This year’s Convention of the North, set to be held in West Yorkshire, Leeds, for the first time

17 January 2024

This year’s Convention of the North, set to be held in West Yorkshire for the first time, will be held across two days on 29 February and 1 March and hosted by BBC newsreader Clive Myrie.

Bolton-born Myrie has worked as a journalist for 36 years, working across the BBC in various roles, currently as a chief correspondent and reporter.

Taking place at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, the two-day national conference will bring together over 800 business, community, academic and political leaders for energetic, action-focused discussions exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the North – including transport, Net Zero, trade and investment and people and place. The West Yorkshire edition is led by Co-chairs Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire and Clare Hayward, Chair of NP11.

Through these key discussions, leaders from across the business, community and education sectors can ensure that the Convention is a ‘powerful, unifying voice of the North’, emphasising shared responsibilities, purpose and commitment to creating sustainable and inclusive growth for the North. In what is a pivotal election year, it is vital the North sets out a clear, coordinated, cross-party offer and ask of the Government.

Established in 2018, the Convention has previously been held in Newcastle, Rotherham, Liverpool and Manchester. On the eve of the 2019 General Election, the Prime Minister led the keynote address at the Rotherham edition of the Convention.

The West Yorkshire edition of the Convention will be held on Thursday 29th February and Friday 1st March 2024. Keynote speakers and the full programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“It’s an honour to host Convention of The North in West Yorkshire during a pivotal election year. This is a fantastic and timely opportunity to bring together our leaders from across the North as one unified voice to speak truth to power and deliver on our ambitious plans for our regions.

“We are stronger together than the sum of our parts, and it is more important than ever that we speak clearly with one voice on shared challenges and priorities.”

Clare Hayward MBE, Chair of NP11, said: 

“Convention of the North is a great opportunity to come together to raise the profile of the North at an international level. I’m passionate that this is a unique moment to collaborate to build a thriving and well-connected Northern powerhouse that will unlock the region’s full potential for sustainable, healthy and inclusive growth.”

Clive Myrie, BBC Chief Correspondent, and host of Convention of the North 2024, said: 

“What a wonderful opportunity to bring together so many stakeholders to discuss the best way forward for this vibrant part of our Isles. As a Northern lad myself, I’m proud to be taking part.”