Event description

Leeds Business School presents Liz Hunter of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to discuss the strategic economic framework for the region.

Leeds Beckett University’s Business School presents Liz Hunter, the Interim Director of Policy and Development at West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Liz will talk about the strategic economic framework that sets out the vision for the ongoing transformation of West Yorkshire and establishes investment and decision-making priorities.

In May 2021 residents elected the first West Yorkshire Mayor who set out a series of priorities for the region. In this talk Hunter will explore these priorities, from tackling climate change, developing a modern transport system and attracting jobs and investment to the region.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership brings together local councils and businesses to collaborate on issues that cross local authority boundaries. Liz will explore the evidence which underpins this work and identifies the key strengths, challenges, and opportunities faced when looking to the future. 

Speaker biography

Liz Hunter is the Interim Director of Policy and Development at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Liz previously worked at Leeds City Council and the Civil Service within the Department for Transport, where she worked on policy development across numerous transport issues including the spending reviews. Liz has also previously been seconded to work with High Speed Two and HM Treasury.

As Interim Director for Policy and Development, Hunter’s role is to develop policies, strategies and programmes for West Yorkshire. These include the transformation of the region, as an inclusive, zero carbon economy and to support the region to recover from Covid-19. Liz works to secure the investment and powers to put those policies into action and championing the region’s interests locally, nationally and internationally. 

Series description

Leeds Business School guest lectures have been a key feature of the regional business calendar for over 20 years. 

Industry experts, leading business figures and entrepreneurs are invited to speak across a range of subjects including business and management, leadership, marketing, PR, economics, finance, accounting, and human resource management.    

Open to business, professionals, students, alumni and Leeds Beckett University colleagues, the lectures are currently being held online.