Centre for the New Midlands (CNM) is to host its inaugural ‘Connections for Prosperity’ conference to discuss the role infrastructure has in solving the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s people, economy, and environment.
From 5th to 6th July, at Warwick Conferences, University of Warwick, Coventry, ‘Connections for Prosperity’ will bring together key public and private sector stakeholders from across the West Midlands to debate how transport, energy, water, digital, social infrastructure, and housing can each play a crucial role in the continued growth of the region.
Amid a packed schedule of panel discussions and workshops at the conference, Andy Street CBE, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, will be among the esteemed speakers assessing current how Government policy and investment in the design and delivery of strategic infrastructure can stimulate economic, social, and ecological regeneration.
Chris Smith, Founder and Managing Director at Centre for the New Midlands, added: “This event presents a unique opportunity for the region’s decision-makers to really evaluate how we can best utilise our local infrastructure to drive tangible, sustainable change.
“Despite efforts to “level up” areas of the country having been impeded by the pandemic in recent years – regional businesses, people, and communities can still make a difference. The key is understanding that we each share equal responsibility for bringing about transformation.
“Since the creation of the CNM, we have recognised a genuine appetite within the region for pushing the political agenda when it comes to improving the communities in which we operate, and through our first ‘Connections for Prosperity’ conference we are creating a space where people can come to debate, shape and create a ‘better’ region for all.”
Professor Denise Bower OBE Group External Engagement Director for Mott MacDonald, the event’s headline sponsor, will also be in attendance to provide valuable insight into local, national, and global infrastructure. Whilst the Birmingham offices of international infrastructure consulting firm, AECOM, have pledged to fund a scholarship to enable six students from the region to attend for free.
During the event, activities will be held to raise much-needed funds for CNM’s charity partner, Acorns Childrens’ Hospice.
Tickets to the event are available for purchase from https://www.connectionsforprosperity.co.uk/, and start from just £200 (+VAT). Early bird ticket prices end on 31st May!
As the only independent, non-partisan think tank for the region, CNM has a mission to generate new research and ideas to help shape a ‘better’ region for people to live, study, invest, work and play in.
The organisation has four core areas of focus, ‘Housing and Communities’, Digital environment’, ‘Infrastructure’, and ‘Globalising the West Midlands’, and places an emphasis on improving the social fabric of the region and not just the economic performance of the Midlands.
