Great Northern Conference 2020: how to attend the event - as Boris Johnson confirmed to speak

Later this month, a number of high profile figures from the worlds of business, politics and more will come together at a major conference to discuss the need for the North of England to receive investment, as well as a boost to jobs and the economy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the conference, as well as a number of other speakers.

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The Great Northern Conference 2020 will bring civic, business and political leaders together to discuss what’s needed to see the North of England thrive, and to reaffirm the idea of the Northern Powerhouse.

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What is the Great Northern Conference?

The Great Northern Conference is a major commercial event, held to draw attention and focus to the needs of the North of England, and to provide an opportunity for northern leaders to call for greater investment and support from the government.

The conference is a collaboration between the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and media publisher JPIMedia to bring together regional leaders and stakeholders to discuss issues relating to the north of England.

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This year’s conference will be the second, after the event launched successfully in Leeds in 2019.

Where and when is it - and can I attend?

The Great Northern Conference 2020 will be held on Thursday 22 October.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event will take place online.

You can sign up to attend online, by registering at gnc.register-me.uk.

Who will be speaking?

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With a number of high profile speakers already confirmed, plus attendees from across all sectors and all parts of the North, the conference will unite voices and causes from across the region.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the conference.

The Secretary of state for Transport, Grant Schapps, has already been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the event, as well as Mayor of the Sheffield City region, Dan Jarvis.

Also speaking on the day will be Henri Murison, Director of The Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

What else will be happening?

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As well as speeches delivered by leading figures from the worlds of business, education, and politics, there will be a number of open discussions and panels taking place.

These include a discussion focussing on the economic importance of education and skills, and a debate on how policy makers can support small businesses as they recover from the impact of Covid-19

There will also be panel sessions looking at cultural strategy, the need to reinvigorate towns and cities in the North post-Covid and “creating a health agenda for the North.”