Policy intelligence
Clear business and policy insight grounded in global best practice.
Invitation only · Wednesday 16 September 2026
A once-in-a-generation opportunity for regional growth
Competing to Win
Leadership and Change for a Future Economy
Bringing together leaders from business, academia, government and industry to shape Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s future growth strategy.
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The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland subregion has the opportunity to become an economic powerhouse.
With devolution unlocking new powers and funding in several parts of the country, the subregion has the chance to put in place the resources and policies needed to deliver transformative economic and social change — but only where public, private and third-sector leaders move with ambition and unity.
This agenda-setting event will bring together local authorities, universities, businesses, investors and communities to identify actionable pathways for accelerating growth, strengthening place competitiveness and driving innovation.
The official event flyer is retained here to maintain continuity with invitations and event communications.
Future-focused thinking
Perspectives on economic transformation and regional competitiveness.
Senior connections
High-value networking with decision-makers and influencers.
Shared action
Collaborative opportunities to advance regional growth priorities.
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Featured speakers
Regional ambition and national perspective
Three of the summit’s headline contributors will bring perspectives from place leadership, economic transformation and innovation-led growth.
Welcome and introduction
Andy Reed OBE
Owner of Saje Impact and Director and Founder of The Sports Think Tank.
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Transformation in the West
Professor Harris Beider
Founder and CEO of The Forward Institute.
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Policy roundtables
Four themes shaping the summit
Roundtables held in the lead-up to the event will develop new solutions and policy recommendations for the summit’s four thematic areas.
Innovation, Technology and Productivity
Investment, Assets and Wealth Building
People and Society
Labour market, skills, wealth and diversity.
Sustainable Growth
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Programme
Wednesday 16 September 2026
A day of keynote perspectives, panel discussion, policy roundtable feedback and senior-level networking.
Welcome and introduction
Andy Reed OBE
Transformation in the West
Professor Harris Beider, The Forward Institute
The Movement in the North
Tom Wolfenden and Charlotte Thompson, Sheffield Spine
Panel 1: Mobilising Place Leadership
Chair: Kevin Allen Khimani, CEO, Voluntary Action Leicester
- Zafar Saleem, Assistant Chief Executive, Leicestershire County Council
- Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor, De Montfort University
- Paul Angrave, Director of Public Affairs, University of Leicester
- Sue Tilley, Chair, Leicester Business Voice
Lunch and networking
Feedback from policy roundtables
Reports from the summit’s four thematic areas.
Panel 2: Competing to Win — The next steps
Chair: Richard Blackmore, Director of Policy and Insight, East Midlands Chamber
- Trace Voss, Voluntary Action Leicester
- Peter Chandler, Director of Tourism, Culture and Economy, Leicester City Council
- Sir Nishan Canagarajah, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester
- Professor Emily Keightley, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Loughborough
- Tom Newman-Taylor, East Midlands Freeport
Event information
Novotel Leicester
Wednesday 16 September 2026
08:30–17:00
This is an invitation-only summit. Joining instructions will be shared directly with confirmed attendees.
Event enquiries
For questions about the event, please reply to the email invitation you received.