Leaders from business, government, education, public services and community organisations will come together later this month for a landmark conference marking the launch of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.
Taking place on Friday 26 June at Bruntwood SciTech, Alderley Park, the event will bring together delegates from across the region and beyond to explore how devolution can unlock growth, investment and opportunity for Cheshire and Warrington.
Hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin, the conference will provide an opportunity to hear from national, regional and local leaders, showcase the region’s strengths, and help shape the priorities of the new Combined Authority ahead of mayoral elections in 2027.
Event Agenda and Running order
09:00 | Registration & Networking
09:40 – 10:15 | Conference Opening – The Hive (Auditorium), The Apiary
Speakers:
- Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair, Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority
- Louise Minchin (Host)
- Katie Day, Interim CEO, Transport for the North
- Dr Hannah White OBE, CEO, Institute for Government
10:15 – 10:55 | Panel discussion: Our Growth Mission – Starting from strength – The Hive (Auditorium), The Apiary
Speakers:
- Nick Walkley, Interim CEO, CWCA
- Prof Juergen Maier, Industrialist, Chair of Great British Energy, Co-founder of vocL and former Chief Executive of Siemens UK
- Ruth Herbert, Chief Business Development Officer, Essar Energy Transition
- Loren Jones, Senior Vice President, Amentum
11:00 – 11:20 | In conversation with Minister for Investment – The Hive (Auditorium), The Apiary
Speakers:
- Louise Minchin
- Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment
- Nick Walkley, Interim CEO, CWCA
11:35 – 12:20 | Thematic Breakout Sessions
Rural Futures – Willow, Mereside
- Cllr Michael Gorman, CWCA Board and Deputy Leader Cheshire East Council (Chair)
- Anette McDonald, Director of Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships, Tatton Estates
- John Hesselwood, Deputy Chief Executive, Cheshire Community Action
- Marcus Clinton, Principal, Reaseheath College & University Centre Reaseheath
Placemaking & Infrastructure – Second Floor Suite, Mereside
- Nick Walkley, Interim CEO, CWCA (Chair)
- Cllr Hans Mundry, CWCA Board and Leader of Warrington Borough Council
- Lawrence Wilson, Interim Director of Transport, CWCA
- Anne Marie Purcell, Purcell Advisory, former TfGM Chief Transformation Officer – Franchising Lead
- Stephen Kinsella, Barratt Redrow Group Major Projects Director, MADE Partnership
- Steve Coffey, Group Chief Executive, Torus
Innovation & Growth – Ground Floor Suite (Mereside)
- Cllr Flaherty, CWCA Board and Deputy Leader of Warrington Borough Council (Chair)
- Rachel O’Donnell, Chair of the Northern Nuclear Alliance
- Tuneer Ghosh, Executive Vice President, Sai Life Sciences
- Alex Cousins, Alex Cousins Consulting
- Nicola Heron, Chief Strategy Officer, Medicines Discovery Catapult
Healthy economy, healthy future – What role will the health economy play in the Cheshire and Warrington mission? – The Hive, The Apiary
- Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of CWCA and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council (Chair)
- Ian Moston, Chief Executive Officer, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Leighton Hospital
- Steve Purdham, Westfield Health and Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board
- Steve Adams, Commercial Programme Manager of Innovation and Industry Partnerships, Health Innovation North West Coast
- Dave Thompson, Warrington Disability Partnership
Opportunity & Inclusion – Comb, The Apiary
- Cllr Karen Shore, CWCA Board and Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council (Chair)
- Dave McNicholl, Chief Executive, Warrington Youth Zone
- Helen Nellist, Deputy Principal, Cheshire College South and West
- Prof Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside & All Together Fairer
12:20 – 13:05 | Lunch & Networking
13:05 – 13:55 | Cheshire & Warrington Stepping onto the North West Stage
Speakers:
- Huw Merriman, Chair of Liverpool–Manchester Railway Board
- Rhys Whalley, Corporate Affairs Director, Manchester Airport Group
- Sally Hepton, Director of Government Relations and Sustainable Luxury, Bentley Motors
14:00 – 14:30 | Cheshire and Warrington’s role in UK PLC and the global economy
Speakers:
- Nick Walkley, Interim CEO, CWCA
- Jessica Bowles, Strategic Partnerships and Impact Director, Bruntwood SciTech & Heseltine Institute
- Sarah Dayre, SVP, Sweden & EMEA Supply, AstraZeneca
14:30 | The Final Word – Over to You
15:00 | Close
The Launch Conference is now at full capacity. However, you can join our waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space becomes available.