Major Projects Conference - Delivering in the South West

There is a view that the South-West is not a high priority for Government with a strong focus on the North. Many believe that the South West is fragmented, rural and on occasion negative. The South West annex of the industrial strategy is relatively weak and doesn’t really communicate the value or importance of investments already underway.

The mission is to reposition this and rewrite the narrative to communicate the true extent of growth and investment already happening in the South West? The region is host to one of the largest construction projects in Europe, delivering exceptional outcomes, and has kick-started the largest gigafactory site in the UK to support UK transport decarbonisation.

Whether energy, defence, critical minerals, homes, infrastructure, or academic excellence, the South West is an exceptional region that drives and delivers economic growth, as well as underpins national security and food security. Framed within an enviable natural environment, the South West economy can boost UK capabilities and prospects. The South West passion and spirit is tangible - getting things done.

Working collaboratively, the public and private sectors can expedite growth and create opportunities for businesses and communities. It attracts inward investment and long-term well paid jobs in areas that are critical for the UK not just in financial terms but also with respect to domestic security.

The conference aims to celebrate success, champion collaboration and draw out key lessons. The outcome being to collaborate and share a regional wide appreciation of economic transformation and delivery, drawing out best practice, factors of success to further enable economic growth and prosperity in the South West.

Date: Monday 18th May 2026

Time: 09:00 - 15:30 (registration from 08:30)

Location: McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4PZ

The McMillan Theatre is situated just off Bath Road in Bridgwater, Somerset. It is easy to get to from Bridgwater train station with plenty of free parking. The Theatre is fully accessible, with step-free access, lifts and accessible toilets throughout.

09:00 - 09:30: Arrivals – Teas and Coffees

09:30 - 09:35: Welcome and housekeeping

09:35 - 09:40: Delivering in the South West- Introduction to Conference – Championing the South West

09:45 -10: 00: Celebrating Success - Connecting Growth to Host Communities and Transforming Outcomes

10:00 - 10:15: "Delivering Hinkley Point C: Boosting Economic Growth and Creating a Long-Term Legacy”

10:15 -10:30: The Fourth Industrial Revolution in the heart of Somerset- Decarbonisation of the transport sector in the UK (links to J 22a, National Highways, grid)

10:30 - 10:45: New opportunities for supply chain development in a circular economy

10:45 -1100: Questions to the panel

11:00- 11:30: Tea Break/networking

11:30 - 11:45: Bristol West of England Showcase - Temple Quarter, to NCC, Brabazon

11:45 - 12:00: Bristol Airport - Supporting Economic Growth in the South West

12:00 - 1230: Bristol Port – Logistics and defence hub

12:30 - 12:45: Investing in Water infrastructure- Tidal Surge Barriers to Reservoirs

12:45 -13:00: Panel questions

13:00 -13:15: Planning in Somerset

13:15 - 14:00: Networking and lunch

14:00 -14:15: Defence and security as an economic driver

14:15 -14:30: The Crown Estate

14:30 - 14:45: Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster - The Channel Gateway

14:45 -15:00: "Developing a Green Gas Network for the South West"

15:00: Panel

15:15: Close and departures by 15:30

We expect speakers and panellists from: UCS College, The Crown Estate, Defence, EDF, The Bristol Port Company, Bristol Airport, KPMG, Altilium, Agratas, the University of Somerset, Morwind Ltd and the South West Business Council, Agratas, Somerset Council, Wales and West Utilities.

The final line-up of speakers will be announced shortly.

Refund Policy:

Refunds will be allowable up to 21 days before the event.

Porter Dodson are proud to co-sponsor the SWBC Annual Conference, an event that supports the conversations and collaborations shaping the South West’s future because great things happen when businesses invest in community and connection.

Their straight-talking, pragmatic approach to legal advice is the result of over 25 years of experience and talent development. They do more than offer a range of options – they'll help you find the route that’s right for you, providing a clear sense of direction on how to best protect your family and assets.

Andy’s career has spanned over 35 years in Further Education, initially starting in a technical support role, rising through teaching and curriculum management positions to his current leadership role today. He is passionate about the role of FE Colleges as anchor organisations, with a clear vision of their role to transform lives and the communities they serve.

