Tackling the new political landscape

Tom Riordan, the former head of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, will take part in a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Yorkshire under the new coalition government.

The debate is being organised by law firm DLA Piper and Financial Leeds, the publicly funded organisation set up to promote the professional services sector in Leeds.

Neil McLean, managing partner of DLA Piper in Leeds, said: "There has been massive change in the political and economic geography of the UK in recent months – and there is clearly more to come.

"Reductions in public spending, tax reforms and the proposed abolition of regional structures and introduction of local economic partnerships will affect us all, whatever side of the public/private sector fence we sit on.

"We believe there is a real appetite in the region to consider how these changes may generate new opportunities and challenges, and how we need to approach them.

"By bringing together key representatives from across the region and a panel of leading lights from the public and private sectors, we will create a challenging and interactive forum for discussion."

BBC political journalist Jon Sopel will chair the event at the Rose Bowl in Leeds on September 9.