Momentum York - York's Professional Services Conference
Join us for a dynamic half-day conference and expo bringing together York's professional services sector, industry leaders, and partners from across York for expert insight, practical discussion, and valuable networking opportunities.
When: Tuesday 23rd June 2026, 12-8PM
Where: Creative Centre, York St John University
Register your place free of charge
Agenda
- 12:00-1:30pm - Welcome and Expo (lunch provided)
- 1:30-2:30pm - It’s All York: updates on York’s major developments
- 2:30-3:30pm - Economic insight from Emma Wilks, HSBC
- 3:30-4:00pm - Break and Expo
- 4:00-5:00pm - Why York? Presentations and panel discussion
- 5:00-7:00pm - Refreshments and canapes, hosted by York Professionals
Meet The Speakers
Tom Gilman, Managing Director, McLaren Regeneration
Tom has been with McLaren since 2020 and leads the Regeneration business, focusing on urban renewal and aiming to positively impact on the social, cultural and economic challenges within urban areas. Tom brings significant experience which encompasses 30 years of property industry knowledge, with over 25 as a developer, delivering projects across the UK and covering all asset classes.
Ben Murphy, Head of City Development, City of York Council
Ben Murphy leads York’s City Development portfolio, overseeing strategic planning, regeneration, economy, and place‑making across the city. With a background in urban regeneration, place and programme management, he works closely with public and private partners to deliver sustainable growth, unlock investment, and shape a resilient future for York’s economy.
Max Reeves, Development Director, Helmsley Group
Max has successfully overseen a varied range of projects, from sensitively converting scheduled ancient monuments to creating large-scale new build developments. As Development Director at the Helmsley Group, Max is leading the Coney Street Riverside masterplan, an ambitious and transformative regeneration scheme in central York.
David Colthup, Chief Operating Officer, York Minster
David joined York Minster after a distinguished 30‑year career in the Army. Now Chapter Steward and Chief Operating Officer at York Minster, he oversees the cathedral’s complex daily operations and leads a multi‑disciplinary team across governance, security, visitor experience, heritage care, and more.
Garry Taylor, Director of City Development, City of York Council
Garry leads a diverse and transformative portfolio. Major projects include York Station Gateway and York Central, a flagship scheme unlocking 2,500 homes and significant business space. A Chartered Town Planner, he previously led Hull’s UK City of Culture 2017 transformation.
Emma Wilks, UK Economist, HSBC Global Investment Research
As one of Bloomberg’s consistently top‑rated forecasters, Emma offers expert, evidence‑led forecasting and analysis of the UK economy, drawing on a career spanning international finance, market strategy, and government policy to help organisations understand real‑world economic impacts.
Phil Clark, Managing Director, Say Yes
Phil is an eCommerce growth leader. Known within the industry as approachable and friendly with a wide industry knowledge across all facets of eCommerce, build and digital/retail operations. Founded by Sean Connell and Phil Clark, Say Yes was established to do something the market was missing: blend genuine technical expertise with creative brand thinking, strategic depth, and a client‑first culture.
Emma Whiting & Tiggy Clifford, Partners, Torque Law
Emma and Tiggy founded Torque Law in 2016 with a simple vision – to do things differently. Today, that vision has evolved into a nationally recognised, award‑winning force in employment law. Trusted by employers, in‑house legal teams and senior executives, Torque Law navigates the most sensitive and business‑critical employment law issues with strategic insight, professionalism and care.
Thom Feeney, Site Director & Operations Lead North, Patch
As Site Director at Patch York, Thom Feeney brings a passion for community building and local enterprise, creating an inclusive space where businesses, creatives, and residents can connect and thrive. His work centres on nurturing partnerships across York’s cultural and economic landscape, positioning Patch as a vibrant hub for ideas, collaboration, and citywide impact.
Meet The Exhibitors
What To Expect
- Hear directly from the leading developers transforming York, including York Central, Coney Street Riverside, York Station Gateway, Castle Gateway, and the York Minster Precinct.
- Gain insight into the city's economic performance with expert analysis by Emma Wilks, UK Economist at HSBC.
- Learn about the exciting work happening on your doorstep through presentations and a panel discussion with colleagues from across the sector.
- Build meaningful connections during the dedicated Expo and Networking sessions.
- Shape the future of the sector in York through post-event feedback that will directly influence the focus of the second event and local support services.
Join more than 100 professionals, exhibitors, and city and regional leaders for an afternoon of insight, inspiration, and meaningful connection, as we explore the developments, opportunities, and businesses shaping York’s professional services sector.
About Momentum York
York is widely recognised as a beautiful heritage city, celebrated for its tourism, hospitality, and retail offer. Less visible, but equally important, is its diverse, dynamic, and growing professional services sector.
Momentum is a new network that gives professional services organisations in York a platform to connect, learn, and grow together.
Our ambition is to:
- Bring together and mobilise a new professional services network in York
- Showcase the depth of expertise and innovation across our historic city
- Strengthen connection and collaboration between micro-firms and global companies
- Position York as a hub for professional excellence in the UK
Momentum York is delivered by York BID in partnership with York Professionals, York Business School at York St John University, HSBC, City of York Council, and West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, with vital funding support from David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
