Skip to main content

Published: Monday 06 June 2022

Midlands Connect Rural Mobility Conference

Join us for our first ever Rural Mobility Conference, discussing how we can tackle rural transport connectivity!

The Rural Powerhouse Conference will take place on Monday 20th June at The Civic Suite, Parkside, Station Approach in Melton Mowbray. We will be joined by the Department for Transport, senior politicians, decision makers and experts for a number of keynote speeches, panels, discussions and debates throughout the day.

We will also be announcing the winners of our rural mobility competition, proposing technological solutions enhance connectivity for local communities. You can read more about the competition here.

The conference will be an interactive event, where attendees will be able to ask questions and influence topics of discussion. We hope to see you there!

Click here to sign up today.

Full Agenda

10:00 - Welcome & introduction (Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect)

10:15 - Midlands Connect's work so far (Richard Bradley, Head of Strategy at Midlands Connect)

10:35 - Winner of rural prize announced

10:40 - Discussion panel for the competition winner

11:20 - Break

11:45 - Panel for two other competing schemes

12:15 - Lunch

13:00 - Keynote Speech plus Q&A (Tim Farron MP, Lib Dem Rural Affairs spokesperson)

13:35 - Break

13:50 - Rural Services Panel

  • Amy Cobbett (Business and Rural Affairs Adviser, NFU)
  • Vanessa Strange (Head of Infrastructure Investment at Lincolnshire County Council)
  • James Willocks (Transport Commissioning Manager, Shropshire Council)
  • Chair: Sarah Spink (Strategic Partnerships Lead, Midlands Connect)

14:20 - Panel with the Department for Transport

  • Deepak Marok (Policy Advisor, Department for Transport)
  • Chair: Richard Bradley (Head of Strategy, Midlands Connect)

15:00 - Close of event