Midlands Connect launch webinar series to help shape the future of transport in the region

Midlands Connect will launch a series of webinars starting next week to focus on some of the biggest issues facing the region as we recover from the pandemic.

The regional transport body has brought together some of the biggest thinkers in relevant fields alongside politicians to debate key topics, in order to inform a refreshed strategy that will be submitted to the Government.

The webinars will cover the following topics and will be free to view on the Midlands Connect website:

• 4th Feb – Building Back Better:
  Chaired by East Midlands CBI Director Richard Blackmore with panellists Clare James, CEO of East Midlands Airport, Sarah Phillips of EY and Alistair Baldwin from the Institute for Government. To register please click here.
• 11th Feb – Levelling Up:
  Chaired by Sunday Times Deputy Political Editor Caroline Wheeler with panellists Jane Stevenson MP, Lord John Mann, Lord Ravensdale (co-chair of the Midlands Engine All-Party Parliamentary Group) and Chris Hobson of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.
  To register please click here.
• 18th Feb – Decarbonisation:
  Chaired by New Statesmen columnist Jonn Elledge with panellists Claire Haigh from Greener Transport Solutions and Graeme Cooper of National Grid.
  To register please click here.

Commenting on the launch of the webinar series, Midlands Connect Director Maria Machancoses said:

The world is a very different place now than it was four years ago when we created our last strategy. To reflect the huge changes we have experienced, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and a heightening climate crisis, we are in the process of refreshing our strategy to ensure we identify the short and long-term investment priorities than can help the region overcome these unprecedented challenges. These webinars will be a key part and my message to the region is log on, join in and help make a difference to the future of transport in the Midlands.

The updated Midlands Connect strategy will be published in late 2021.

If you are interested in contributing to the strategy refresh please visit the Midlands Connect website.

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