Andy provided the strategic leadership and vision to drive through the College Group’s ambition to become the first College in the Country to be approved to deliver nursing Degrees. Assembling and supporting a team of dedicated professionals who worked alongside external stakeholders from our partner university, the NHS and the regulators. There are now over 350 nurses on programme achieving transformational change across the NHS in Somerset, and beyond. This groundbreaking work was, of course, recognised with the College’s third Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Education.

As Head of People & Culture, Emily has spent nearly three years supporting Altilium through a period of rapid growth, scaling the team from 18 to 50 in 18 months. She leads the people strategy for the ACT3 scale-up, designing agile, fit-for-purpose processes and systems that enable growth, built from the ground up to suit the business. She is also driving regional impact through education outreach and inspiring the next generation into clean tech careers. Emily has a BA in International Business, MA in Human Resource Management, a PG Diploma in Professional Development (Leadership) and achieved Chartered Membership of CIPD.

Andrew Burns was appointed Fleet Commander in September 2021 and commanded all operational arms of the Royal Navy (Surface Flotilla, Submarine Flotilla, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary). This included their generation for task and operational effectiveness. He was the Chief Naval Warfare Officer and the Gender Advocate for the Royal Navy.

He has been privileged to command the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Berkeley, the frigate HMS SOMERSET and the amphibious assault ship HMS BULWARK. He was appointed OBE in 2015. Promoted to Commodore, he commanded the Amphibious Task Group, which included a period in command of the US Fifth Fleet Combined Task Force 50 as the Principal Warfighting Commander. More recently, he was Commander United Kingdom Strike Force, the Royal Navy’s deployable 2* operational commander, and Rear Admiral Surface Ships, the head of the Surface Flotilla Fighting Arm.

He has attended the Royal College of Defence Studies as an Associate Member and is a graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (MA in Defence Studies, King’s College London) and the Higher Command and Staff Course. He is an alumnus of the London and Oxford University Said Business Schools.

Andrew is responsible for ensuring that Hinkley Point C continues to work collaboratively with external partners to maximise the social and economic opportunities of Europe’s largest low-carbon energy project. With an academic background in sustainability and energy policy, Andrew has been part of the Hinkley Point C project for over a decade – initially working as part of the team developing the planning application that provided the go-ahead for the first new nuclear power station in Britain for a generation.

Claire has over thirty years’ experience working across the public and private sectors in a diverse range of development roles, all with a key focus on place transformation, performance and delivery. With a demonstrable track record in nationally significant and complex regeneration projects, Claire has been able to create the conditions to attract investment, transform places and uplift opportunities for communities. Known for a pro-growth, pro-business approach, Claire has led and delivered considerable economic restructuring both in Reading and more recently in Bridgwater, Somerset and has left a legacy that celebrates sustained economic growth.

Formally Chief Planning Officer for Sedgemoor District Council, Claire led the public sector response to Hinkley Point C from strategy through negotiation to implementation. She has provided strategic advice on Sizewell C and has operated as the Director of Planning in the private sector for 5 years, re-imaging the planning and regeneration strategy to create the Gravity project, securing the Tata/ Agratas gigafactory into the UK.

Paul is a strategic leader and thinker who, over the last few years, has built a portfolio career covering the commercial world, public and third sectors. He has a passion for innovation and digital, which he brings to bear to advance the South-West economy.

He has an extensive range of contacts across both the commercial and public sector built on a solid foundation of trust, passion, and delivery. Senior-level stakeholder management has been a key attribute throughout his career.

Paul recently left BT after 31 years to expand his portfolio of interests and help people and businesses navigate COVID. Paul was appointed CEO of the South West Business Council in February 2021, where he has focused on governance, stakeholder management, innovation, and business development.

Matt Hindle is Head of Net Zero & Sustainability at Wales & West Utilities. He is responsible for decarbonisation and sustainability activity for the organisation, which looks after the pipes that keep gas flowing for 7.5m people across Wales and South West England. He has previously worked for Energy Networks Association, where he drove the development of the Gas Goes Green programme, and in the biogas sector. Before that, Matt worked in the Houses of Parliament as a researcher and advisor on policy and legislative issues.

