Regional Development Conference 2026

Why attend?

The New Statesman’s annual Regional Development Conference is a day of fascinating insights and discussions centred around the most pressing questions for the future of regional development and local growth and prosperity.

Join us on Thursday 26^th November 2026 in Birmingham to hear from experts, policymakers and industry leaders on what's next for regional development, from the role of regional leaders in driving growth to how infrastructure, investment and skills can deliver effective change and prosperity for people across the country.

2025 Key topics

➤ Reality cheque: What does the 2025 Autumn budget mean for regional development?

➤ Driving regional innovation: Collaborative pathways for economic growth

➤ How can we transform our skills system to meet the needs of local communities and deliver economic growth?

➤ Fuel of the Future: How can energy innovation and regional development work hand-in-hand?

➤ A devolution revolution: How can devolved powers unlock investment and job creation in our regions?

➤ Permissions, Planning and Pro-growth packages: What's next for UK housebuilding?

➤ Connecting our communities: How can we develop a transport strategy that delivers for passengers?

Some of our 2025 speakers

Richard Parker

Mayor of the West Midlands

Claire Ward

Mayor of the East Midlands

Tom Gordon MP

Member, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Peter Swallow MP

Member, Education Select Committee

Laurence Turner MP

Member, Transport Select Committee

Andy MacNae MP

Chair of the APPG for Transport Safety

2025 Agenda

26 Nov 2026

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2025 Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

Plan Your Visit

Venue

The Studio

7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP

How to get to the venue

Arrive by train

There are three railway stations within walking distance of thestudio: Birmingham New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street. New Street Station is just two minutes walk from thestudio.

Car

The venue does not have any onsite parking. We would recommend Birmingham Snow Hill Station Car Park, postcode B3 2BJ and Birmingham New Street Station Car Park, postcode B2 4ND. Both car parks are around a 5 minute walk from thestudio.

Parking

Birmingham Snow Hill Station Car Park, postcode B3 2BJ and Birmingham New Street Station Car Park, postcode B2 4ND. Both car parks are around a 5 minute walk from thestudio. There is no onsite parking.

2025 Partners

Select a sponsor to learn more

Strategic Partner

Sponsors

Company Information

From cleaning-up the country’s highest nuclear risks and hazards to safeguarding nuclear fuel, materials and waste, Sellafield Ltd’s work is nationally important. We do this work on behalf of our owner, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

In delivering our work, including emptying our highest hazard buildings, waste management and keeping special nuclear material safe, we are building on an epic scale at Sellafield.

We are currently investing in one of the largest portfolios of complex major projects in the country, creating the facilities we need for the next stage of our purpose.
Together, we’re at the forefront of engineering, innovation, project management and leading-edge support functions.
We’re building £8 billion of new waste management facilities and manufacturing tens of thousands of waste containers, while also reducing our carbon footprint.
We’re inventing the robots and technology that we need to clean up Sellafield. Robots and technology that can be exported to the growing global decommissioning market.
In everything we do, we’re ensuring the public funding we’re entrusted with has economic and social impact in our communities.
We’re creating a clean and safe environment for future generations.

Company Website

To learn more , please visit our website - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/sellafield-ltd