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Date & Time:

September 11, 2025
9:00 am

–

10:00 pm

Location:

Liverpool City, United Kindom
Register for Event

Why Attend

The next Get Britain Growing conference in the national Chamber UK series is coming to the North West. Join speakers including Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, Bill Esterson MP, alongside regional leaders from across the North West, followed by a dinner featuring Greater Manchester Mayor, Rt Hon Andy Burnham.

This event is organised in partnership with NOCN Group.

Date: Thursday 11 September

Time: 9.00am–5:30pm; ticketed dinner to follow

Location: Liverpool City location venue confirmed upon acceptance of ticket (Security checks in place)

Travel: Parking is available on site.

As regional and local government play an increasingly central role in delivering economic growth in partnership with business, the North West continues to evolve through dynamic sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, AI, digital innovation, and transport infrastructure.

Through our unique sprint methodology, this conference offers a timely opportunity to collaborate with leading figures from across the North West to develop solutions to the region’s most pressing growth challenges.

The event includes keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, refreshments, lunch, including a half-day sprint workshop on targeted topics representing constituencies across the region.

Sponsorship opportunities are available – please contact Partnerships Director, Ben McDermott at ben.mcdermott@chamberuk.com.

.For ticketing queries, please contact info@chamberuk.com.

Our Speakers

OIP

Bill Esterson MP

Chair of of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee,

Bill will be speaking at the day conference and the dinner.

Bio

Bill Esterson MP

Bill Esterson is the Labour Member of Parliament for Sefton Central, having first been elected in 2010. With a background in business and a longstanding commitment to sustainable economic development, he brings a wealth of experience to his role as Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee.
As Chair of DESNZ, Esterson leads parliamentary scrutiny of UK Government policy on energy resilience, climate targets, net zero delivery, and the long-term transition to a clean energy economy. Under his leadership, the Committee has examined critical areas such as energy affordability, grid infrastructure, industrial decarbonisation, and the role of renewables and new technologies in securing the UK’s future energy mix.
A strong advocate for regional growth and skills, Esterson has consistently championed the potential of the North West and other regions to lead the UK’s green industrial transformation. He is also a prominent voice on workforce development, clean energy investment, and the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving national climate and energy goals.
Before entering politics, he ran a small business and served as a school governor, experience which informs his focus on inclusive economic growth and practical policymaking.

Steve Rotheram 2018

Steve Rotheram

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

Steve will be speaking at the day conference.

Bio

Steve Rotheram

Steve Rotheram is the Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, first elected in 2017 and returned for a third term in May 2024. A former MP for Liverpool Walton, he began his career as a bricklayer before moving into public service as a councillor and later Lord Mayor of Liverpool – experience that underpins his practical, community-first approach to leadership. Wikipedialiverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.ukliverpoollep.orgljmu.ac.uk
As Mayor, Rotheram focuses on tackling inequality and widening opportunity across the six boroughs of the city region. He leads on policy, resources and transport for the Combined Authority, using devolution to deliver growth that benefits people and places often overlooked by Westminster. liverpoolcityregion-ca.moderngov.co.uk
A relentless advocate for better, greener transport, he has taken the decision to bring buses back under public control through franchising, extended the £2 bus fare cap, and announced nearly £110m to modernise the network – including new electric buses and upgraded interchanges. On rail, his administration delivered the UK’s first battery-powered trains into passenger service from the new Headbolt Lane station, with further expansions and a new Liverpool Baltic station in the pipeline. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority+2Liverpool City Region Combined Authority+2MerseytravelLiverpool City Region Combined Authority
Rotheram also champions an ambitious clean-energy future for the region, spearheading plans for Mersey Tidal Power to generate long-term, low-carbon electricity and support skilled local jobs. He promotes the city region globally to attract investment and trade, building on Liverpool’s international brand to create new opportunities for residents and businesses. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority+1
Rooted in the values of fairness and aspiration, Steve Rotheram’s mission is simple: to harness devolution so that the Liverpool City Region becomes a place where every community can thrive and every resident has the chance to get on

OIP 1

Tim Flagg

CEO of UKAI

Tim will be speaking at the day conference.

