Speaker line-up confirmed for Sheffield HS2 Summit

29th January 2016

Three leading figures from the worlds of business, industry and investment have been confirmed as speakers at the forthcoming Sheffield HS2 Summit.

Organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, 'Getting the right location for the SCR HS2 station: the role of business' will be held at Sheffield City Hall on February 18 and aims to set out the facts around the location of the HS2 station and underline its importance to the business community. [caption id="attachment_23236" align="alignright" width="150"] Henk Bouwman[/caption] The speaker line-up, designed to offer independent views of the economic and strategic issues around the station location, has now been confirmed and will include Henk Bouwman, who is currently working with the Independent Transport Commission (ITC) consulting on the spatial impact of High Speed Rail in UK cities. The director of UiP urban producers, Henk is also a member of the Academy of Urbansim. [caption id="attachment_23267" align="alignleft" width="150"] Gerald Jennings[/caption] Gerald Jennings is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has worked in the retail property sector for more than 25 years. He formed his own property company and consultancy last year when he also became President of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, and is in particular leading the business case for Devolution and HS2. [caption id="attachment_23235" align="alignright" width="150"] Justin Urquhart Stewart[/caption] Justin Urquhart Stewart is one of the UK's best known names in investment management, and an enthusiast for the development of regional investment structures for businesses of all sizes, as well as reforming investment structures for both investors and companies. A regular media commentator and columnist, he is often called upon to demystify complicated financial jargon and stories. Sheffield Chamber Executive Director Richard Wright said: -The industry knowledge and economic credibility of the speaker line-up is unparalleled and I look forward to welcoming all three speakers to the Sheffield City Region to help us draw upon all the information and give us that impartial opinion we need. As well as the speaker line-up, the summit will feature a debate and a Q&A session. Richard added: -The location of the HS2 station has enormous implications for the future economy of the region. The current options are a parkway type station at Meadowhall, or a city centre location on the site of the old Victoria station. -As an independent economic organisation, Sheffield Chamber is passionate that the right location is chosen. -We understand the sensitivities of the decision to many parts of the region however so we have tried hard to bring in the right independent speakers. We hope that every business attending will support our call for the Department for Transport to conduct an independent economic review of the best location. We are prepared to get behind its findings The event, at The Memorial Hall at Sheffield City Hall, will run from 8am to 10:30am. For more information or to book a place visit www.scci.org.uk/events.