Explore the conversations powering the North’s green transformation

Reset Connect North 2026 featured two headline stages packed with powerful  keynotes, panel discussions and real-world case studies, showcasing how businesses and cities are driving the North's green transition.

Transforming Business & Industry Stage 📍Pearl Suite

Discover strategies to decarbonise operations, future-proof supply chains, and align sustainability with growth. Sessions explore investment trends, digital sustainability and the green skills shaping the region’s economy.

Transforming Cities & Communities Stage 📍 Bury Theatre

Explore how local authorities and urban leaders are creating future-ready, climate-resilient places through clean transport, retrofit innovation and regional collaboration for system change.

Main stages Reset Connect North

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Transforming Cities & Communities Stage

Day 1

Loading
09:00
  1. Doors open
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    10 mins
09:10
  1. Official RCN Welcome
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    5 mins
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Tracy Brabin
    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
09:15
  1. Opening Keynote Panel - The Power of Place Leadership, Investment and Growth
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    35 mins
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Phil Murden
    Phil Murden, Office Senior Partner, Leeds - KPMG
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Tracy Brabin
    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Susan Aitken
    Susan Aitken, Leader - Glasgow City Council
10:00
  1. KPMG keynote Panel - Reframing Sustainability: Building Resilience & Driving Growth
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    This panel will explore how forward-looking organisations are beginning to reframe sustainability, both through the lens of business resilience and as a driver of innovation, growth and competitive ad …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Richard Andrews
    Richard Andrews, UK Sustainability Lead - KPMG
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jerome Baddley
    Jerome Baddley, Sustainability Director - Center Parcs
    Speaker image for Bibi Rodgers Hunt
    Bibi Rodgers Hunt, Head of Sustainability - Quorn Foods
    Speaker image for Mark Lee
    Mark Lee, CEO - Deep Green
    Speaker image for Lewis Richards
    Lewis Richards, CTO, Energy - Microsoft
11:00
  1. Shaping Resilient, Sustainable Cities for Thriving Communities
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    This panel looks at how cities such as Leeds and Manchester are leading the way in sustainable urban development. The discussion will explore green infrastructure, low-carbon transport, energy-efficie …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Stuart Leslie
    Stuart Leslie, Director - Local Authority Advisory and Lending - National Wealth Fund
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Christopher Hammond
    Christopher Hammond, CEO - UK100
    Speaker image for Amy House
    Amy House, Director - Green Economy
    Speaker image for John Reed
    John Reed, Interim SRO for Mass Transit - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Katie Dye
    Katie Dye, Councillor - Leeds City Council Climate Emergency Advisory Committee
12:15
  1. The Warm Homes Plan Driving Consumer Engagement
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    With the government's Warm Homes Plan now a reality, this panel will get to the heart of the challenge: how do we unlock the investment and consumer buy-in needed to deliver on its ambitious goals? Mo …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Laura Sharp
    Laura Sharp, Director - Customer & Digital - KPMG
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jim Bennett
    Jim Bennett, Low Carbon Director - Octopus Energy
    Speaker image for David Glew
    David Glew, Director of the Leeds Sustainability Institute - Leeds Beckett University
    Speaker image for Jess McNeill
    Jess McNeill, Head of Home Energy West Yorkshire - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Andrew Spencer
    Andrew Spencer, Strategic Solutions & Partnerships Director - Equans UK & Ireland
14:00
  1. Understanding GB Energy's Role in Britain's Energy Transition
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    25 mins
    In this fireside chat, KPMG’s Vice Chair and Head of Energy & Natural Resources, Simon Virley CB, sits down with Paul Addison, Director of Policy & External Affairs at GB Energy, to unpack the organis …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Paul Addison
    Paul Addison, Director of Policy & External Affairs - GB Energy
14:30
  1. The Electric Revolution Transforming Transport for a Zero-Emission Future
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    The UK’s shift to electric transport is accelerating across private, commercial and public fleets. This panel explores how innovation, infrastructure and policy are enabling the change, from urban bus …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for James Murray
    James Murray, Editor-in-Chief - Business Green
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Julia Meek
    Julia Meek, Director of Bus and Coach - UK - Zenobē
    Speaker image for Charles Wood
    Charles Wood, Deputy Director of Policy - Energy UK
    Speaker image for Andrew Hickford
    Andrew Hickford, Senior Project Manager in Climate, Energy & Green Spaces - Leeds City Council
15:45
  1. Building a Sustainable Food Future and Resilient Supply Chains
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    This panel explores the critical challenges shaping sustainable food systems and supply chains. Panelists will examine how climate change is affecting agricultural productivity and food security, alon …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Sebastian Munden
    Sebastian Munden, Chair - WRAP
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Yeshna Mistry
    Yeshna Mistry, Sustainability Manager - Myton Food Group
    Speaker image for Bibi Rodgers Hunt
    Bibi Rodgers Hunt, Head of Sustainability - Quorn Foods
    Speaker image for Cassandra Hayward
    Cassandra Hayward, Post-Doctoral Researcher - Advanced Food Innovation Centre - Sheffield Hallam University
16:45
  1. Day 1 Closing Keynote
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    15 mins
17:00
  1. Small99's People, Planet, Pint™: Susty Meetup
    White Cloth Hall
    120 mins
    Join us for an informal end-of-day sustainability meetup for the Reset Connect North community with just People, Planet, Pint™. at the White Cloth Hall  (27 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA)

