition and Markets Authority; Development Bank of Wales and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from ABP South Wales; Arup; Bath Spa University; Burges Salmon; Caerphilly County Borough Council; Childs and Sulzmann Architects; CIPD; Gloucester City Council; Grant Thornton; Greaves Brewster; GW4; Hill Dickinson; Hoare Lea; Indepen; Institute of Directors; Integrated Transport Planning; Knight Frank; Linc-Cymru Housing Association; Monmouthshire County Council; Network Rail; North Bristol SusCom; Qualifications Wales; South Gloucestershire Council; The Bristol Port Company and UK Youth Parliament.
A press pass has been reserved by a representative from South Wales Argus.
Agenda:
See below my signature, or click here any time to download the latest version.
Organised impartially by the Westminster Business Forum and the Policy Forum for Wales (find out more).
CPD certified (more details). Follow us @WBFEvents @PFWEvents for live updates.
Booking arrangements
Online booking form.
Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions below.
Please pay in advance by credit card on 01344 864796. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able to make other arrangements.
Options and charges:
Places at Developing the ‘Western Powerhouse’ - the future for the Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and Newport area (including refreshments and PDF copy of the transcripts) are £230 plus VAT▸ ;
Concessionary rate places (see conditions): £85 plus VAT. Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.
Can’t attend?
Full transcript available approximately 12 days after the event for £95 plus VAT;
Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT.
If you find the charge for places a barrier to attending, please let me know as concessionary and complimentary places are made available in certain circumstances (but do be advised that this typically applies to individual service users or carers or the like who are not supported by or part of an organisation, full-time students, people between jobs or who are fully retired with no paid work, and representatives of small charities - not businesses, individuals funded by an organisation, or larger charities/not-for-profit companies). Please note terms and conditions below (including cancellation charges).
I do hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be a most useful morning, and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Peter
Peter van Gelder
Director, Westminster Business Forum
I have ... misgivings ... about elements of conferences such as this. I'm posting it here to inform members. It starts "I hope you won’t mind this final reminder about the above seminar, taking place in Newport on Monday, 10th September 2018, but you don’t currently appear to be represented, and I do believe the issues being discussed will be of interest." and whilst the issues being discussed are of undoubted interest, I question whether this is the most effective use of time or funds. My decision is "other things to do" but others may make a different decision.
