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 26th 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
