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.
Donna Jones
Donna Jones was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 6 May 2021, achieving 312,993 of the votes cast across the two counties. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is one of the largest police force areas in the country. In 2024, Donna was re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner with a 70,000 majority.
Donna was the youngest member of the judiciary in England and Wales when she was appointed to the South East Hampshire (Magistrates) Bench in October 2005. She served as a bench chair for 16 years until she was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner. This has helped her develop a strong background in criminal justice.
From 2014-2018 Donna was the first woman to be elected the Leader of Portsmouth City Council in Hampshire, presiding over a £780million budget. During this time she received national recognition for the commercial approach she brought to the running of the city council, generating millions of pounds of income each year. She has a thorough understanding of managing public sector finances; of generating new income and removing wastage from outdated contracts ensuring your taxes are spent wisely.
As well as being the PCC for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna previously led on the national Victims and Serious Organised Crime portfolios for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, before taking up the role of the Chair in July 2023 until July 2024. Until recently, Donna was also joint lead for the national Criminal Justice agenda.
Event Partners
