Magna in Rotherham has been confirmed as the location for the event, hosted by the Convention of the North in conjunction with the NP11 and with support from Government.
The largest ever event of its kind, it will be a working Convention to debate policy through bringing together political, business, community and academic leaders from across the North of England, co-hosted by the NP11 group of all 11 Northern Local Enterprise Partnership Chairs, representing 16 million people, supported by Government and along with representatives of young people’s groups.
Speakers and a detailed agenda will be released over the coming weeks.
Together they will make a powerful, unified case to the new Prime Minister and Government for tangible investment in the Northern Powerhouse, putting it at the top of the economic agenda, so that it can fulfil its potentially transformational role in the future of the UK.
The nationally significant event will take place on 13 September at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, an iconic former steelworks that has been transformed into an award-winning educational and entertainment venue.
As well as bringing together influential bodies such as the N8 research partnership, the People’s Powerhouse, Northern Power Women and leading think-tanks such as IPPR North and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, young people from across the North will set out their vision for the North’s future, and how current leaders need to work together to achieve it.
Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said:
“I’m delighted that the Sheffield City Region is hosting this significant event, and I look forward to welcoming delegates to South Yorkshire on 13 September.
“Our country stands at a time of great change, which presents both challenges and opportunities. By working together across the North, maximising collaboration between the public and private sectors and bridging the political divide, we can make the North’s case on a national and international level, power our economy and narrow the inequality gap that persists within the UK.”
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the NP11 and of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said:
“This Summit is very timely in bringing together private and public sector partners from across all of the North, alongside Government decision makers, to further our ambitions for extraordinary inclusive growth that will benefit all in society.
“Building a thriving and well-connected Northern Powerhouse is key to ensuring that we create a productive and successful post-Brexit Britain. Ambitions to turbo-charge the North will only be achieved through effective collaboration and strong consensus across all of our great Northern towns, cities and rural communities.”
Northern Powerhouse Minister, Rt Hon Jake Berry MP, issued the following statement in support:
“The world-class Magna venue in the heart of Yorkshire is a fitting place to host this landmark event.
“This summit in Rotherham will bring together the most diverse range of Northern Powerhouse thinkers, leaders and community champions ever seen to set the agenda for a thriving and prosperous Northern Powerhouse.”
James Plant, a Member of Greater Manchester’s Youth Combined Authority (GMYCA), said:
“It’s great that young people will be represented at this year’s Convention of the North. Young people are the future of our region – we will be living and working in the North and shaping its present and its future. It’s therefore only right that we have a seat at the table when that future is being discussed. I’m looking forward to working with other young people from across our region to build a North of England that we can all be proud of.”