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Conference Series: Urban Revival

Urban Revival is the CBI’s first conference of 2021 and will focus on how the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have touched all parts of society including our towns and cities.

The way we live, work, travel and socialise has been transformed overnight with potentially long-lasting impacts on society and the economy. We will be joined by expert speakers from business and civil society to examine the changing nature of property, the future of transport, the role of technology on the high street and consider how UK towns and cities can rise to the challenge of tackling net-zero and competing globally.

Why Attend

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    Learn how towns and cities can thrive post-pandemic

  • Conference Icon 77 X 78 01 (1)

    Gain insight from expert speakers in business and civil society

  • People Icon 77 X 78 01 (1)

    Discover how your business can contribute to the revival of urban life

Our Speakers

Confirmed speakers include:


Conference Programme

  • 09:45
    Tony Danker
    Tony Danker

    CBI Director-General's keynote address

    Live session

    Speakers
    • Tony Danker
      Tony Danker Director-General, CBI ​
  • 10:00
    Robert Evans
    Robert Evans

    Panel discussion: The changing nature of towns and cities​

    Live session

    The assumptions about why and how we use high streets, offices, retail and recreational premises have been turned on their heads by COVID-19. What, then, does this mean for towns and cities? Has the pandemic accelerated changes that were always coming? And are we ready to adapt?

    Speakers
    • Robert Evans
      Robert Evans Joint Managing Partner, Argent LLP
    • Melanie Leech CBE
      Melanie Leech CBE Chief Executive, British Property Federation​
    • Richard Morris
      Richard Morris CEO, IWG UK
    • Saker Nusseibeh CBE
      Saker Nusseibeh CBE CEO, International, Federated Hermes
    • Joanna Rowelle
      Joanna Rowelle Director, Arup
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 11:00
    Ryan Anderson
    Ryan Anderson

    Panel discussion: The evolution of work

    On-demand content

    The nature of work has shifted dramatically for many people and sectors, potentially changing the shape of our towns and cities. Hear from business leaders considering the short and long-term impacts, including how they are adapting to more flexible and hybrid forms of working.

    Speakers
    • Ryan Anderson
      Ryan Anderson Vice President, Global Research and Insights, Herman Miller
    • Lizi Hills
      Lizi Hills Commercial Finance Director, Burger King UK
    • Yvonne Sonsino
      Yvonne Sonsino Global Co-Leader of Next Stage, Mercer
    • Jonathon Stubbs
      Jonathon Stubbs Managing Director, Global Senior Director of HR – Head of International HR and Global HR Advisers; Chair of PRISM, BNY Mellon
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 14:00
    Sophie Birshan
    Sophie Birshan

    Panel discussion: Technologically advanced high streets​

    Live session

    High streets have always evolved and in recent decades have faced challenges such as out-of-town retail parks, the rise of online shopping and business rates. As the UK builds back better, there is a clear opportunity to restore high streets into the locus of retail, leisure and commercial activity. Technology and data will play a crucial role in this evolution.

    Speakers
    • Sophie Birshan
      Sophie Birshan Head of Industry, Retail, Google
    • Felicity Burch
      Felicity Burch Director of Innovation, CBI
    • Jace Tyrrell
      Jace Tyrrell Chief Executive, New West End Company
    • Chris Ward
      Chris Ward Retail Director, Wilko Retail Ltd
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 15:00
    James Graham OBE
    James Graham OBE

    Interview: Cultural and hospitality reset

    On-demand content

    The cultural and hospitality sectors have been seriously hit from the pandemic, and are now beginning to reopen but how might they be different moving forward? This session explores how experiences and attractions like theatres, pubs and restaurants are adapting to respond to consumer behaviour and how that might impact towns and cities in the future.  

    Speakers
    • James Graham OBE
      James Graham OBE Playwright and Screenwriter
    • Nisha Katona MBE
      Nisha Katona MBE Founder and CEO, Mowgli Street Food
    • Dayalan Nayager
      Dayalan Nayager Managing Director, Diageo GB
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 15:30
    Chris Gourlay
    Chris Gourlay

    Interview: Collaborative regeneration​

    On-demand content

    The skills, funding and expertise required to regenerate communities across the country cannot come from either the public or private sectors alone. To be successful, it must be a partnership, with citizens closely involved too. This session will explore why collaborative regeneration needs to be flexible and transparent.  

    Speakers
    • Chris Gourlay
      Chris Gourlay Founder and CEO, Spacehive
    • Chris Smith
      Chris Smith Executive Director of Business Growth, Thirteen
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 17:00
    Mark Callender
    Mark Callender

    Panel discussion: Maximising levelling up opportunities

    Live session

    Persistent inequalities exist across the UK which in some cases may be perpetuated by the impacts of the pandemic. The government has set out a priority to level up the country and there is also a role for business working alongside local leaders to ensure opportunities exist across all communities.

