12:45 - 13:45

Connecting Cities:
What next for urban transport? 

Speakers will include: Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly MP (Transport Secretary), Helen Holland (Leader, Bristol City Council), Louise Ellman MP (Chair, Transport Select Committee), Angie Robinson (Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce), Jeremy Acklam (The Trainline) 

Manchester Suite,
IoD Hub

17:45 - 18:45

An estate of mind:
Does new housing have to mean soulless neighbourhoods?

Speakers: Iain Wright MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DCLG), Richard Simmons (Chief Executive, CABE), Tom Bloxham MBE (Urban Splash), Lynsey Hanley (Author: 'Estates: An Intimate History')

Manchester Suite,
IoD Hub

19:30 - 21:30

Urban Hub launch reception
Culture and regeneration

Speakers: Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Sir Richard Leese (Leader, Manchester City Council), Peter Miller (Director, Development Design & Construction, Westfield)

Manchester Art Gallery

Hard times:
What will the changing economic climate mean for cities?

Speakers to include: Jon Cruddas MP, Larry Elliott, (Economics Editor, Guardian - invited), Alexandra Jones, (The Work Foundation).

12:45 - 13:45

Skilling up cities:
Is the UK up to the job?

Speakers to include: Rt Hon John Denham MP (Secretary of State for Skills), Lord Peter Smith (Leader, Wigan Council and Chair, AGMA), Alexandra Jones (The Work Foundation), Tony Douglas (Laing O'Rourke) 

Manchester Suite,
IoD Hub

The built environment:
Can the state design happiness?

Speakers: Iain Wright MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DCLG), Tom Bloxham MBE (Urban Splash), Phil Redmond, (Deputy Chair, Liverpool Capital of Culture), Sunand Prasad (President, RIBA).  Chair: Hugh Pearman (Writer and Architectural Correspondent, Times) 

Manchester Suite,
IoD Hub

Cities Question Time:
Urban Hub's flagship event on the political, economic, cultural and social issues facing UK cities today. 

Speakers will include: Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government), David Frost (Director-General, British Chambers of Commerce), Sir Richard Leese (Leader, Manchester City Council), Tristram Hunt (Historian and broadcaster) and Peter Miller (Director, Development Design & Construction, Westfield) Chair: Jonathan Freedland, (Guardian). 

Manchester Suite,
IoD Hub

Cities Incorporated:
What say should local employers have in city governance?

Speakers will include: John Healey MP (Minister for Local Government), Angie Robinson (Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce), Sir Richard Leese (Leader, Manchester City Council), Tom Bloxham MBE (Urban Splash)

Lancashire and Cumberland Suite,
IoD Hub

Financing the future of cities:
Who pays?

Speakers will include: John Healey MP (Local Government Minister), Sir Richard Leese (Leader, Manchester City Council), Chris Murray (Director, Core Cities), Angie Robinson (Chief Executive, Greater manchester Chamber of Commerce), Michael Taylor, Editor of NW Business Insider (Chair).