The Chamberlain News

Conference unlocks appearance by Street and public sector prepares to adapt

Fresh from stepping down from his day job at John Lewis, Andy Street has been added to the line up of speakers at the Downtown in Business Birmingham ‘Keys to the Engine’ conference.

Mr Street is the Conservative candidate for the new role of Mayor for the West Midlands. He will line up against Siôn Simon MEP (Lab), Beverley Nielsen (Lib Dem) and Cllr James Burn (Green) on 4th May 2017.

. Popular in business circles, Mr Street will be aware that the election will be won and lost in places miles away, literally and metaphorically, from Colmore Row.

Property entrepreneur Tom Bloxham will be the keynote speaker at the Keys to the Engine conference.

Recognised as one of the most innovative leaders in the regeneration field, the Urban Splash boss has a portfolio including the Rotunda and Fort Dunlop sites in Birmingham.

Mr Bloxham will share his thoughts on regional identity, no doubt reflecting on perennial debate between the West Midlands and Greater Birmingham brands.

The November 24 event, to take place at studiovenues on Cannon Street in Birmingham city centre, will also feature Mark Rogers, chief executive of Birmingham City Council; Birmingham Airport boss and recently installed President of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Paul Kehoe and Laura Shoaf, managing director of Transport for West Midlands.

Organisers will say the half day conference will focus on the opportunities and challenges that devolution and a regional mayor will bring with senior decision makers and business leaders.

. Chamberlain News visitors are entitled to Downtown in Business Birmingham members rates for the event, a saving worth £20. Just quote ‘Chamberlain News.’

The creation of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the arrival of a new mayor are among a series of major developments in the public sector.

Trowers & Hamlins and Ernst & Young are staging a special panel session ‘Adapting to change: the next chapter for the public sector‘ to consider how the sector will respond to the changes ahead, including an examination of the challenges, opportunities and ability to innovate.

Adapting to Change takes place 9.00 – 11.00am, including a light breakfast, on Tuesday 15th November at Ernst & Young, 1 Colmore Circus in Birmingham city centre.

The two professional services firms say that their clients highlight concerns about the number of changes that the public sector faces, whilst also dealing with the ongoing pressure on public spending as well as wider economic challenges.

The expert panel at the event features Martin Reeves, chief executive at WMCA as well as Coventry city council; Sir Merrick Cockell, former chair of the Local Government Association and now chair of the Crossrail 2 Growth Commission, Kevin Rodgers from WM Housing Group, Catherine Staite of the Institute of Local Government and Karl Tupling of the Homes and Communities Agency.