On Thursday 12th June, we hosted our inaugural Good Growth Summit at the impressive 1830 Station, an industrial-style event space at The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.

It was from this location, in 1830, that the world’s first inter-city trains chugged away from the world’s first industrial city that was borne from the industrial revolution. Back in those days, almost 200 years ago, business was not necessarily ‘good’ - and there are some ways in which it hasn’t particularly changed.

And this is what we wanted to show; that there is a way of growing businesses without losing sight of humanity. Instead, there is the opportunity for good, responsible, sustainable and equitable growth, as was amply demonstrated by the cross section of business leaders, politicians and education professionals who joined us for our Good Growth Summit.

A packed agenda began with an introduction of heartfelt thanks from our founder and CEO, Paul Corcoran. This was followed by a passionate welcome address from co-host Juergen Maier, the founder of vocL and Chair of Great British Energy, who spoke of his drive to do, and the importance of doing, business responsibly.

The energy transition in focus

Our first guest was Neil McCulloch, the CEO of Spirit Energy who outlined the transition to net zero as the economic opportunity of the 21^st century and the North West’s unique capability to make this happen, as we stand on the threshold of the next Industrial Revolution. Far from taking the NIMBY route, he urged attendees to throw their support behind the transition and make it happen in their backyards. We all wanted to be MIHIMBYs after Neil’s keynote.

The theme of the energy transition continued with Liz Conboy, the Executive Director of RenewableUK, chairing the interesting panel ‘Powering Our Futures’. Contributions came thick and fast from CEO of Electricity North West Ian Smyth, CEO of Net Zero North West Jane Gaston, Strategy Director of Essar Energy Transition Ruth Herbert, CEO of Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear Monica Mwanje and Paul Buxton, the CGI’s Vice President, Utilities.

Ian described the energy transition as having to work for everyone regardless of class or social status, echoing Ruth’s sentiment about the importance of regional collaboration, while Liz outlined the members of RenewableUK being at its forefront.

Bill Esterson MP, the Chair of Energy Security and Net Zero, was next at the lectern for his rousing speech. He spoke about the UK’s status as the country for investment, before taking a leaf from Barack Obama and saying that as far as the transition goes, “Yes we can!”

People and places

After a short coffee break, Juergen Maier hosted a fireside chat with Tom Stannard, the CEO of Manchester City Council.

Tom admitted that there was still an enormous amount to do in Manchester, but that he and council leader Bev Craig see the next decade as the most pivotal as they seek to alleviate poverty and the impact it has on communities in Manchester. He also described the qualities of a good leader being an unwavering narrative of optimism, potential and capacity.

Ten-minute lightning talks about place bookended our midday break. Before eating, CEO of the North West Business Leadership Team Emma Degg and Cal Roscow, Executive Director of Best for Britain, spoke, with Emma describing the need for mutual respect and optimism being a moral duty. After a delicious lunch, we welcomed Henri Murison of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Cllr Tom Ross, leader of Trafford Council.

Henri extolled the virtues of Atom Valley ahead of other, global locations and the region’s being the sole area of the country to counterweight the investment received by London and the South East. Cllr Ross explained how good growth is not siloed but is instead interconnected as different areas feed off each other.

Empowerment as the key to good growth

Next came our second panel, with this discussion dedicated to ‘Empowering our people’. Ben Osu, the Head of Equity and Inclusion at Everton FC, urged attendees to lead with courage and leave their echo chambers, as he shared his visions of football clubs as beacons within their communities.

Similarly, Sharon Amesu outlined how gaps in representation in law in her generation and, 20 years on, in her daughter’s, influence her organisation She Leads for Legacy and its position as a bold, visionary, solutions-focused movement.

Learning new skills at whatever age, whether as an apprentice who has just left school or someone upskilling to learn a new career in their middle-age, are vital to personal empowerment. The deputy CEO of Skills England, Gemma Marsh, the Principal of The City of Liverpool College, Elaine Bowker, the MD of Hi-Impact and the Brilliant festival, Kylie Reid, and the Leader of Bury Council and the GMCA portfolio holder for Technical Education & Skills, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien all offered their opinions on the fundamentals of skills.

Elaine described her educational institute as a talent organisation for business, given that the economy needs tech skills and the college provides them, and that when it comes to research and development, universities may well fulfil the research remit, but it’s colleges who make the development aspect work.

Kylie Reid addressed geographical inequalities in opportunities around the country for teachers, while Cllr O’Brien was decisive in his viewpoint that the economy can be strengthened with good growth, as it makes the most of everyone’s talents.

Concluding the day

Our last session was a Question Time-style session with queries from the floor, hosted by Juergen Maier. Jennifer Nadel, the CEO of Compassion in Politics, Richard Walker OBE, the Executive Chairman of Iceland, Olcay Yilmaz of Siemens, Genta Haxhija, the Social Value Lead at Morgan Sindall and our very own Zoe Wallace, Partnerships Director of our sister, not-for-profit enterprise, the Agent Academy, where all panellists agreed that being unified on a clear commitment to good, sustainable and equitable business is the only way to keep driving change and fairer workplaces for all.  

Bringing the curtain down on the truly inspiring day, Paul Corcoran invited attendees to the bar for a post-event drink, after what everyone agreed was a pacey and uplifting day.

At our event, we’ve shown what is possible - a very committed shared direction of travel shown by some of the region and nation’s key leaders.  We’re already looking forward to next year’s Good Growth Summit!