The first in a series of BESA events around the UK took place on Thursday 15 September, kindly hosted by YPO in Wakefield.

It saw a range of members and Launchpad companies, alongside guests from local schools, attend and get stuck into the meaty discussion about how schools can help build the Northern Powerhouse. 

There was a fantastic range of speakers including Andrea Jenkyns MP, vice-chair of the APPG for Education; renowned educationalist and  bestselling author Gervase Phinn, leading expert on apprenticeships; Dr Ruth Mieschbuehler, University of Derby; Tim Kitching from Leading Edge Associates and the founder of Innovate My School, Michael Forshaw.