Bio

Tim Flagg

Tim Flagg
As the founder of several AI businesses, Tim campaigns for wider access, earlier education and more training opportunities in AI, to unlock the full economic potential of UK AI businesses. Over his 25 year career, Tim has worked at blue-chip brands such as BBC, NBC-Universal, Hutchison-3G and Zipcar and has advised SMEs on commercial strategy. Tim is passionate about the transformative role of technology to enhance education, particularly in the further-education and apprenticeships sectors. He founded two ed-tech businesses: The Institute of Digital Marketing online (The IDM Online) and the Academy of Digital Business Leaders (The ADBL). More recently, Tim co-founded EntityX, using AI to improve advertising targeting, and Intelliquence, with the aim of widening access to AI. Tim is a non-executive director of Greater Than, a publicly-listed business that uses AI to predict and prevent road collisions and to measure and reduce CO2 usage.

0 Hyndburn Mp Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith MP

Government’s Opportunities Mission Champion

Sarah will be speaking at the day conference.

Bio

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith is the Labour Member of Parliament for Hyndburn and Haslingden, elected in 2024. With a background in law, public service, and community organising, she brings a strong commitment to tackling inequality and unlocking opportunity across the North West.
Appointed as the Government’s Opportunity Mission Champion, Smith plays a leading role in shaping national policy aimed at improving life chances for children and young people. She is a key advocate for early years support, inclusive education, and reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
In Parliament, she serves on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, where she contributes to policy scrutiny on levelling up, regeneration, and local authority reform. Her work focuses on ensuring that growth and investment benefit people and places too often overlooked by Westminster.
A passionate believer in the potential of post-industrial towns, Smith has campaigned for rail and transport upgrades across East Lancashire and the wider North West. She is a strong voice for rebalancing the economy through skills, infrastructure, and better access to services – particularly for families, young people, and those facing disadvantage.
Before entering Parliament, Smith worked in the voluntary and public sectors, bringing experience from grassroots initiatives that inform her practical, people-focused approach to policymaking.

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith is the Labour Member of Parliament for Hyndburn and Haslingden, elected in 2024. With a background in law, public service, and community organising, she brings a strong commitment to tackling inequality and unlocking opportunity across the North West.
Appointed as the Government’s Opportunity Mission Champion, Smith plays a leading role in shaping national policy aimed at improving life chances for children and young people. She is a key advocate for early years support, inclusive education, and reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
In Parliament, she serves on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, where she contributes to policy scrutiny on levelling up, regeneration, and local authority reform. Her work focuses on ensuring that growth and investment benefit people and places too often overlooked by Westminster.
A passionate believer in the potential of post-industrial towns, Smith has campaigned for rail and transport upgrades across East Lancashire and the wider North West. She is a strong voice for rebalancing the economy through skills, infrastructure, and better access to services – particularly for families, young people, and those facing disadvantage.
Before entering Parliament, Smith worked in the voluntary and public sectors, bringing experience from grassroots initiatives that inform her practical, people-focused approach to policymaking.

Portrait 2

Aphra Brandreth MP

MP for Chester South and Eddisbury

Aphra will be a panellist at the day conference.

Bio

Aphra Brandreth

Aphra Brandreth is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Chester South and Eddisbury, elected in 2024. With a background in environmental economics and small business, she brings both professional and practical experience to her work in Parliament.

Before entering politics, Brandreth spent over a decade as an economist at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), advising on rural development and sustainability. She later helped run her family’s veterinary business, giving her a first-hand understanding of the pressures facing small enterprises across the UK.

In Parliament, Brandreth is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and has introduced legislation focused on countryside protections and rural issues. She is also an active member of several cross-party groups, including those focused on women in enterprise, transport safety, and neurodegenerative diseases.

