As part of our ongoing work to understand the political and policy landscape affecting Cemex, Dan Mann, Cemex UK Corporate Affairs Manager, attended a Grayling North panel discussion exploring the implications of Andy Burnham’s first month as Prime Minister and what his leadership could mean for the North and the wider UK.

The event brought together a strong panel of speakers, including Arooj Shah, Chair of Labour’s National Constitutional Committee, Henri Murison MBE, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Joshi Herrmann, Founder and Editor of Mill Media, with Grayling’s Alice Newsham chairing the discussion.

The conversation focused on how political power is shifting across the UK, the growing influence of regional voices, and the opportunities and challenges this presents for businesses operating across the country’s towns and cities. Discussions around devolution, economic growth, infrastructure and the relationship between national and regional government were particularly relevant to Cemex, given our extensive operational footprint and role in supporting the UK’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

For the Corporate Affairs team, attending events such as this is an important part of ensuring we remain informed about emerging political priorities and policy trends. These insights help us to engage effectively with government, elected representatives and stakeholders at both national and local levels, while ensuring Cemex continues to play a constructive role in these conversations.

Building relationships across the political and stakeholder landscape is a key part of our approach, and opportunities to hear directly from policymakers, thought leaders and commentators provide valuable context that strengthens our engagement activity.

A sincere thank you to the Grayling North team for the invitation and for hosting such an insightful and thought-provoking discussion.