Where? Pontefract Racecourse
When? 9 July 2025
Book your delegate ticket here
Celebrating West Yorkshire businesses and bringing our business community together, this event will be an opportunity to share best practice as well as to discuss the opportunities and challenges companies and entrepreneurs face in the region.
Organised by the team behind ‘We Are Wakefield’, the Conference will give business leaders from all five boroughs the chance to discuss issues affecting all businesses including how to attract more companies and skill sets to West Yorkshire, how to create a sustainable future for your business, developing leadership skills and creating business growth.
Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your knowledge and make valuable connections with like-minded individuals. We can’t wait to see you there!
We are excited to announce our speaker line up:
Host – Christa Ackroyd – Journalist & TV Presenter
Opening Address – Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson CBE
Headline Speaker – Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, Ski Jumper & TV Personality
Speaker – Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO The Piece Hall
Speaker – James Pomeroy, Global Economist HSBC
Speaker – Alexandra Thornton, Head of Consultancy The Human Alchemist
It’s an exhibitor sell out! We’re excited to announce that all exhibition stands are now taken by organisations from across the West Yorkshire Region.
Delegate Tickets include:
- Networking breakfast
- Access into all sessions featuring a mix of speakers and discussion panels
- Networking lunch
- Delegate goody bag
- Conference programme
- Access to delegate attendee list
- Free parking
Registration / Breakfast begins 8.30am, Conference starts at 9.30am.
Full event schedule:
8.30am
Registration opens
Networking breakfast
9.15am
Everyone starts taking seats
9.30am
Welcome to the West Yorkshire Conference
Host Christa Ackroyd gives a run down of the day
9.40am
Welcome Address from the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson CBE
10.00am
Panel: We are West Yorkshire – attracting business and skills into the region
Followed by Q&A
10.40am
Speaker: Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, The Piece Hall, Halifax
11.00am
COMFORT BREAK
11.20am
Panel: Creating a sustainable future for your business
Followed by Q&A
12.00pm
Speaker: James Pomeroy, Global Economist, HSBC
12.30pm
Panel: Planning for Business Growth
Followed by Q&A
1.00pm
LUNCH & Netwoking
1.40pm
Keynote Speaker: Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards
2.20pm
Panel: Developing Leadership Skills
Followed by Q&A
3.00pm
Speaker: Alexandra Thornton, The Human Alchemy
3.20pm
Closing & Thanks
3.30pm
Networking and departures
4.30pm
Ends
www.westyorkshireconferenceorg.uk