Day 2

Loading
09:00
  1. Doors open
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    10 mins
09:10
  1. Opening Keynote - Collaborative procurement for clean growth
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    15 mins
    Innovation thrives not just on great ideas, but on the ecosystems that enable them. That’s why West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Innovate UK Business Connect have come together to pilot a Net Zero …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Vincent McCabe
    Vincent McCabe, Policy & Partnerships Lead (Green Economy) - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Kevin Ward
    Kevin Ward, Knowledge Transfer Manager - Innovate UK
09:30
  1. Keynote Panel - How Regional Stakeholders are using Investment to enhance Community Development and Nature Recovery
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    40 mins
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Jonathan Wragg
    Jonathan Wragg, Co-founder and CEO - Ltt Group
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Clare Ollerenshaw
    Clare Ollerenshaw, Project Manager - Nature - West Midlands Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Mark Burley
    Mark Burley, Social Value & Partnership Manager - Keepmoat
10:15
  1. Keynote - From global climate science to national local climate action
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    20 mins
    This talk will cover the most recent climate trends and global policy after the climate Summit in Belém at the end of last year. It will cover UK progress , the role of the UK Climate Change Committee …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Piers Forster CBE
    Piers Forster CBE, Director - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures / Member - Climate Change Committee
11:00
  1. How Innovation is Driving Economic Growth in Northern Cities
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    The transition to a zero-emissions economy by 2050 demands unprecedented innovation, with over a third of the emission reductions relying on technologies not yet commercially available. This panel exp …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Natalie Allen
    Natalie Allen, Head of Business Partnerships - Leeds Beckett University
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ed Whiting
    Ed Whiting, Chief Executive - Leeds City Council
    Speaker image for Ste Garlick
    Ste Garlick, BDP's Strategic and Advisory Lead for Decarbonisation & Retrofit | AECB Expert Advisor | Architect - BDP
    Speaker image for Ryan Case
    Ryan Case, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Manager (Europe) - Starship Technologies
    Speaker image for Sarah Tulip
    Sarah Tulip, Digital Ambassador - And Then Consulting
12:15
  1. Collaborative Flood Management for a Climate Resilient Future
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    The North of the UK is facing increasingly severe flood risks due to climate change, from heavy rainfall and river surges to rising seas and overwhelmed urban drainage systems. Addressing these challe …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Irantzu Lexartza-Artza
    Irantzu Lexartza-Artza, Senior Scientist - Arup
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Alex Martin
    Alex Martin, Head of Environmental Risk - Admiral
    Speaker image for Jonathan Moxon
    Jonathan Moxon, Executive Manager - Flood Risk & Climate Resilience - Leeds City Council
    Speaker image for James Morgan
    James Morgan, Project Manager - United Infrastructure
    Speaker image for Nick Sellwood
    Nick Sellwood, Programme Director - Northern Forest - The Woodland Trust
14:00
  1. Keynote - The Economic Prize of Innovation & Transformation
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    15 mins
    Mandy Ridyard is the Mayor’s Business Advisor, Chair of Space Hub Yorkshire and Financial Director of Produmax . She will explore how leading the transition to low-carbon goods and services can streng …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Mandy Ridyard
    Mandy Ridyard, Chief Business Advisor to the Mayor of West Yorkshire. Financial Director - Produmax. Chair Space Hub Yorkshire. - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
14:30
  1. Driving Arts, Media and Creativity Outside the M25
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    The UK has long been home to creative hubs beyond London, from world-class media production to thriving arts and cultural sectors.  This panel explores how regional arts and media initiatives, through …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Rebecca Ball
    Rebecca Ball, Area Director North - Arts Council England
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Phillip Holdgate
    Phillip Holdgate, Head of Production Sustainability - ITV
    Speaker image for Daniel Bates
    Daniel Bates, Director - Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture
    Speaker image for Beatrice Neumann
    Beatrice Neumann, Head of Skills and Industry Engagement - Screen Yorkshire
    Speaker image for Terry Roberts
    Terry Roberts, Environmental Sustainability Manager - Edinburgh International Festival
15:45
  1. Can Sport Score on Sustainability?
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    60 mins
    Northern sports clubs from rugby and football to cricket are embedding sustainability into operations and fan engagement, inspired by initiatives like the RFL’s “More Than A Sport” strategy, demonstra …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Dom Goggins
    Dom Goggins, CEO - BASIS
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Helen Pheby
    Helen Pheby, Head of Culture, Heritage and Sport - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Jonny Dowler
    Jonny Dowler, Sustainability Officer - Rugby Football League
    Speaker image for Thom Rawson
    Thom Rawson, Sustainability Lead - Leeds United FC
    Speaker image for Bolu Fagborun
    Bolu Fagborun, Board Director - Fagborun Ltd
16:45
  1. Closing Keynote - This is an emergency. Here's how to build a green and prosperous West Yorkshire
    Bury Theatre (Ground Floor)
    15 mins
    A climate emergency demands bold local action, and West Yorkshire has the tools and know-how to lead. Drawing on 25 years of research, Prof Paul Chatterton explores what this might mean in practice wh …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Paul Chatterton
    Paul Chatterton, Professor of Urban Futures - University of Leeds

