Agent Marketing | Good Growth Summit

08:45 – Arrivals, registrations and networking (45 mins)

09:15 – Guests to take seats

09:30 – Welcome and housekeeping (5 mins)
Paul Corcoran, CEO – Agent

09:35 – Welcome (5 mins)
Emma Degg, CEO – NWBLT

09:40 – Join the conversation on the vocL app (5 mins)
Juergen Maier, Founder – vocL and Chair of Great British Energy

09:45 – Keynote (15 mins)
Ian Smyth, CEO & Ben Grunfeld, Chief Business Officer – SMS

10:00 – Panel One: Power to Our People (50 mins)

Topic: Skills, talent, diversity and opportunity

Facilitator:
Paul Corcoran

Panellists:

Tom Stannard, CEO – Manchester City Council

Sarah Cox, Director – CGI

Catherine Millan, CEO – Be What You See

Lauren Rosegreen, National President – JCI International UK

Teza Simukulwa, Programme Manager – Agent Academy

Faye Skelton, Head of Policy – Make UK

Discussion:
In an increasingly fractured world, how can leaders continue to invest in the workforce of tomorrow? What does ongoing investment and leadership look like in equity and diversity to ensure we have the talent to drive good growth? What can leaders do to ensure their workforce, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexuality, continue to feel protected, welcomed and respected in the workplace?

10:50 – Keynote (20 mins)
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director – Manchester Airport Group

11:10 – Coffee Break (20 mins)

11:30 – Fireside Chat (20 mins)

In conversation with Ciara Keeling, CEO – Bruntwood SciTech

Questions from Paul Corcoran

11:50 – Lightning Talks Part 1 (30 mins)

Focus: Place

Questions facilitated by Emma Degg

Speakers:

Mark Hughes, CEO – The Growth Company

Tom Morrison, MP – Cheadle

Discussion:
Exploring what good growth means in place. Investing in places means investing in people and businesses, driving opportunities and encouraging long-term economic prosperity. How can local government best partner with private sector organisations to achieve this?

12:20 – Lunch (60 mins)

13:20 – Lightning Talks Part 2 (30 mins)

Focus: Planet

Questions facilitated by Juergen Maier

Speakers:

Elizabeth Conboy, Executive Director – Renewable UK

James Byrne, Partner – Sustainable Ventures

Discussion:
Exploring what good growth means from a green technology and renewable perspective. How can long-term thinking, innovation, investment and opportunity help position UK PLC as a world-class leader in the green economy?

13:50 – Panel Two: Places That Matter (50 mins)

Topic: Investing in infrastructure, housing and communities

Facilitator:
Emily Mathew, Head of Stakeholder Engagement – NWBLT

Panellists:

Helen Boyle, Growth Director – Ardent

Charlotte Norman, CEO – MSV Housing

Dale Hoyland, Retrofit Lead – Oxfordshire County Council

Tom Woolley, Smart Product & Strategy Director – Metis

Andrew Gall, Head of Savings, Consumer & Insight – Building Societies Association

Shanta Coles, Associate Director - Knowledge Exchange & Business Engagement - University of Salford

Discussion:
Exploring how partners work together across organisations, specialities and sectors to support and sustain communities. What does effective collaboration look like in practice, and how can greater impact be achieved through sustainable, purpose-led partnerships?

14:40 – Coffee Break (20 mins)

15:00 – Panel Three: Why Going Green is Key to Good Growth (45 mins)

Topic: Investing in clean growth and communicating its benefits

Facilitator:
Juergen Maier

Panellists:

Mark Hurley, Executive Managing Director – Energy, Planning, Environment & Sustainability, WSP

Amer Gaffer, Hydrogen Director – Manchester Metropolitan University

Matt Browell-Hook, Energy Transition & Projects Director – Spirit Energy

Jane Gaston, CEO – Net Zero NW

Michelle Lewis, Communications Director – EET

Marko Grizeji, GB&I Lead Engineer – Siemens Energy

Discussion:
Exploring why the green economy provides an attractive vehicle for good growth. Discussion around the jobs, investment and climate benefits available through net zero ambitions. How can leaders better engage, educate and inspire communities and the future workforce? How can they ensure the net zero agenda isn't weaponised to slow or derail progress?

15:45 – Why Good Growth Matters to UK PLC (15 mins)

Lucy Powell MP in conversation with Juergen Maier

16:00 – Closing remarks and drinks reception

18:00 – Event closes

Good Growth Summit '26