Book today: GNC tickets still available for October 28

Here’s how you can be part of the conversation at this year’s Great Northern Conference on October 28.
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The Great Northern Conference is back – in person and online – and bigger than ever. A broad range of speakers are lined up for this prestigious event, organised by The Northern Powerhouse Partnership and JPI Media, and it takes place on Thursday, October 28 at the Cutler’s Hall, Sheffield.

Reflective of the dynamic circumstances, the event will be a hybrid one, with a mix of online and in-person events, talks and workshops.

From net zero and climate change to transport, infrastructure, the economy, health, education, post-Covid and more, the Great Northern Conference puts our cities, towns and villages at the heart of the conversation, and in front of some of the biggest decision-makers in the country.

Join Tracy Brabin, Andy Burnham, Dan Jarvis and more – the debate has never been more importantJoin Tracy Brabin, Andy Burnham, Dan Jarvis and more – the debate has never been more important
Join Tracy Brabin, Andy Burnham, Dan Jarvis and more – the debate has never been more important

Speakers for 2021 confirmed include:

Claire Bambra, professor of Public Health, Newcastle University

Claire is an interdisciplinary social scientist working at the interface of public health policy, health geography and social epidemiology. She has over 20 years’ teaching experience, and holds a PGCert in Higher Education.She led the Independent SAGE report on Covid-19 and Health Inequalities, the NHSA report on Covid-19 in the North and co-leads a Health Foundation Grant on Covid-19 and Health Inequalities. She is a Director of the Equal England: Health Inequalities Knowledge Exchange Network, and she works regularly with policy and practice organisations including the NHS, Local Authorities, Public Health England, European Union and WHO.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region

Dan Jarvis was elected the first Mayor of Sheffield City Region in May 2018. He also serves as the MP for Barnsley Central, having become the first person since World War Two to resign his military commission in order to contest a Parliamentary by-election.As Mayor of the Sheffield City Region he works with the local authority leaders and business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region to drive prosperity and growth for all. As a sitting MP, Dan is also able to represent the Sheffield City Region right at the heart of Government.

Anne Longfield CBE, Former Children’s Commissioner for England

Anne Longfield has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. From March 2015 to February 2021, she was Children’s Commissioner for England and previously led a national children’s charity.Anne remains a passionate champion for children, influencing and shaping the national debate and policy agenda for children and their families. She spent many years campaigning for better childcare, often at a time when many saw the issue as obscure or niche.As Children’s Commissioner, Anne spent six years championing the rights and interests of children with those in power who make decisions about children’s lives, acting as children’s “eyes and ears” in the corridors of power in Whitehall and Westminster.

Andy Burnham, Mayor, Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham was first elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2017 and was re- elected for a second term in May 2021.

Responsible for shaping the future of Greater Manchester, Andy’s priorities include building a London-style integrated transport system, ending rough sleeping, transforming Greater Manchester into one of the greenest city regions in Europe and making Greater Manchester a great place to grow up, get on, and grow old.

Before being elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy was MP for Leigh from 2001. In government, Andy has held Ministerial positions at the Home Office, Department of Health and the Treasury. In 2008 he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, before returning to Health as Secretary of State in 2009.

In opposition, Andy has served as Shadow Education Secretary, Shadow Health Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary.

Andy lives in Leigh, Greater Manchester, with his wife and three children.

Malcolm Morley, Chair, Radioactive Waste Management

Professor Morley was appointed RWM Chair in 2018, having previously served as an independent non-executive on the board. He oversees RWM’s work to ensure that radioactive waste is managed safely and effectively, alongside development of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the permanent disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste.

He is the former Chief Executive of Harlow Council, a role he held for 14 years, leading its transformation into an award-winning organisation. He later held a range of national and regional roles supporting public sector improvement and partnership.

Professor Morley, a visiting professor at two university business schools, was awarded an OBE in 2016 for services to local government.

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, Shadow Minister Digital, Science & Technology

Chi Onwurah is a British Member of Parliament representing Newcastle upon Tyne Central and is also Shadow Minister Digital, Science & Technology. Over the last 10 years, Chi has held various Shadow Minister positions for Strategy, Science and Innovation, Culture and Digital Economy, and Digital Infrastructure. Chi continues to encourage women in STEM. Prior to Chi’s election to Parliament in May 2010 she worked as Head of Telecoms Technology at the UK regulator Ofcom and was a Partner in Hammatan Ventures, a US technology consultancy, developing the GSM markets in Nigeria and South Africa. Chi is a Chartered Engineer with a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College London and an MBA from Manchester Business School.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor, Liverpool City Region

Steve began his political career when he was elected to serve as a councillor in 2002, representing Fazakerley ward on Liverpool City Council and held the ceremonial title of Lord Mayor of Liverpool through the city’s European Capital of Culture year in 2008.

In 2017, Steve was elected as the first Liverpool City Region Mayor, representing 1.6m people across the boroughs of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral. In his first term, he helped deliver 9,000 new jobs and 5,500 apprenticeships, set out plans for an integrated London-style transport system and set a target for the region to become net zero carbon by 2040.

On 6 May 2021, Steve was re-elected to serve a second term as Mayor with an increased majority of over 132,000 – winning almost 60% of the vote across the region.

Be part of the big debate

You can sign up as a delegate today … find out more here.

Find out more about the event, and any additional speakers, here.