Ranvir Singh to host Convention of the North 2025 in Preston

• Good Morning Britain presenter and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) chancellor, Ranvir Singh, will host the sixth annual Convention of the North this February.
• Singh studied a postgraduate degree at UCLan before taking on roles at BBC North West Tonight and BBC News 24.
• She is now Political Editor of Good Morning Britain and has been chancellor of the university since 2017.
• The two-day event will take place in Lancashire on February 27 and 28 at County Hall and UCLan in the centre of the Preston.
• The event in Preston follows previous Convention of the North events held in Rotherham, Gateshead, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
• Last year saw more than 800 delegates come to Leeds and participate in the development of the Manifesto for the North.

Ranvir Singh has been announced as the host of Convention of the North 2025 in Preston.  

Taking place at County Hall and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on February 27 and 28, the 2025 event will bring together business, community, academic, and political leaders to discuss how they can address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the North of England.

Singh was born in Preston and studied a postgraduate degree at UCLan before embarking on a storied career in journalism and broadcasting.

For years she was co-host of North West Tonight alongside Gordon Burns and has been political editor of Good Morning Britain on ITV since 2012, as well as an occasional host of Lorraine.

Since its inception in 2018, Convention of the North has been a pivotal forum for fostering collaboration across sectors.

Previous conventions have been held in Leeds, Gateshead, Rotherham, Liverpool, and Manchester, each building on the momentum to create a "powerful, unifying voice of the North."

For the 2025 iteration of the Convention, there will be a particular focus on skills and innovation.

Lancashire, as the host county, will use the platform to highlight its strengths—not just as a vital player in the North but as a region delivering solutions that have a national impact.

Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said:

“Hosting the Convention of the North in Preston is a moment of pride for Lancashire. This is our chance to show how our skills, innovation, and determination are driving economic growth and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

"With Ranvir at the helm, we’re ready to demonstrate Lancashire’s leading role on the national stage.”

This year, the discussions will be crucial in the post-election period, where it is essential for the North to present a clear, coordinated, cross-party agenda to the new government.

Clare Hayward MBE DL, Co-Chair of the Convention, said:

“The Convention of the North is now a landmark annual event for those interested and invested in the region.

“We are defining and creating our future by committing to a spirit of collaboration, focusing on our priorities to help close the UK’s productivity gap and using the dividends of devolution to unlock the region’s full potential for sustainable, healthy and inclusive growth.” 

Registration for the event has opened today.

Keynote speakers and the full programme will be announced later this month, promising an exciting and impactful agenda.

For more information visit Convention of the North