Confirmed Speakers and Panellists 2024
Delivering the Future City 2023 set a first for professional business events in City Hall, Sunderland: to showcase the regeneration journey in a series of new and vibrant panel sessions, led by industry, stakeholder and government voices: to discuss Sunderland’s incredible re-invention story, in and amongst heightened levels of staging and conference hospitality.
On 15-16 October 2024, a gear-change in the enhanced programme demonstrated the progress made and focussed on the key challenges that have arisen, set in the context of a new Government policy landscape, devolution and social and economic circumstances. Themes included how to bring more life to the city centre, accelerate housing delivery, build new cohesive communities, advance technological innovation, further address climate change and develop new skills.
A series of keynote sessions, guided city tours, round table discussions and delegate networking activities across 2 days, combined to address the main obstacles and possible solutions to accelerate collaboration and align with national priorities.
Outline Agenda 2024
Tuesday 15 October
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Arrival & RefreshmentsChamber, City Hall30 mins
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Chamber, City Hall20 minsWelcome from Cllr Michael Mordey and Mark Easton to set the scene for the days proceedings
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15 mins
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15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall25 mins
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Coffee BreakChamber, City Hall30 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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20 mins
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Chamber, City Hall10 mins
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Walking Tours & Networking Lunch (2 groups)Chamber, City Hall75 minsGuests will be taken in two groups to walk the Riverside during lunchtime (weather permitting)
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Chamber, City Hall5 mins
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Chamber, City Hall10 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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15 mins
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15 mins
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Coffee Break15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall10 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Networking Reception (Drinks & Food)Stables @ Sheepfolds180 mins
Minibus shuttles (outbound only) will be provided for those that don't wish to walk across St. Mary's Bridge (approx 10 minute walk)
Pick up from Plater Way entrance to City Hall
Wednesday 16 October
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Arrival & RefreshmentsChamber, City Hall30 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 minsOvercoming the City's Challenges to Create Opportunity and Growth
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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15 mins
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15 mins
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15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Upper Floor (TBC)90 mins
Split into following breakout sessions:
Level 3:
City Centre (Activation)
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by:
Tania Love RIBA FRSA FIPM,
Associate Partner, FaulknerBrowns
Community Building
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Neil Murphy, Director, Town.
Housing Delivery
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Danielle Gillespie, Director of Regeneration, Partnerships & Major Projects, Homes England
Infrastructure & Planning
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Harvey Emms, Senior Director, Head of Newcastle Office, Lichfields
Level 4:
Climate Change
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: John Nordon, Creative Director, igloo Regeneration
Growth & Enterprise
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Natasha McDonough, CEO of MMC Research Agency & Vice President of NECC
Skills & Training
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Ellen Thinnesen OBE, Chief Executive, Education Partnership North East (EPNE)
Smart City
Sponsored by:
Session Chaired by: Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities & Enabling Services, Sunderland City Council
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Lunch & Networking45 mins
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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Chamber, City Hall30 mins
Outcomes from the following round table discussions
Activation, Community Building, Housing Delivery, Infrastructure & Planning
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Chamber, City Hall30 mins
Outcomes from the following round table discussions
Environment & Climate Change, Growth & Enterprise, Skills & Training, Smart City
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Chamber, City Hall15 mins
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135 mins
LIMITED PLACES
After Delivering the Future City closes at 3pm, and in proud association with TOWN., Sunderland City Council cordially invites you to come along to get an insight into the 10-year regeneration programme for this new neighbourhood which is at the core of urban Sunderland, with light refreshments and networking.
Wider Programme
With support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Expo Sunderland is dedicated to helping local businesses, which is one of the fund's main goals.
In partnership with Innovation SuperNetwork, the Expo Sunderland Challenge launch took place on 11 September at City Hall to help advance the growth of start-ups and scale-ups in Wearside.
Sunderland businesses from the Innovation Challenge will have a unique chance to learn about the city's key priorities and collaborate with important stakeholders to develop solutions at this event.
Find out more hereSince 2021, Sunderland Business Festival has been celebrating the dynamic businesses based in the city. In 2024, they will build the programme to further inspire enterprises from across the region, with a host of engaging speeches and sessions from high profile business leaders as part of the week’s event schedule.
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Breakout sessions
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