John Prescott and Howard Bernstein revealed among International Property Forum speakers

A former Deputy Prime Minister is among the list of names set to descend on Liverpool this summer for the International Property Forum.

Organisers of the event have revealed that Lord John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Hull East MP, will participate alongside Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein and Lindsey Ashworth, director of investment firm Peel Holdings.

Speakers at the forum, which comes as part of the International Festival for Business 2016 (IFB2016), will also include Melanie Leech, British Property Federation CEO; Andrew MacMillan, Heathrow Airport’s regulation economics and strategy director; Chris Taylor, Hermes Real Estate CEO; and Cllr Jack Brereton, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

UK Property Forums CEO Matthew Battle said: “The International Property Forum will provide a platform for people in the property sector to hear some of the UK’s most relevant and influential leaders debate and discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

“We’re particularly pleased to be welcoming a high-profile delegation of senior investors from the Chinese city of Chengdu, who will be providing a not-to-missed overview of the region and the investment opportunities available to UK businesses.”

He added: “Our conference programme will provide fresh, stimulating and thought-provoking content from specialists across the public and private sector, all against the vibrant backdrop of the world’s biggest business festival.”

Elsewhere, the International Property Forum will feature a City Leaders Debate with participation from, in addition to Sir Howard Bernstein, the chief executives of city councils in Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds,

Ian Pollitt, assistant project director of Peel Holdings’ multi-billion pound Liverpool Waters development, commented: “Prioritising future major infrastructure projects in the UK, public-private partnerships, investment in the Northern Powerhouse, the EU Referendum are among the many hot topics of the day all of which will impact on the sector.

“For this level of debate to be taking place here in Liverpool with its continuing excellence in regeneration suggests to me, not only how far we have come as a city, but also how vital it is for Peel, with our massive Liverpool Waters and Liverpool 2 projects, to be part of the conversation.”