Following the success of the The Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards, we are proud to launch our first Business Leadership Summit which brought together Yorkshire's impressive business leaders for a spirited debate on the key topics which businesses face.

Chaired by our Business Editor, Mark Casci, the virtual event includes a dynamic programme of keynote speakers who discuss key issues such as sustainability, hybrid working and how best to lead a business in a post pandemic landscape.

Our sessions, sponsors and speakers are:

THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YORKSHIRE supported by LNER
A home for innovation and leadership; the future of the city centre following the pandemic
Topics for discussion:
Economic recovery of Yorkshire
The future of business travel
Developing a sustainable tourism strategy
Speakers
David Horne MD at LNER
James Mason, CE, Welcome to Yorkshire
Mark Lynam, Corporate Director, Wakefield Council
Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council

GREEN RECOVERY sponsored by FirstBus
How local leaders play their part in a sustainable future
Topics for discussion:
The role that leaders/businesses must adopt
Monitoring and reducing GHG
Business partnerships - FirstBus
The impact of hybrid working
Developing business systems to reduce environmental impacts
Speakers
Paul Matthews, First Bus Managing Director
Stephanie Burras CBE, Chief Executive AheadPartnership
Emma Godivala – Founding Director of York Gin Company
Johnathan Webb - IPPR


SKILLS
Developing a skilled workforce for the future
Topics for discussion:
The future workforce and skill shortages
Education & Apprenticeships
Staff Training & Development
Gender equality across staff development
Speakers:
Susan Hinchcliffe - Councillor for West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Mike Wicks, Relationship Manager, Unity Trust Bank
Natalie Doherty, Director of Quality, Curriculum and Innovation


The online summit was first broadcast live on multiple social media and web sites on Friday, September 24, 2021.