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Driving Local and Regional Economic Growth in Warrington The Institute of Economic Development (iED) is proud to present the iED Regional Economic Growth Workshop Warrington, taking place at its national headquarters at The Base on Dallam Lane. As the UK's leading professional body for economic development practitioners, the iED hosts this dedicated full-day workshop to address critical challenges and opportunities facing local economies across the North West region. Taking place on 28th September 2026, this event convenes public sector leaders, private developers, urban planners, and policy experts to evaluate best practices in place-based growth, employment creation, and sustainable infrastructure investment. Attendees will gain actionable insights into navigating changing macroeconomic conditions, leveraging central government funding, and creating resilient communities. Expert Analysis and Strategic Economic Frameworks Throughout this comprehensive session, expert speakers and veteran policy advisers will break down essential frameworks for developing effective local growth strategies. Key presentations will focus on practical application of the Treasury’s Green Book guidance, evaluating business cases, and measuring long-term social value. Participants will explore real-world case studies detailing successful town center regeneration projects, industrial decarbonization pathways, and regional skills initiatives. The sessions are structured to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) value for attendees, equipping professionals with technical knowledge to design, appraise, and monitor high-impact economic projects within their respective local authorities or organizations. Collaborative Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange In addition to keynotes, the afternoon agenda offers immersive breakout sessions and interactive roundtable conversations. These smaller discussion groups encourage open dialogue regarding regional economic barriers, such as skills shortages, transport connectivity, commercial real estate demand, and business support programs. Participants will collaborate directly with peers from local councils, combined authorities, and enterprise partnerships, facilitating cross-sector knowledge exchange and practical problem-solving. This interactive format enables attendees to compare strategies, share lessons learned from local interventions, and develop joint approaches toward sustainable economic transformation across the North West.

The NSAC Ecosystem Working Group (EWG) Meeting is one of the North Sea Advisory Council's regular stakeholder meetings dedicated to advancing an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management in the North Sea. The meeting brings together experts from across Europe to discuss marine environmental issues, fisheries sustainability, biodiversity conservation, climate impacts, and policy developments relevant to the North Sea ecosystem. The Ecosystem Working Group plays an important role within NSAC by preparing stakeholder advice and recommendations that are later considered by the Executive Committee before being submitted to the European Commission and Member States. Objectives Review current environmental issues affecting North Sea fisheries. Develop ecosystem-based fisheries management recommendations. Discuss marine biodiversity conservation. Examine climate change impacts on fisheries. Review ongoing European marine policy developments. Support sustainable fisheries through stakeholder collaboration. Prepare advice for the NSAC Executive Committee. Expected Discussion Topics Although the detailed agenda for the September 2026 meeting has not yet been published, previous Ecosystem Working Group meetings have covered topics such as: Ecosystem-based fisheries management Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Marine biodiversity protection Climate change adaptation Habitat restoration Fisheries and offshore renewable energy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Scientific ecosystem assessments Fisheries-environment interactions Stakeholder policy recommendations These topics are consistent with the Working Group's role and previous meeting agendas. Who Should Attend The meeting is intended for stakeholders involved in North Sea fisheries and marine environmental management, including: Fisheries organizations Seafood industry representatives Marine scientists Environmental NGOs Government agencies European Commission representatives Academic researchers Marine policy experts Fisheries consultants Coastal management professionals Non-members may also attend as observers, subject to NSAC arrangements. Benefits of Attending Participants can expect to: Learn about current ecosystem challenges affecting the North Sea. Engage directly with European fisheries stakeholders. Contribute to stakeholder-led policy discussions. Gain updates on marine environmental initiatives. Network with fisheries and conservation experts. Understand future regulatory developments. Participate in collaborative advice development. North Sea Advisory Council The North Sea Advisory Council is one of the European Union's Advisory Councils established under the Common Fisheries Policy. Its mission is to provide stakeholder-led advice on the sustainable management of North Sea fisheries by bringing together representatives from the fishing industry, environmental organizations, scientists, and public authorities. The council promotes ecosystem-based fisheries management and contributes recommendations to the European Commission and Member States.

The Systems Complexity Symposium in York represents a pivotal gathering for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners dedicated to the advancement of systems thinking and transdisciplinary inquiry. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected 2026 global landscape, the necessity for robust systems-based methodologies to address "wicked problems"—from urban sustainability to digital infrastructure—has never been more urgent. This symposium provides a unique collaborative environment where delegates from diverse fields converge to explore the intersection of cybernetics, complexity science, and real-world application. Attendees will engage in deep-dive sessions focusing on how systemic innovation can be applied within local government, business ecosystems, and community development. By fostering an atmosphere of "theorizing in action," the event aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, scalable implementation. The program is structured to include keynote presentations from leading global systems theorists, interactive workshops on systems modeling, and dedicated roundtable discussions regarding the future of social-ecological systems. Whether you are a seasoned academic, a digital strategy expert, or a civic leader, this event offers the tools and networks necessary to influence complex decision-making processes effectively. Participants will leave with actionable insights, a strengthened professional network, and a renewed framework for addressing systemic challenges within their respective industries. Join us in the historic city of York for an immersive experience designed to catalyze transformative change across sectors and geographies.