A strong advocate for the rural economy, Brandreth has campaigned for better transport connectivity, digital infrastructure, and enterprise support across Cheshire and the wider North West. She is committed to promoting regional growth that works for both towns and rural communities, and to ensuring that local voices are heard in national decision-making.

Official portrait of Charlotte Nichols MP crop 2

Charlotte Nichols MP

MP for Warrington North

Charlotte will be a panellist at the day conference.

Bio

Charlotte Nichols

Charlotte Nichols is the Labour Member of Parliament for Warrington North, first elected in 2019. With a background in trade unionism, she has built her career on championing workers’ rights and strengthening community representation.

Before her election, Nichols worked as a researcher and organiser for USDAW and the GMB, gaining hands-on experience in industrial relations, workplace protections, and campaigning for fair pay.

In Parliament, Nichols has served as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities and has taken on leadership roles across a wide range of All-Party Parliamentary Groups. She chairs the APPGs on Multiple Sclerosis and on Pubs, and plays an active role in groups focusing on energy, retail, and the future of work.

Nichols is recognised as a committed constituency MP and a strong advocate for equality, social justice, and the industries that underpin Britain’s towns and regions. She continues to play a leading role in shaping Labour’s engagement with both workers and businesses.

Andy Burnham on 13 August 2024 cropped

Rt Hon Andy Burnham

Mayor of Greater Manchester

Andy will be speaking at the dinner.
Image cc: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Bio

Rt Hon Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, leading the region’s strategic approach to transport, housing, net zero, skills, and economic growth. A former Cabinet Minister and MP for Leigh (2001–2017), his national roles included Secretary of State for Health, Culture, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
As Mayor, he chairs the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has been a leading advocate for English devolution, regional investment, and levelling up. Under his leadership, Greater Manchester has introduced ambitious plans for carbon neutrality by 2038 and a fully integrated, publicly controlled transport network.

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Peter Dowd MP

MP for Bootle

Peter will be facilitating a sprint at the day conference.

Bio

Peter Dowd

Peter Dowd is the Labour Member of Parliament for Bootle, first elected in 2015. With a background in social work and local government, he brings decades of public service experience to his role in Westminster.

Prior to entering Parliament, Dowd worked extensively in health and social care and served as Leader of Sefton Council, where he oversaw local regeneration and community development. His career reflects a long-standing commitment to public welfare and regional leadership.

In Parliament, Dowd has served in senior roles on Labour’s Treasury team, including as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He has been a consistent voice for fair economic policy, local investment, and support for public services.

Representing one of Labour’s strongest heartland constituencies, Dowd continues to focus on securing opportunities for his community and ensuring that government policy reflects the needs of working people across Merseyside and beyond.

Official portrait of Patrick Hurley MP crop 2

Patrick Hurley MP

MP for Southport

Patrick will be facilitating a sprint at the day conference.

Bio

Patrick Hurley is the Labour Member of Parliament for Southport, elected in 2024 as the constituency’s first Labour MP. A former Liverpool City councillor for Mossley Hill (2011–2023), he brings long experience of community service and practical problem-solving from the social enterprise and charity sectors. UK ParliamentWikipedia+1Southport Labour

Rooted in Merseyside and originally from Prescot, Hurley’s journey into public life reflects a determination to widen opportunity: after leaving school with few qualifications, he studied later in life with the Open University, worked while completing his degree and a master’s, and went on to champion grassroots initiatives. That perspective shapes his work for Southport – from regeneration and skills to better local services – with a particular focus on reopening Southport Pier and restoring pride in the town centre. The Times

In Parliament, Hurley has prioritised hands-on constituency advocacy and pragmatic reforms that deliver tangible benefits for residents. His early voting record includes support for establishing Great British Energy – a publicly owned energy investment company – as part of a drive for cleaner, cheaper power and local growth. TheyWorkForYou

Hurley has also been an outspoken voice for community safety and social cohesion. Following the 2024 Southport stabbings, he condemned disorder fuelled by online disinformation and pressed for appropriate accountability and support for those affected. He subsequently asked the Attorney General to consider referring the sentence as unduly lenient – underscoring his commitment to justice and to helping the town heal. The TimesWikipedia

Pragmatic, community-minded and unapologetically local, Patrick Hurley’s aim is clear: to use Parliament and devolution to back Southport’s ambition – creating good jobs, stronger neighbourhoods, and better life chances for every resident..

