Annual Conference 2012 – Programme
North East Economic Forum Annual Conference
Thursday 1st March 2012 Newcastle/Gateshead Hilton
8.45 : Registration and Coffee
9.00 : Welcome – Adam Boulton, Political Editor, Sky News and conference Chair
9.05 : Opening address – Paul Callaghan, Chair, ONE North East and Chairman, Leighton Associates
9.15 : The North East 2050 – Paul Ringham, BT Vice President, Local and Devolved Government
9.35 : Keynote address – Fiona Hyslop MSP, External Affairs Minister, Scottish Government
10.00 : Video message from the Prime Minister
Keynote address
Developing a global presence
H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming – UK Chinese Ambassador
Vote of thanks
Prof Graham Henderson CBE
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Teesside University
10.35: Coffee Break
10.50: Keynote address
Rachel Reeves MP
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Invited)
Vote of thanks
Councillor Paul Watson, Chair, Association of North East Councils
11.15 : Panel Discussion – How can we restructure the North East economy to succeed?
Stephen Taylor, Managing Director, Alix Partners
Sandy Anderson, Chair, Tees Valley LEP
Paul Woolston, Chair, North Eastern LEP
Sarah Green, North East Regional Director, CBI
11.45 : Keynote address – Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister of State, Communities and Local Government (invited)
Vote of thanks
Guy Opperman MP (invited)
12.30 : Lunch Chaired by Sir Ian Wrigglesworth
Keynote address
Rt Hon Lord Heseltine, Chairman, Regional Growth Fund
Vote of thanks
Mayor Linda Arkley
