Key Speakers Thu 24 Sep
Guest Speakers
Professor Brian Cox MBE – “In Conversation”
Professor Brian Cox MBE is Professor of Particle Physics at The University of Manchester, The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society. As a broadcaster, he has presented a number of highly acclaimed science programmes for the BBC, boosting the popularity of subjects such as astronomy and physics and garnering a host of accolades, including two Royal Television Society awards and a Peabody Award for Wonders Of The Solar System.
He has also authored a series of best-selling books, including the widely acclaimed Human Universe and Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos, and is recognised as the foremost communicator for all things scientific. His critically acclaimed BBC series, Forces of Nature, aired in 2016, and he hosted a new series of Stargazing Live, as well as Stargazing: Moon Landing Special in the summer of 2019. He holds two Guinness World Record titles for his sell out live tours, the most recent of which – for most tickets sold for a science show - was set during his current world tour which is taking in venues around the world and saw 11,433 people attend his show at The Arena Birmingham (he also holds the current records for most tickets sold for a science tour at over 150,000).
Brian’s latest BBC Two series, The Planets, aired in May 2019 and was greeted by rave critical and audience reviews, becoming one of the channel’s most watched series of the year with huge consolidated audiences.
Councillor Andrew Western, Green City Region portfolio leader
A lifelong Trafford resident, Andrew is the recently elected Leader of Trafford Council and has been a local councillor representing Sale town centre since 2011.
Andrew’s professional background is in project management, predominantly in civil engineering specialising in supporting delivery of large scale infrastructure programmes. He has also worked on IT transformation projects including at Manchester Airport Group.
Build Back Better Panel
Alison Wright. Chief Executive, Wigan Council
Jessica Bowles, Strategy Director, Bruntwood
Nigel Topping, UK's High-Level Climate Action Champion
Sarah Price, Interim Chief Officer, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership