A three day business summit to celebrate Northern innovation and discuss the future direction of the Northern Powerhouse is taking place from today until 6 July.
The summit is bringing together businesses, government ministers, Northern Mayors, and business leaders from across the North of England. Together they will help to shape the next stage of the Northern Powerhouse through panel discussions, presentations, workshops and speeches.
The summit takes place at the heart of the Great Exhibition of the North, on the site where 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson designed his pioneering locomotive – the Rocket.
From the Industrial Revolution to the government’s Industrial Strategy, themes of discussions across the 3 days will include how the Northern Powerhouse can be at the forefront of the Strategy, including the role of the North in the government’s ‘Grand Challenges’. These challenges are: growing the Artificial Intelligence and data driven economy, clean growth, the future of mobility and an ageing society.
Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry said:
“The Northern Powerhouse is a top priority for our government and it is right that it should be central to the Great Exhibition of the North.
“The last Great Exhibition was in 1851, when the North was powering the Industrial Revolution. This summit is about making sure that the Northern Powerhouse is creating a Northern economy fit for the future with the North at the forefront of a fourth Industrial Revolution.”
The event will explore the creativity and innovation of northern businesses – from SMEs to FTSE100s – and the role the Northern Powerhouse will play in maximising the opportunities of Brexit.
There will also be discussion on how to tackle the North-South divide in educational attainment and outline the measures government is undertaking to reverse historic under-investment in northern transport and super-connect the great cities and towns of the North.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism Michael Ellis said:
“The Great Exhibition of the North is a watershed moment for NewcastleGateshead that will celebrate not only art and culture, but the incredible design and innovation from across the North.
This business summit will bring Northern leaders together to showcase the region’s industrial strengths and attract future investment.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Councillor Nick Forbes, said:
“The Northern Powerhouse Business Summit is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that is great about our region and we are delighted to be hosting this event in NewcastleGateshead as part of the Great Exhibition of the North.
“Building a stronger northern economy and maximising opportunities for investment is crucially important – not just for our region but for the whole country.
“This event brings together key people and organisations who can develop the blueprints for future growth in the North.”
Cabinet Member for the Economy at Gateshead Council, Councillor John Adams, welcomes the summit and said:
The summit provide a platform to showcase the breadth of talent and capabilities of Northern business to a national and international audience, showing that we can compete globally in sectors including manufacturing, digital, and business services and it will demonstrate the exciting and rewarding careers that are available to people here in the North East.
Follow the Northern Powerhouse Business Summit on Twitter by searching #NPHSummit. For updates on the Great Exhibition of the North, please follow @GetNorth2018 or search: #GetNorth2018
The Northern Powerhouse Business Summit is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and free to attend.