REGISTER | Question Time Manchester: Defining the capital of the North

KEITH BAILEY, GROSVENOR | Responsible for delivering Grosvenor’s investment strategy away from the core London estate holding. The aim is to identify opportunities to invest on a sole basis and with partners to build a diversified investment portfolio.

HENRI MURISON, NORTHERN POWERHOUSE PARTNERSHIP | As its first permanent director, he has established the Northern Powerhouse Partnership as the business-led organisation which convenes the North together.

SIR RICHARD LEESE, MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL | Became leader of the council in 1996. During his tenure, the city has grown and its skyline changed with the transformation of the city centre and establishment of the East Manchester urban regeneration company.

FIONA FLETCHER-SMITH, L&Q | Spearheaded a £5bn development programme, led expansion into the Midlands and North West, and delivered change programmes to improve both the efficiency and diversity of the development and sales function.

JEREMY HINDS, SAVILLS | Has a strong reputation in commercial planning, particularly retail. He leads two teams that between them comprise six directors, based in Manchester, Leeds and London.

RICK DE BLABY, GET LIVING | Has 40 years’ experience in development and investment in both the residential and commercial sectors, with a particular interest in regeneration and design.

From our sponsors

Jeremy Hinds, director, national planning, property advisor Savills

Manchester continues to be a dynamic city, attracting investors, new workers, and new jobs. The foundation for success was set down in a world that is different from today’s, and the opportunity for Question Time Manchester exists to explore how the challenges going forwards in terms of sustainability, climate change and other risks will be managed in order to allow Manchester to continue to succeed and build upon those impressive foundations.

Emma Williams, senior business development manager, Morgan Sindall Construction – North West

Manchester is at the forefront of the UK when it comes to investment, academia, sports, and development. Place North West’s Question Time Manchester event promises to be a brilliant opportunity to discuss what our city has already achieved, and how we can ensure we remain at the cutting edge. By sharing insights on topics such as the economic recovery from the pandemic and skills, we can ensure key stakeholders from across Manchester can be united in the common goal of making our city one of the world’s very best.

As a business that uses our projects in the region to improve social and economic wellbeing, we couldn’t be prouder to support an event that shares the values that are so important to us.

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, group chief executive, residential developer L&Q

We’re delighted to support Place North West Question Time Manchester. By bringing together some of the key players involved, this looks set to be an important and insightful conversation about the future of growth in the North West.

We know that Greater Manchester alone needs 200,000 homes over the next 20 years, of which at least 50,000 need to be genuinely affordable. L&Q, including Trafford Housing Trust, has set out on a mission to build 20,000 homes over the coming years to help meet that need, of which at least 50% will be affordable.

Our ambition goes beyond that – to building better, more sustainable homes in beautiful places which stand the test of time. All whilst investing to level up local communities through our North West Foundation and Academy. We look forward to taking part in this fascinating event.

Colm Howard-Lloyd, director of public affairs, planning communications consultancy Cratus

We are thrilled to be supporting Place North West for this key event in Manchester’s calendar.

Our city region continues to create a massive opportunity for homes, businesses, and developers. Companies such as Cratus are expanding our presence here to be a part of that future.

There are changes coming in the political leadership of our region, we have a pandemic to recover from, and we must ensure we take full advantage of the government’s Levelling-Up agenda.

We shouldn’t just level up though; Manchester is ready to level beyond. We should no longer be satisfied being referred to as the UK’s second (or third) city, and we stand proud on the international stage. I look forward to hearing from the panel and audience, at Place North West’s Question Time Manchester event, how we are going to make the best of that together.

Dave Ferry, director of business development, at broadband connectivity provider ITS

ITS builds full fibre networks and has recently won several industry awards, recognising our ability to develop bespoke technical and commercial solutions to meet the needs of customers. ITS’s gigabit capable networks, promoted using the Faster Britain brand, are built to serve business communities across the UK, who can access those networks via more than 200 partners.

Digital connectivity is an integral part of the built environment, allowing people to work flexibly and access the resources they need whether at home, in the office or on the road. ITS is committed to working with local authorities, the property sector and business communities to ensure that businesses have access to the connectivity that they need, when they need it.