David joined The Bristol Port Company in October 2008 as the Operations Director and was appointed as its Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Bristol Port remains the largest private and independently owned Port in the UK, employing over 600 personnel. It operates over a 2,600 acre estate with a hugely diverse portfolio of trades.

Prior to joining the Port David spent 24 years serving in the British Army during which time he was involved in numerous operational deployments culminating in Commanding his Battalion in Afghanistan in 2007.

David is a member of the West of England Business Board - Everyday Economy Cluster Group and a Deputy Lieutenant for Somerset.

Prior to joining the Port, David spent 24 years serving in the British Army, during which time he was involved in numerous operational deployments, culminating in Commanding his Battalion in Afghanistan in 2007.

Andrew is an experienced finance leader and has most recently held senior finance roles in businesses operating across the retail, financial services, business services and marine sectors.

Prior to this Andrew spent 15 years at Manchester Airports Group, owners of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands Airports, where he held a number of finance leadership roles including Finance Director for Manchester Airport, Finance Director for Group-wide Airport Operations and Group Financial Controller.

Andrew qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Peter launched his first renewable energy company Farm Energy in the late 1980s. Farm Energy was the original developer of Fullabrook, England’s largest onshore wind farm, and, in the late 1990s, London Array, the world’s first, and for several years, largest utility-scale offshore wind farm. Peter was also a founding member of community energy companies South Dartmoor Community Energy and Devon Energy Collective.

In 2020 he helped form Morwind, a collaborative developer, based in the South West, in response to the challenge of developing deep-water floating offshore wind in the Celtic

Tim is a Director in the Marine team at The Crown Estate, with a focus on delivering an offshore energy system that supports the nation's needs for economic growth, prosperity, security and a thriving natural environment.

Prior to joining The Crown Estate, Tim was a member of the interim executive team that established the Energy Systems Catapult - which helps him bring a 'system wide' perspective to challenge of building an offshore energy system to meet the country's needs.

As a Panasonic Trust Fellow, Tim's academic background involves a deep focus on sustainable energy systems, particularly offshore renewables, covering technology, policy and markets.

Tim joined The Crown Estate in 2020. Prior to taking up his current role, he led the design of TCE’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 to bring up to 4.5GW of Floating Wind to the Celtic Sea.

David is a Partner at KPMG and leads its UK Transport Advisory practice, alongside serving as Office Senior Partner for the South West and Wales. He oversees a team of more than 700 professionals across the region, driving growth, performance, and high-quality delivery across audit, tax, and advisory, while championing talent development and an inclusive culture.

With over 23 years’ experience in the rail and bus sectors, David is a recognised leader in transport advisory and a former Global Head of Rail and Bus at KPMG. He has advised governments and major transport authorities on some of the UK’s most high-profile reforms, including rail franchising, the London bus market, and wider bus policy. His expertise combines strategic insight with deep commercial and financial capability.

David has led around 20 major rail franchise bids since 2003, contributing to numerous successful outcomes, and is a trusted advisor to transport operators and public bodies across the UK and Europe. He brings extensive experience in market strategy, transactions, and government negotiations, as well as hands-on leadership through senior client secondments.

Felix was one of the first people to work on the Agratas project, helping secure the major investment to build the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility in Somerset.

He leads teams delivering communications, government relations and sustainability. His background is in British automotive manufacturing, including roles at Jaguar Land Rover.

Bill Cotton is the Chief Planning Officer at Somerset Council, providing senior leadership across planning policy, development management and strategic place-making. He brings extensive experience in local government planning and growth management, with a strong track record of leading complex services through periods of change.

His previous roles have included Executive Director of Place at Oxfordshire County Council and at BCP Council, where he was also the Chair of Bournemouth Development Company – a joint venture partnership with Morgan Sindall. In addition to his permanent appointments, Bill has worked in interim and turnaround roles, supporting councils through periods of transition, governance change, or heightened regulatory scrutiny. These assignments have drawn on his strengths in stabilising services, rebuilding professional capacity, improving performance, and re‑establishing confidence with members, regulators, and external stakeholders.

Mike is Elected Member of Somerset Council for the Lydeard Division and is an Energy, planning, transport & property professional with extensive high level of local authority experience, as both officer and councillor. Mike also has extensive private sector experience, especially in minerals, waste, water and energy. DCO specialist.

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