Firms set to gather for second annual Doncaster Business Conference

High profile panellists appearing alongside Mr Miliband include Phil Bramley, editor-in-chief of South Yorkshire Newspapers, Dame Rosie Winterton MP, and representatives of key agencies including the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, HS2 Ltd., Centre for Cities, UKTI and Thinking Place.

The Doncaster Business Conference is sponsored by local firms Unipart Rail, Taylor Bracewell and Rejus Ltd, and takes place at The Legacy Centre in Doncaster between 8am and 1pm.

There will be three themes for the Doncaster Chamber-hosted event, which will be facilitated by Dr Adam Marshall, executive director of policy and external affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce.

The first panel debate will be around the Northern Powerhouse and devolution, what that looks like for significant towns like Doncaster and the added value that it can offer to the region.

The second panel discussion will focus on place marketing; how Doncaster is represented regionally, nationally and internationally and how this impacts international trade and export, inward investment and tourism.

The third theme to be discussed will look into skills and aspirations, how to inspire and link young people to the work and study opportunities in Doncaster.

A key note speech will also be delivered by a senior representative of the Digital Garage from Google on reaching new customers online.

Gori Yahaya, head of training and development for the Digital Garage, will explain the cornerstones of digital marketing, and how to use online marketing tools to be more visible to prospective customers.

Other speakers include John Evans, chief executive of the National College for High Speed, Simon Carr, managing director of Henry Boot Construction, Ben Harrison, of Centre for Cities, Steve Gill, managing director of Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport, and Mark Robson, UKTI’s regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Dan Fell, chief executive officer of Doncaster Chamber, urged as many businesses as possible to attend.

He said: “The conference is quickly establishing itself as a flagship event on Doncaster’s business calendar. It will help give the chamber and other local businesses a mandate for the work that we are doing to help grow Doncaster’s economy. It will present the opportunity to debate with local decision makers the real issues that are dominating the business landscape and that are pertinent to the local economy, growth and aspirations, as we try to grow and create jobs.”

Tickets are priced at £25 + VAT for Doncaster Chamber members and £35 +VAT for non-members. Visit http://www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk/business-conference.asp