Reimagining
The Midlands

The 4th annual Midlands Economic Summit took place on Monday 15 June 2026 at The Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham. Here is a look back at the speakers, programme and sponsors that made the day.

Who joined us in 2026

Ninder Johal DL

Ninder Johal DL

Chair, Midlands Economic Summit

Lord Harrington of Watford

Make UK

Juergen Maier

Chair, GB Energy

Dr Naysha Ramjohn

Keynote Speaker

Carmen Watson

Carmen Watson

Keynote Speaker

Veejay Patel

Keynote Speaker

Mayor Claire Ward

Mayor Claire Ward

Mayor of the East Midlands

Mayor Richard Parker

Mayor Richard Parker

Mayor of the West Midlands

How the day ran

08:30

Arrival & Refreshments

Registration opens. Networking from the moment you arrive.

09:25

Welcome from the Chair

Ninder Johal, Chair of the Midlands Economic Summit.

Keynote: Economic Global Context

CBI.

Keynote: Lord Harrington of Watford

Make UK.

10:00

Panel: Engineering the Future

Keynote: Juergen Maier

Chair of GB Energy.

10:45

Coffee Break

11:15

Panel: Infrastructure Pulse

Keynote: Dr Naysha Ramjohn

Panel: Human Elements

12:40

Lunch

Networking lunch.

13:40

Keynote: Carmen Watson

Keynote: Veejay Patel

Fireside Chat with the Mayors

Claire Ward & Richard Parker.

Panel: Generation Midlands

Young people question the Mayors.

14:35

Coffee Break

15:05

Panel: AI, Automation & the Reinvention of Business

15:45

Plenary Session

Event Close

The organisations that backed 2026

The Summit returns on 14 June 2027

Register your interest for the 5th annual Midlands Economic Summit and be first to hear as the 2027 speakers and programme are confirmed.

Register Interest