Magna conference to shape post-Brexit future for the north

The one-day event on September 13 is being organised by the Convention of the North group and NP11, a consortium of all 11 Northern Local Enterprise Partnership chairs, with support from the Government. 

It will bring together the north’s political, business, community and academic leaders, along with young people’s groups. 

The event will centre on workshops discussing policy on skills and education, housing, transport, innovation, trade and investment and clean growth.

The aim is to form a “powerful, unified case” to demand from the 

Government for tangible investment in the Northern Powerhouse project “so that it can fulfil its potentially transformational role in the future of the UK”.

Speakers at the event will include Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis; chair of the NP11 and of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Roger Marsh; chair of Convention of the North, Cllr Nick Forbes and Northern Powerhouse minister, Jake Berry MP.

Mr Marsh said: “"To deliver an economy that is future-proof, it’s a no brainer that the North should be front and centre of plans for the UK’s prosperity and competitiveness after Brexit. 

“This event will be critical to realising the North’s true potential.  

“Our region has major strengths in areas such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, tourism, logistics, professional services and higher education. 

“Now is the time to maximise these strengths by increasing collaboration across the North so that its great towns, cities and rural communities can play a major role in a truly global UK.”

BBC business expert Steph McGovern has been lined up to host the event.

Ms McGovern, who is from Middlesbrough, said: “As a proud northerner I’m looking forward to hosting this event and hearing the proposals our northern leaders and the Government will bring to the table to ensure the North can stand on its own two feet and continue to prosper after Brexit. 

“With thousands of fantastic businesses based here, the North is hugely important to the UK's economy. 

“This event is an important chance to attract much needed investment.”  

Mr Forbes said the event would allow people from all areas to agree the way forward.

“From transport to climate change, skills to investment, we know the issues we need to address if we are to grow, and we know the benefits this can bring to the whole of the UK,” he said.

“This Convention of the North will give our regions a louder voice than ever before to secure this and prepare us for a period of great change in our country.”

Mr Berry said the Government was already investing £13 billion to deliver better transport across the North, over £5 billion to boost jobs and growth and £400million through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund to support growth but added: “We have so much more to do. 

“I look forward to hearing from the wide range of proud Northern voices at this landmark event as we come together to set out our plan to level up our regions and make the most of the opportunities Brexit will bring when we leave the EU on October 31.”

The event will also bring together 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 future and show how current leaders need to work together to achieve it.

Rgistration is now open for the event by emailing [email protected].