Urban Regeneration speakers

Jimmy Mizen was killed in a random act of violence in a southeast London bakery the day after his 16th birthday in 2008. Barry and his wife, Margaret, have become prominent and vocal campaigners for peace within our communities. Barry and Margaret were recognised in the New Year Honours list for the charitable work they have done since their son was killed in 2008.

Christopher is a leading voice on the potential for new energy technologies and strategies to replace fossil fuels - increasing energy security and avoiding dangerous climate change. Christopher’s two decades of energy research and writing encompasses solar energy, wind power, bio energy, geothermal power and energy efficiency. He is President of the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based international research organisation focused on energy, resource and environmental issues.

Jonathan is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he writes for the Daily Telegraph, CNN Style and the Architectural Review among other publications and websites.

Ken Livingstone was the first Mayor of London, a role he held from 8 years, only recently being narrowly edged out of the position by current Mayor, Borris Johnson. His time in office saw important moments, including the introduction of the congestion charge and advocation of public transport in an attempt to tackle London's traffic problems, the expansion of social housing in London, and successfully winning the bid for London to host the Olympic Games in 2012. Ken has also written three successful books, including "If Voting Changed Anything, They'd Abolish It".

Margaret Mizen came to national attention in 2008 when her 16-year-old son Jimmy was murdered in south-east London. In the immediate aftermath, Margaret spoke of compassion for his killer rather than revenge and promised not to be beaten by Jimmy’s death, believing that something good would come from it.

Sir Richard Needham has spent over 45 years in business and politics. He has unrivaled access at the highest levels into both public and private sectors in Asia, Europe and the US. He was the Minister responsible for redesigning and rebuilding Belfast, and is widely recognized throughout Northern Ireland as the man responsible for turning round and regenerating both the North’s infrastructure and economic base. In his role as Minister of Trade, he overhauled and reinvigorated the whole of Britain’s export strategy. He is accepted in Whitehall as Britain’s most successful Minister of Trade since the War. In recognition of his work in Northern Ireland and at the DTI, he was made a Privy Counselor in 1994 and knighted in 1997.

One of the longest serving and most successful leaders of a blue-chip company and a highly regarded businessman, Stuart Hampson was chairman of the John Lewis Partnership for 14 years.

Timo Kiuru is a true global citizen having worked in cities as diverse as Seoul, Istanbul, San Diego, New York, Miami, Barcelona, Paris, Seattle, Tokyo, Helsinki, Abu Dhabi, London, Kazan, Stockholm, Porto, Toronto, Las Vegas, Tallinn, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Tom Bloxham is a property developer and Founder and Group Chairman of the urban renewal property development company Urban Splash. Chair of Manchester International Festival, former Chancellor University of Manchester and Trustee to Manchester United Foundation and the Tate Gallery.

With a career spanning four decades in the design industry, Wayne Hemingway has a fair few stories to tell and lessons to give - and people love to hear them. His talks are insightful, thought-provoking, inspiring, often hilarious and always truthful, warts and all.