2nd May will see voters across the region cast their vote for who they think the next Mayor of the West Midlands should be, representing 2.9 million people across seven local authorities.
To give voters, particularly those with an interest in/working in the West Midlands tech sector, a chance to hear more from the hopeful candidates and parties techUK has organised a hustings for the 10th of April from 4pm-7pm, which will be hosted at the Bramall Music Building, University of Birmingham.
Matt Robinson, Head of Nations and Regions at techUK said: “The West Midlands tech sector is worth just over £15 billion, so it’s essential that the mayor is engaging with, representing, collaborating and appreciating the vital role that the tech sector plays in driving growth, generating new products, creating jobs, driving public services, changing lives, supporting society, tackling climate change and connecting our lives.
“This hustings provides the Mayoral candidates and parties with an opportunity to discuss their plans and proposals and give the local tech community a chance to find out more and ask their questions.”
We are looking forward to welcoming the candidates, techUK and members of the WM tech community and to hosting an illuminating event in the run-up to polling day
Professor Karen Elliott, the University of Birmingham
The hustings will include mayoral candidates and party representatives and will be moderated by Tracy Pound, Founder and MD of Maximity and Chair of the Board of Directors at CompTIA.
The speakers attending the hustings are:
- Andy Street, the Conservative Party Candidate
- Siobhan Harper-Nunes, the Green Party Candidate
- Labour Party representative
- Lee Dargue, the Liberal Democrat Party spokesperson
- Paul Hopkins, the Reform Party spokesperson
Professor Karen Elliott from the University of Birmingham, who helped organise the event alongside Dr Anandadeep Mandal and Dr Francesco Pierangeli, said: “Universities play a huge role in the West Midlands’s tech sector and this event is a brilliant opportunity for those across the industry such as start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, multinational firms, public and private sector, tech venture capital, universities and colleges leading on digital skills and entrepreneurs, to come together and hear from the candidates.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the candidates, techUK and members of the WM tech community and to hosting an illuminating event in the run-up to polling day.”
You can find out more about the event and register to attend here.
