Regeneration expert to speak about recapturing Bradford's 'history of innovation'

Lord Andrew Mawson, who was born in Bradford, will be a speaker at the Flourishing City seminar at Bradford Cathedral tonight.

He will talk about his experiences of regeneration projects in London in a session titled Back to the Future: how to recapture Bradford’s history of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Lord Mawson founded the charity Community Action Network and Andrew Mawson Partnerships, which takes on regeneration work throughout the country.

He was recently appointed Chairman of Well North, a Public Health England initiative working with local authorities and the social enterprise and private sectors to improve the health of people in the North.

Flourishing City is a series of seminars at the Cathedral exploring different things that need to come together for developing cities in the 21st century, including business, architecture, health, technology, sustainability, education and faith.

In this seminar, Lord Mawson will explore Bradford’s history of innovation and what can be done to return the city to its glory days. He will share his story which started in a run down church and today has led him to play a leading role in the development of the Olympic Park.

Lord Mawson will explain how an entrepreneurial and innovative approach was as important in East London, where he has worked for 34 years, as it was for the founding fathers of Bradford.

The session also looks at the current context of Bradford and an emerging generation of entrepreneurs, and the potential to transform the city once again. The audience will be asked for their opinions too.

Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Jerry Lepine, says “The aim of these evenings is not only to provide something that is thought-provoking for the future of Bradford but also provokes action. Lord Mawson has an inspiring story to tell but he is also an entrepreneur who wants to produce healthy change in this City. As a Bradfordian he is keen to make a big contribution to the future of this city. I am excited about the potential outcomes from this evening.”

The event will start at 7pm and last around 75 minutes.

Entry is free and light refreshments will be served from 6.30pm. For more information contact the Cathedral on 01274 777720.