From Powers to Places: In conversation with Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East and Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire.

From Powers to Places explores how strong mayoral leadership, empowered by devolution, can turn strategic ambition into development that is felt in real communities. This session brings together Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, and Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, to discuss how mayors use their powers, funding tools and convening authority to unlock growth and accelerate delivery on the ground.

The conversation will examine how devolved decision making helps de risk investment, create clearer pathways for development, and give investors the confidence that places have both the vision and the capability to deliver. With two regions at pivotal moments in their economic transformation, the mayors will share practical, place based examples of how they are unblocking sites, shaping markets and driving outcomes that matter to communities and investors alike.

As the UK enters a national moment for devolution expansion, this session will highlight the strength and maturity of the Mayoral Authority model. It aims to equip investors with insight ahead of meetings and demonstrate how empowered local leadership is driving long term, sustainable growth across the country.