Convening, Influencing, Doing
Showcase and Legacy
It is an opportunity for the host city and region to showcase innovation and to present directly to politicians and those that influence them imagine new ways of driving change for the better.
The Festival seeks to leave a legacy wherever it goes. Whether it is investment in local businesses by our own angel investors, establishing dialogue between entrepreneurs and local policymakers, constructive discussion across political divides, announcements of new funds from government ministers and more.
Themes From York 2023
Meet some of our previous participants
George Freeman MP
Minister for Science and Technology
Baroness Warsi
Member of the House of Lords
Greg Dyke
Chair, York Central Strategic Board
Sarah Owen MP
Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Faith and Communities
Sir Tim Smit
Founder, The Eden Project
Rachael Maskell MP
MP for York Central
Stephen Kinnock MP
Shadow Immigration Minister
Rachel Sylvester
Times Columnist
Lord Andrew Lansley
Former Secretary of State for Health
Claire Ainsley
Director of the Progressive Policy Institute, former Policy Director to Keir Starmer
Sir Vince Cable
Former Secretary of State for Business
Dr Hannah Barham-Brown
Trainee GP, former Deputy Leader of the Women’s Equality Party
Julian Sturdy MP
MP for York Outer
Cllr Claire Douglas
Leader, City of York Council
Zack Polanski
Deputy Leader, Green Party
Baroness Judith Blake
Shadow Spokesperson Business, Trade, Energy and Net Zero
Jonathan Cowap
Formerly BBC Radio York
Fiona Laird
Director & Founder of National Youth Arts Trust
Simon Biltcliffe
Leader, Yorkshire Party
Melissa Benn
Journalist & Campaigner
Partners