Agenda

Time Session
09:00 – 09:30 Registrations and Breakfast Networking
09:30 – 09:35 Chair’s Welcome
09:35 – 10:00 Opening Keynote & Questions / Fireside Chat
Steve Rotheram
Steve Rotheram is the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, leading on devolved powers covering transport, skills, housing and economic growth.
, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
Fireside with Tim Flagg
Tim Flagg is CEO of UKAI, working with industry and policymakers to accelerate responsible, commercially viable AI adoption across the UK.
, CEO, UKAI
  • Creating Growth in the North West: Highlight the Liverpool City Region’s role in driving national growth and the importance of devolved powers to unlock investment, innovation, and skills.
  • Industrial Strengths and Opportunities: Showcase regional excellence in manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, and digital industries, and how these sectors can be scaled to compete globally.
  • Infrastructure and Connectivity: Outline work undertaken and planned to create better transport links, digital infrastructure, and housing to connect communities and attract inward investment.
  • Collaboration for Growth: Call for stronger partnerships between government, business, academia, and local communities to tackle barriers to growth and deliver sustainable prosperity.
10:00 – 10:05 Keynote Presentation
(Speaker TBC)
10:05 – 10:40 Panel Discussion: Unlocking Growth in the North West
Chair: Tim Flagg
CEO of UKAI; leads cross-sector initiatives on AI productivity, public value and regional growth.

