15 July 2008

The Liverpool Summit 2008
Learn. Engage. Create & Transform the Future

Over 750 business leaders from across the country have already signed up to the region’s most sought after Business Summit to hear from seven of the world’s most prominent leadership and business strategists, including former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and organised by Benchmark for Business, The Liverpool Summit is the primary business event of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture programme, attracting a number of influential speakers - Kofi Annan, Clayton Christensen, Will Hutton, Terry Leahy, Renée Mauborgne, Chris Patten and Michael Porter.

The event is also supported by the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), the Financial Times, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool 08.

Taking place on 1st and 2nd October, the Summit promises to be an unrivalled executive learning opportunity, with an agenda that will transform the way business leaders think, promoting bold management practice.

A high quality Summit Expo will also include exhibitors from across the region relevant to the wider business community. Situated on the stunning River Mersey Waterfront, the imaginative ACC Liverpool will play host to the event.  Here business leaders can engage with leading minds, whose ideas and vision have already changed the global business environment.

Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Enterprise and Skills, NWDA said:

“The NWDA is pleased to be involved with an event as high profile and influential as this – it is a real opportunity for business leaders from across the country to access unrivalled advice, directly from industry’s most articulate professionals.

“Improving business performance throughout the region is one of the key drivers of economic growth and therefore a key priority for the NWDA’s activity. We are proud that England’s Northwest is one of only three English regions to contribute positively to the UK balance of trade, with a high number of leaders that continue to develop their skills and improve their management practices.” 

Professor Michael Brown, Vice Chancellor, Liverpool John Moores University said:

“The Liverpool Summit is going to set an extremely high standard for business leadership events in the future. By bringing together so many international speakers in one programme the delegates will have the opportunity to hear from some of the brightest and most imaginative strategic thinkers in the business world today and LJMU is delighted to be the educational partner for the event.”

Tricia Pepper, the Financial Times said:

"The FT is proud to be the official media sponsor of the Benchmark for Business Liverpool Summit 2008. The calibre of this year's speakers and the management issues they will address are a perfect fit for the FT and its readership."

Cllr Warren Bradley, Leader Liverpool City Council, said:

”We are very pleased to be able to stage an event in Liverpool which brings together so many prominent and inspirational people at a time when the city is undergoing an economic resurgence.”

Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive at NWBLT said:

"The North West Business Leadership Team is delighted that The Liverpool Summit is bringing together such an array of key partners and inspirational speakers for what promises to be an exceptional event for Liverpool and the North West. We look forward to hearing each of these outstanding speakers at a critically important time for the business world."
 
For further information go to www.theliverpoolsummit.com or call 01224 636200 or email team@theliverpoolsummit.com

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Notes to editors:

Summit Agenda

DAY ONE
Wednesday 1st October 2008

09.30  Session 1: A Leadership Roundtable Forum facilitated by Will Hutton featuring a panel of international corporate leaders
10.45   Refreshments
11.15  Session 2: Michael Porter Strategies for Profit Maximisation
12.35   Lunch
13.50  Session 3: Michael Porter The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in a Competitive Strategy
15.15   Refreshments
15.45   Session 4: Chris Patten The Way the World Works
17.10   Day One Summit Close and Drinks Reception

DAY TWO
Thursday 2nd October 2008

09.15   Session 5: Clayton Christensen Principles of Disruptive Innovation
10.30  Refreshments
11.00   Session 6: Clayton Christensen The Innovator’s Solution
12.00   Session 7: Terry Leahy Leadership in Changing Markets
12.45   Lunch
14.00   Session 8: Renee Mauborgne Blue Ocean Strategy
15.15   Refreshments
15.45   Session 9: Kofi Annan (by satellite link) Transforming an Uncertain World
16.45   Summit Close and Drinks Reception

For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life