Transforming Business & Industry Stage

Day 1

Loading
09:00
  1. Doors open
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    10 mins
11:15
  1. How Can Businesses Turn Sustainability into Opportunities?
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    Today’s challenge isn’t just about cutting carbon, it's about gaining a competitive edge.  Join us to hear from businesses leading the charge to net zero and decarbonisation. We'll explore how they’re …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Euan West
    Euan West, Head of UK Regions - KPMG
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Rishi Jain
    Rishi Jain, Director of Impact - Liverpool Football Club
    Speaker image for Michelle Cooper
    Michelle Cooper, International Trade Adviser - Department for Business & Trade
    Speaker image for Tom Patterson
    Tom Patterson, Senior Agency Partner & Sustainability Lead - Channel 4
12:30
  1. Powering Industry for a Flexible Renewable Energy Future
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    The North of England is central to the UK’s energy transition, from offshore wind on the Humber to hydrogen innovation in Teesside and smart grid trials in Manchester. Rising demand from electrifying …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Beth Hebditch
    Beth Hebditch, Head of Policy - Carbon Capture & Storage Association (CCSA)
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Noel Collings
    Noel Collings, Head of Net Zero & Energy - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Speaker image for Jeanette Whitaker
    Jeanette Whitaker, Associate Science Director - UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
    Speaker image for Karl Smyth
    Karl Smyth - Enfinium
15:30
  1. Decarbonising the North’s Hard-to-Abate Industries for a Resilient Future
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    The North is home to some of the UK’s most iconic industries and energy-intensive industries. From the glass and steel that shape our world to the chemicals that power our future. These are more than …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Chris Gilbert
    Chris Gilbert, Director - Decarbonisation Consulting Ltd
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Alasdair Dalzel-Job
    Alasdair Dalzel-Job, Technical Lead - Green Economy
    Speaker image for Rupert Bull
    Rupert Bull, CEO and Co-Founder - The Disruption House
    Speaker image for Kate Lloyd
    Kate Lloyd, Civil Engineering Manager - Civil Engineering Contractors Association
    Speaker image for Dan Sadler
    Dan Sadler, Director of Scheme Delivery - Low Carbon Contracts Company & Electricity Settlements Company
17:00
  1. Small99's People, Planet, Pint™: Susty Meetup
    White Cloth Hall
    120 mins
    Join us for an informal end-of-day sustainability meetup for the Reset Connect North community with just People, Planet, Pint™. at the White Cloth Hall  (27 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA)