Panellists: Cllr James Hansen
Labour Councillor at Sefton Council. Focus areas include local growth, infrastructure and community services.
, Sefton Council  |  Cllr Laura Robertson (TBC)
Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods & Communities, Liverpool City Council (TBC).
  • Reflections on the Mayor’s keynote: what resonated and what needs further exploration.
  • Opportunities across manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, AI, and digital infrastructure – where the region can lead nationally.
  • Addressing persistent barriers: skills, investment, regulation, and transport connectivity.
  • The role of collaboration between Parliament, local government, and the private sector in delivering sustained regional growth.
10:40 – 11:15 Coffee Break & Exhibition
11:15 – 12:10 Panel Discussion: Driving a Holistic Growth Agenda for the North West
Featuring Aphra Brandreth MP
MP for Chester South and Eddisbury; former special adviser at Defra, with interests in innovation and regional growth.
 |  Cllr Paula Basnett (TBC)
Leader of Wirral Council (TBC). Background in economic development and local growth.
 |  Cllr Judith Derbyshire (TBC)
Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Westmorland and Furness Council (TBC).
 |  NOCN Group (TBC)
NOCN Group is a leading UK awarding and apprenticeship end-point assessment organisation supporting skills, productivity and social mobility.
 |  Matt Warman (TBC)
Former Minister for the UK Government’s AI portfolio; member of the UKAI Advisory Board (TBC).
  • Connecting to afternoon sprint priorities: how the region can translate strategic discussions into delivery across housing, healthcare, skills, and AI.
  • Building Britain’s Future: Infrastructure and Energy – unlocking infrastructure and energy investment while ensuring sustainability and community benefit.
  • Transforming Healthcare and Communities – leveraging health innovation and integrated care models to improve population wellbeing and attract life sciences investment.
  • Building Skills, Building Britain – developing a workforce ready for advanced manufacturing, digital, and green industries.
  • AI and Digital Leadership – positioning the North West as a leader in responsible and commercially viable AI deployment.
  • Defence and Energy – highlighting the region’s critical role in national security, clean energy innovation, and industrial resilience.
12:10 – 12:30 Sprint Workshop Agenda Setting (led by Sprint Sponsors)
An introduction to the four themed working groups. Titles may evolve with participant input and sponsor feedback:
  • Building Britain’s Future: Infrastructure and Energy — facilitated by Charlotte Nichols MP
    Labour MP for Warrington North; facilitating the Infrastructure and Energy sprint as a neutral chair to draw out collaborative solutions.
  • Transforming Healthcare, Transforming Communities — facilitated by Peter Dowd MP
    Labour MP; former Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Focus on public services and community outcomes.
  • Building Skills, Building Britain — facilitated by Patrick Hurley MP (TBC)
    Labour MP for Southport (TBC). Interests include skills, apprenticeships and community-led growth.
  • UKAI: The Role of the AI Sector in the North West — facilitated by Matt Warman
    Former AI Minister; UKAI Advisory Board. Facilitating discussion on responsible AI adoption to boost productivity.
12:30 – 13:15 Working Lunch
13:15 – 15:15 ‘Sprint’ Working Groups
15:15 – 15:30 Coffee Break & Exhibition
15:30 – 16:00 Presentations from ‘Sprint’ Working Groups
(Led by Sprint Sponsors, including the NOCN Group – sharing transformation and change management insights)
16:00 – 16:10 Afternoon Keynote
Sarah Smith MP
The Government’s Opportunity Mission Champion, focusing on regional growth, innovation and inclusion.
  • Reflections on the presentations.
  • The Government’s perspective on regional growth and levelling up.
  • Opportunities to align North West priorities with national missions on housing, health, skills, AI, defence, and clean energy.
  • Call to action for cross-sector collaboration to turn ambition into delivery.
16:10 – 16:25 Next Steps
(Curia Advisory Board)
16:25 – 16:40 Closing Keynote
Bill Esterson MP
Labour MP for Sefton Central; Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee.
  • Reflections on the day’s discussions and sprint workshop outcomes.
  • The North West’s central role in the UK’s energy transition and industrial strategy.
  • Ensuring growth strategies deliver both economic competitiveness and Net Zero commitments.
  • A forward look: how Parliament, industry, and local leadership can continue to work together to drive long-term regional prosperity.
16:40 – 17:30 Networking Reception
18:00 – Late Dinner with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Rt Hon Andy Burnham
Rt Hon Andy Burnham is the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a former Cabinet Minister, including Secretary of State for Health.

(Tickets must be booked separately)

Sponsors

Media Partners

PUK 2
CUK

Organisers

CGP
NOCN GROUP Logo 600x600 1
Heathrow Airport Logo.wine
TimeDurationMain HallBreak Out Area
9.15am45 MinutesRegistration and welcome refreshments in exhibition area
10am15 MinutesWelcome Introduction
10.15am15 MinutesKeynote: Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
10.30am15 MinutesFireside: In conversation with Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and Lara Lewington, former presenter BBC Click
10.45am45 MinutesPanel: Fireside Analysis with business, local and regional government, followed by Q&A
11.30am30 MinutesRefreshments in exhibition area
12.00pm10 MinutesKeynote: Headline sponsor presentation
12.10pm30 MinutesPanel: Delivering Equitable Economic Growth Across the South East with business, local and regional government, followed by Q&A
12.50pm10 MinutesSprint Session Briefing
1pm1 HourLunch
2pm2 Hours with short breakSessions include:
– Housing, Infrastructure, Transport – “Get Britain Building”
– The Growing Role of the Defence Industry in the South East – “Keeping Britain Safe”
– Education and Skills – “The Emerging EdTech Cluster”
– Growing the role of AI in the South East
4pm45 MinutesSprint presentations – groups report back
4.45pm15 MinutesLearnings, reporting back, thanks and close
5pm1 HourReception and networking

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