Our Future, Our North: From local roots to regional wealth Lord Jim O'Neill, Charlie Jeffery, Darren Pirie and Ben Pykett
Event details
How can York and North Yorkshire become the premier region for investment and new opportunities in the UK? Our expert panel explores how a ‘ground up’ approach – uniting local talent, businesses, government and universities – can spark a new era of regional success, creating better jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
Our event begins with a keynote address by prominent economist Lord Jim O'Neill who will discuss the conditions for growth. Afterwards, join our expert panel including Ben Pykett, author of the Demos/PwC Good Growth for Cities Index; Darren Pirie, Head of NatWest Group Accelerator and Strategic Partnerships; and Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York.
- Keynote: 11am to 11.30am
- Panel: 11.45am to 1pm
This event is part of the Festival Focus series ‘Our Future, Our North: Building jobs and prosperity’ exploring how the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) is driving economic growth, creating new job opportunities and benefitting the pockets of everyone in the North of England.
You may also be interested in ‘Our Future, Our North: Regional growth - the new tech trio’ and ‘Our Future, Our North: Good growth - from strategy to your street’ also on Wednesday 10 June. Come along to one session or join us for the whole day.
About the speakers
Jim O’Neill, Lord O’Neill of Gatley, is an ex-Treasury Minister, former Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs and Crossbench member of the House of Lords. Until October 2014, Jim chaired the Cities Growth Commission in the UK, when it provided its final recommendations, which formed the impetus for the government’s policy on devolution as well as the concept of the Northern Powerhouse.
Charlie Jeffery is Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York. He has a deep-rooted interest in how university research and education can serve the general benefit of society, or public good. At York, he has worked to bring together the University with local authorities, businesses, other universities and colleges to promote inclusive economic development, and to open up access to university study and economic opportunity to people from disadvantaged backgrounds - both in the UK and internationally. Charlie is Chair of the N8 Research Partnership (a collaboration of the eight most research intensive universities in the North of England), a member of the Partnership Board of key organisations in the City of York, the York Central Steering Board, and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Darren Pirie is Head of NatWest Group Accelerator and Strategic Partnerships. The free Accelerator programme - offered through the Royal Bank, NatWest and Ulster Bank brands - supports entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses.
Ben Pykett is a Partner in PwC's Devolved and Local Government team and is the Regional Leader for Consulting in the West and Wales region. He works alongside public sector clients to shape and deliver complex transformation programmes and strategy interventions. Prior to joining PwC, Ben held a number of senior roles within the local government sector.
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