Speakers

The people
who speak

2025 speakers shown below. The 2026 line-up will be announced shortly.

2026 Speakers Announced

First speakers confirmed for 15 June 2026

We are delighted to confirm that the West Midlands Mayor and East Midlands Mayor will both be speaking at the Midlands Economic Summit 2026. Further speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Richard Parker
2026 Confirmed

Richard Parker

Mayor of the West Midlands

Claire Ward
2026 Confirmed

Claire Ward

Mayor of the East Midlands

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Paul Faulkner
2026 Confirmed

Paul Faulkner

Co-founder

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Maria Machancoses
2026 Confirmed

Maria Machancoses

Chief Executive

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More speakers coming soon

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2025 Summit Speakers

Ninder Johal DL

Ninder Johal DL

Chair

Midlands Economic Summit

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Robert Franks

Robert Franks

Managing Director

WM5G

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Prof. Nigel Driffield

Prof. Nigel Driffield

Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor

University of Warwick

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Paul Faulkner

Paul Faulkner

Co-founder

Element45

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Maria Machancoses

Maria Machancoses

Chief Executive

Midlands Connect

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Charlotte Keenan

Charlotte Keenan

Head of Corporate Engagement

Goldman Sachs

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Carmen Watson

Carmen Watson

Chair

Pertemps Network Group

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Simon Marks

Simon Marks

City Executive — Midlands

Arcadis

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Mitchell Barnes

Mitchell Barnes

CEO

RYSE 3D

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Fabrizio Cazzoli

Fabrizio Cazzoli

Managing Director, Northern Europe

Ducati

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Sir Michael Fallon

Sir Michael Fallon

Former Secretary of State for Defence

HM Government

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Mo Jamei

Mo Jamei

Director of Economic Policy

CBI

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Zeeshan Pervez

Zeeshan Pervez

Director, Cyber Resilience & AI Research Centre

University of Wolverhampton

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Ed Cox

Ed Cox

Executive Director, Strategy, Economy & Net Zero

West Midlands Combined Authority

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Prof. Jun Du

Prof. Jun Du

Professor of Economics

Aston Business School

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Dr Graham Hoare

Dr Graham Hoare

CEO

Manufacturing Technology Centre

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Bethan Bannister

Bethan Bannister

Investment Manager

British Business Bank

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Charlie Courtney

Charlie Courtney

Economic Policy Manager

CBI

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Stephanie Melodia

Stephanie Melodia

Founder & Host

Strategy & Tragedy

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Ayhan Waheed

Ayhan Waheed

Retention Manager

Scholars School System

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Jon McLoone

Jon McLoone

Director of Technical Services

Wolfram Research Europe

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Jason Shepherd

Jason Shepherd

Distinguished Engineer

Fujitsu

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Marie Wigmore

Marie Wigmore

Senior Consultant

Ortecha

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More speakers announced soon

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Speak at the Summit

Interested in speaking at the 2026 Summit?

We are currently curating the 2026 programme. If you have something worthwhile to say to 500 of the Midlands’ most influential people, we would like to hear from you.

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