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Description

What does the next chapter of growth look like for businesses across the East Midlands?

The East Midlands is at a pivotal moment - with a changing economy, major investment opportunities, technological advances, new powers through devolution and an increasingly important role for the region in the UK’s growth story, the decisions being made today will shape our economic future for years to come.

The State of the Economy Conference brings together business leaders, policymakers, economists and key voices from across the East Midlands for the big conversation about growth.

Building on the East Midlands Chamber’s Framework for Growth, the conference will explore what businesses need to thrive, where the biggest opportunities lie, and how we can work together to create a stronger, more productive and more prosperous regional economy.

Overview

Through keynote presentations and panel discussion the Conference will cover:

-The UK’s economic outlook and the Bank of England’s monetary policy response – Paul Mount, Agent East Midlands Agency, Bank of England

-Overview of current UK and global economic landscape and financing for growth - Senior Economist, Barclays Bank

- How strategic government investment can catalyse business growth, regional employment, and supply chain stimulation: The challenge for the East Midlands - Andrew Pritchard - Director of Policy & Infrastructure, East Midlands Councils

- Role of academia in supporting innovation, productivity gains and skills development, includes AI impact on economy - Jill Cowley, Pro-Vice Chancellor Extended Education and Director of De Montfort University London

-One economy. Two devolution stories. One question: how does the East Midlands grow? Panel:

* Andy Reed OBE – Owner, Saje Impact Ltd and Business Board Chair, Leicester & Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership

* Ioan Reed-Aspley - Head of Corporate Affairs, East Midlands Airport

* Kevin Harris, Kevin Harris Consulting Limited

* Eileen Perry MBE DL – Managing Director, ER Recruitment

-The Big Skills for Growth Panel - Chaired by Gareth Thomas, Founding Director, Pro Excellence Partnership. Panellists:

*Jill Cowley, Pro-Vice Chancellor Extended Education and Director of De Montfort University London

*Carol Dixon - Director of Employer Partnerships, Derby College

*James Ferraby - Co-Founder & Director, Digital Planning

*Ana Sofia Oliveira Machado – De Montfort University Student

Additional Information

There are sponsorship opportunities still available for this Conference, for more detail, please contact policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

This event is available for: Anybody

18th November 2026

9:00am - 1:00pm

In-Person

Hugh Aston Building De Montfort University, Leicester, LE2 7BY

FREE

Members must Sign in / Register to purchase member only tickets

In stock

*All our business prices are excluding VAT at 20%.

For further information on this event, please contact The Policy Team on 0333 320 0333 or email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

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State of the Economy Conference: The Big Growth Conversation

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