On June 30th, Centre for Cities hosted ‘Realising Regional Growth: What next for the West Midlands?’ at Millennium Point, Birmingham – the third in a series of regional events exploring what the Levelling Up programme means in reality for local economic growth around the country.

The half-day conference brought together national and regional politicians, academics and business leaders to discuss how the West Midlands can build on its existing strengths, as well as developing new ones, in order to harness opportunities presented by the Levelling Up Agenda and Innovation Accelerator status to maximise growth not just across the region, but across the whole UK.

Keynote Speakers:

• Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
• Lord Sainsbury of Turville, former Minister for Science and Innovation
• Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact and Investment Director, Legal & General

Panel Speakers:

• Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
• Dr Pam Waddell, Director, West Midlands Innovation Alliance
• Professor Simon Green, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Aston University and Chair of Midlands Innovation