Andy Burnham to open keynote session at 2026 Biba Conference

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham will be joining the first keynote session at this year’s Biba Conference in May.

Burnham will then participate in the subsequent session, a fireside chat event led by broadcast journalist and conference host Kay Burley.

Biba said that Burnham would provide insight on topics including “where he sees the opportunities in the region, his calls on government and how Manchester will capitalise on innovation to deliver jobs and drive growth”.

The three-term mayor – elected in 2017, 2021 and 2024 – previously served as the member of parliament for Lough, holding ministerial positions at the Home Office, Department of Health and the Treasury.

In 2008 he was appointed as a cabinet minister, working as the secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

Warm welcome

Burnham is not the only politician to make an appearance at the conference. In 2019, Biba named Boris Johnson as its closing speaker.

And during his speech, Johnson publicly threw his hat into the ring for the Conservative leadership.

Speaking about appearing at the conference later this year, Burnham said: “The Biba Conference is a major event that delivers a significant positive impact to Greater Manchester’s local economy and we’re ready to give a warm welcome to delegates again this year.

“As well as being an outstanding location to host events at this scale, Greater Manchester is home to the largest professional and financial services sector outside London, which has played a key role in us becoming the UK’s fastest growing city region.

“I’m looking forward to joining discussions on the key issues facing the insurance industry and the wider economy.”

Graeme Trudgill, chief executive at Biba, said that it will be “great to welcome Burnham back to the Biba Conference”, which is scheduled for 13 and 14 May.

“Much has changed in politics and the economy since he last addressed Biba delegates onstage in 2022, so it will be fantastic to hear his updated plans and objectives for Manchester, our long standing host city for the Biba Conference,” he added.