Day 2

Loading
09:00
  1. Doors open
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    10 mins
09:40
  1. Keynote - Why don’t consumers engage with sustainable investing?
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    20 mins
    It isn’t because people don’t care about the planet — it’s because financial capability in the UK is uniquely poor - most people barely understand saving, pensions, or investing, so concepts like sust …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Dan Russell
    Dan Russell, Founder - Funkled
10:00
  1. Embodying Your Values: The Synergies Between Philanthropy and Sustainability
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    Philanthropy and impact investing are playing an increasingly important role in accelerating green development, as donors and investors look for more strategic ways to address environmental challenges …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Juliet Valdinger
    Juliet Valdinger, Holistic Philanthropy Adviser - J Valdinger Consulting Ltd
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Nancy Bikson
    Nancy Bikson, Managing Director - Chapel & York
    Speaker image for Rachel Tomlins
    Rachel Tomlins, Head of Philanthropy - The Charity Service
    Speaker image for Cate Quentin
    Cate Quentin, Head of Wealth Management - Tribe Impact Capital
11:15
  1. Securing the Environment for Business in the North
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    The North boasts stunning landscapes, from the ancient woodlands of Otley Chevin to the restored wetlands of Wigan Flashes. These spaces are not just scenic; they are critical natural infrastructure t …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Bruce Howard
    Bruce Howard, Director - Ecosystems Knowledge Network
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Phoebe Tucker
    Phoebe Tucker, Senior Nature Associate - Green Finance Institute
    Speaker image for Mark Cunliffe-Lister
    Mark Cunliffe-Lister, Owner - The Swinton Estate
    Speaker image for Will Lockhart
    Will Lockhart, Deputy Director for Nature Markets and Investment - DEFRA
    Speaker image for Hannah Eskell
    Hannah Eskell, Senior Nature Manager - Aviva
12:30
  1. A Green Patient is a Healthy Patient - Investing in Health Through Sustainability
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    A healthier planet supports healthier people and healthier patients reduce pressure on healthcare systems. In the North of England, where health inequalities are often greatest, investing in green hea …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Helena Vesty
    Helena Vesty, NHS, Social Care and Patients Reporter - Manchester Evening News
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Esther Smith
    Esther Smith, Senior Adviser Health and Environment - Natural England
    Speaker image for Cliff Shelton
    Cliff Shelton, Consultant Anaesthetist - Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester
    Speaker image for Laura Turnbull
    Laura Turnbull, Chief People Officer - Pharmacy2U
14:45
  1. Skills, Innovation and Opportunity for Green Jobs and Global Impact
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    The transition to a low-carbon economy is creating new career paths for young people, from hands-on green skills to high-tech innovation. As global markets invest in climate solutions, Northern cities …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for Sarah Mukherjee
    Sarah Mukherjee, CEO - Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Fiona Bolam
    Fiona Bolam, Chief Officer for Economy and Skills - Leeds City Council
    Speaker image for Kim Schoppink
    Kim Schoppink, Europe Regional Lead - SBTi
    Speaker image for Olivia Partington
    Olivia Partington, Engagement Lead - Climate School
    Speaker image for Chris Hewett
    Chris Hewett, CEO - Solar Energy UK
16:00
  1. ClimateTech Investment Fueling the Next Wave of Northern Start-Ups and Scale-Ups
    Pearl Suite (First Floor)
    60 mins
    The entrepreneurial spirit of net-zero innovation is thriving outside London, with start-ups and scale-ups in clean energy, smart mobility and green manufacturing developing breakthrough technologies …
    Moderator
    Speaker image for James Cole
    James Cole, Chief Innovation Officer - Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Nic Spicer
    Nic Spicer, Director - mc2 Transition Partners Ltd
    Speaker image for Nima Farighi
    Nima Farighi, Managing Director - Aroco Impact Capital
    Speaker image for Roland Harwood
    Roland Harwood, Co-Founder & Board Member - Climate Tech Supercluster
    Speaker image for Agnes Czako
    Agnes Czako, CEO and Founder - Airex

Dive into more of what the 2026 conference had to offer

Show floor hubs (opens in a new tab)

VIP Workshops & roundtables (opens in a new tab)

Pitch & invest programme (opens in a new tab)