    Speakers
    • Mark Callender
      Mark Callender Head of Real Estate Research, Schroders
    • Andrew Carter
      Andrew Carter Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
    • Professor Simon Collinson
      Professor Simon Collinson Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (DPVC), University of Birmingham
    • Julia Goldsworthy
      Julia Goldsworthy Director of Strategy, West Midlands Combined Authority
    • Catherine Lewis La Torre
      Catherine Lewis La Torre CEO, British Business Bank
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 09:30
    Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL
    Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL

    CBI President's keynote address

    Live session

    Speakers
    • Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL
      Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL President, CBI
  • 09:45
    Jonathan Woetzel
    Jonathan Woetzel

    Keynote address on a just and inclusive transition to net-zero

    Live session

    Speakers
    • Jonathan Woetzel
      Jonathan Woetzel MGI Director and Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
  • 10:00
    Andy Bagnall
    Andy Bagnall

    Panel discussion: Future transport patterns​

    Live session

    The pandemic has driven unprecedented changes to transport, and raised serious questions about future patterns of demand. This session explores how transport networks and international travel will need to evolve over the coming years, and how businesses can play their role in building more efficient and lower emission transport.

    Speakers
    • Andy Bagnall
      Andy Bagnall Director General, Rail Delivery Group (RDG)
    • Vernon Everitt
      Vernon Everitt Managing Director, Customers, Communication and Technology, Transport for London
    • Jamie Heywood
      Jamie Heywood Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, Uber
    • Maria Machancoses
      Maria Machancoses CEO, Midlands Connect
    • Karen Smart
      Karen Smart Managing Director, Manchester Airport
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 11:00
    Michael R. Bloomberg
    Michael R. Bloomberg

    In Discussion with Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP & Bloomberg Philanthropies; 108th Mayor of New York City

    On-demand content

    As an experienced businessperson, three-time New York City Mayor, philanthropist and presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg brings a unique set of experiences to consider the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing towns and cities.

    Speakers
    • Michael R. Bloomberg
      Michael R. Bloomberg Founder, Bloomberg LP & Bloomberg Philanthropies; 108th Mayor of New York City
  • 14:00
    Tracy Black
    Tracy Black

    Panel discussion: Winning the race to net-zero

    Live session

    The UK’s 65 largest towns and cities account for around 50% of UK emissions. Decarbonising the urban environment is a major priority on our journey to net-zero emissions. Some of the toughest net-zero challenges, including decarbonising buildings, will make a major impact as we decarbonise our urban environments.

    Speakers
    • Tracy Black
      Tracy Black Scotland Director, CBI
    • Dawn Coward
      Dawn Coward Architectural Director, Ryder Architecture
    • Karime Hassan
      Karime Hassan Chief Executive & Growth Director, Exeter City Council
    • Clare Wildfire
      Clare Wildfire Global Practice Lead - Cities, Mott MacDonald
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 15:00
    Katherine Bennett CBE
    Katherine Bennett CBE

    Interview: What enables clusters like Silicon Valley to thrive?

    On-demand content

    The levelling up agenda aims to bring prosperity and opportunity to all corners of the UK. This session explores the role of regional clusters, which were a critical part of the original and subsequent industrial revolutions, including whether they are still relevant post-pandemic and what mix of ingredients is needed for UK clusters to thrive.

    Speakers
    • Katherine Bennett CBE
      Katherine Bennett CBE Senior Vice President, Airbus
    • Professor Greg Clark CBE
      Professor Greg Clark CBE Chair of Connected Places Catapult, Global Head of Future Cities and New Industries, HSBC Group
    • Professor Sir Peter Gregson
      Professor Sir Peter Gregson CEO & Vice-Chancellor, Cranfield University
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 15:40
    Nadim Ahmad
    Nadim Ahmad

    Interview: Global reach of UK towns and cities

    On-demand content

    In an increasingly globalised world, local areas with the right assets and leadership in place can excel on a global scale, promoting business investment and talent. This session explores how UK towns and cities compare to world-leading places when it comes to making the most of opportunities, such as harnessing innovation as we enter a post-pandemic era.

    Speakers
    • Nadim Ahmad
      Nadim Ahmad Deputy Director of CFE, OECD
    • Bruce Katz
      Bruce Katz Co-Founder, New Localism Advisors
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host
  • 17:00
    Kostas Bakoyannis
    Kostas Bakoyannis

    Panel discussion: Lessons from around the world

    Live session

    The role of an elected mayor is still new to parts of the UK. Though here and around the world they have been a critical component of developing regional recoveries, now they are faced with both common and unique challenges. This session will explore how they have sought to work collaboratively alongside business and others.

    Speakers
    • Kostas Bakoyannis
      Kostas Bakoyannis Mayor of Athens
    • Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL
      Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL President, CBI
    • Hazel Chu
      Hazel Chu Lord Mayor of Dublin
    • Chris Hearld
      Chris Hearld Head of Regions, KPMG
    • Lizzy Burden
      Lizzy Burden Host

Tickets

  • CBI AFFILIATE
    MEMBER

    Access to full programme 

    (except virtual networking and exhibition rooms).

    FREE

    BOOK NOW
  • NON-MEMBER (FULL)

    Access to

    full programme.

    £350

    + VAT

    BOOK NOW
  • NON-MEMBER (PARTIAL)

    Access to selected 

    sessions.

    FREE

    BOOK NOW

Member ticket prices


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WHAT'S INCLUDEDCBI MemberCBI Affiliate MemberNon-Member (Full Access)Non-Member (Partial Access)
Access to full programme
Access to policy reports and survey results
Exclusive access to CBI, speaker and partner insight, intelligence, and thought leadership
Entry to all virtual networking and exhibition rooms
Access to selected sessions across 2 days (daily at 10:00, 14:00, 17:00)

Join us online

This is an online event.

Live and pre-recorded sessions will become available at the times specified in the programme. You will receive joining instructions the week prior to the event.

Need support with My CBI login or registration? Find the FAQs here.

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