Growing Together Alliance Drinks Reception
Business South will be hosting a drinks reception on behalf of the Growing Together Alliance during the Conservative Party Annual Conference in Birmingham.
Join us for an evening of conversation and connections with business and political leaders from across the Growing Together Alliance network.
The reception will provide an opportunity to meet representatives from regions across the country, exchange ideas and discuss how greater collaboration can support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The Growing Together Alliance brings together seven leading employer groups: Advanced Oxford, BusinessLDN, Business South, Business West, Cambridge Ahead, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and the North West Business Leadership Team.
Together, the Alliance works to strengthen cooperation between regions and support good growth across the country.
Places are limited. To apply for a ticket, please contact natalie@businesssouth.org
Event Speakers
Henri Murison
During his five years since his first appointment he has established the Northern Powerhouse Partnership as the business led organisation which convenes the North together.
From making the case for significant investment in key transport priorities and further devolution deals for the North, to challenging for a better deal for the most disadvantaged from the education system, his team are focused on how government, business and partners can drive the North’s ambitions.
Before joining the Partnership, he worked in senior research and policy roles in policing and financial services, and as a former senior local government figure in Newcastle upon Tyne remains a commentator on the political as well as economic rationale for Levelling Up and wider regional policy in the UK.
Dame Caroline Dinenage
Born in Portsmouth, Caroline spent her younger years growing up in South Hampshire. She attended Wykeham House School in Fareham, Oaklands RC Comprehensive in Waterlooville and Swansea University where she achieved a Politics and English degree. At just 19 years old Caroline established a successful manufacturing company, which she ran for over 20 years. Her expertise in and passion for small and medium-sized business would eventually earn her the accolade of Small Business Ambassador for the South, along with a seat on the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Select Committee.
Caroline’s political career started in 1998, when she became the youngest ever member to serve on the City of Winchester district council. From there she went on to stand as the Conservative candidate for Portsmouth South in 2005, before securing a seat in May 2010 as Member of Parliament for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, with a majority of 14,413 which increased to 17,098 and 17,211 in 2015 and 2017 General Elections. Caroline increased her majority again in the 2019 General Election to 23,278. At the 2024 General Election Caroline was returned with a majority of 6,054. Having already held various ministerial positions since 2016, Caroline most recently served as Minister of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport up until September 2021. Now a backbencher, Caroline is focusing her time on representing her constituents.
Event Partners
