George Oliver will moderate as political and business leaders meet to discuss regional devolution in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The 1284 Communications managing director was invited to moderate the event, organised by Leicestershire Business Voice in collaboration with East Midlands Chamber.

The panel discussion will bring Leicester and Leicestershire’s business community together with political leaders for a forward-looking discussion on mayoral devolution.

The aim is to reflect business perspectives in the ongoing planning for devolution from the region's city, county and district councils.

LBV invited George to moderate the discussion, based on his experience as a journalist and work with regional business organisations including LBV, East Midlands Chamber, and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 

He said: “Government has made it clear that it sees devolution as the means to transfer of spending power and decision making to England's regions. 

“All parties agree that change will happen in Leicester and Leicestershire at some stage - events such as this are important as a means of getting the voice of businesses considered during planning.

“This event is an opportunity for business leaders to have their questions answered and for political leaders to share their thinking about this essential reorganisation.”

Cllr Pip Alnatt (Leader of Melton Borough Council and representing Leicestershire's borough and district Councils), Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester's City Mayor), and Cllr Dan Harrison (Leader of Leicestershire County Council) have all been invited to take part in the discussion.

They will answer questions from the audience and a panel of business leaders including:

• Iain McKenzie – COO, Mattioli Woods; LBV Board Director
• Richard Osborne – Director, Excello Law; Lead for Leicestershire REIF, MIPIM, Leicester Business Festival; Director of Team Leicester
• Angela Orton – Owner, Structural Adhesives; King's Award for Enterprise recipient
• Sarah Windrum – Head of Cluster Development, MIRA Technology Park
• Kevin Harris – Chair of EMC; former Chair of Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership; consultant and business owner.

In December 2024, the government published its English Devolution White Paper, setting out plans for devolution nationwide.

This will involve deepening the powers of regional mayors and reorganising local government.

The purpose of devolution is to address economic performance in regions outside of London by giving them more powers and resources to improve local economies, thereby making a bigger contribution to the national economy.

Tomorrow's event, at MIRA Technology Park, follows a similar LBV event in June (pictured) which looked at the related subject of local government reorganisation.