First Friday Returns in Wakefield: 7th March 2008

7th March 2008

The opening first Friday of 2008 – will take place at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield, on 7th March 2008 at 12 noon. Guest speaker at the event will be Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Yorkshire and Humber

As Minister for Yorkshire and Humber, Caroline has been actively transforming and building the District, drawing on her contacts in the government to support our local businesses. She has also been tackling education and employment issues in the District, and has been responsible for pushing a number of legislations through their parliamentary stages.
 
Adding to her role as Minister for Yorkshire and Humber, Caroline is Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions, having previously been Minister for Public Health at the Department of Health. Before this, she was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office from June 2003 to May 2005, responsible for reducing organised and international crime, anti-drugs co-ordination and international and European issues.
 
Prior to becoming a Minister in June 2003, Caroline was Chair of the All Party Childcare Group, which she founded; and was a member of the House of Commons Administration Committee and is a keen advocate of modernisation of Parliament. She served on the Education and Employment Select Committee from 1997-99.
 
In 2003, she joined the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, committing to 29 days of work with the army. As part of the scheme, she visited Iraq in June 2003, to see the security and reconstruction work of HM Forces.
 
Mohan de Silva, first’s Chief Executive said:
 
“We are delighted that Caroline will be kicking off our new season of first Friday events for 2008. I am certain that Caroline will be able to give valuable insights into the challenges facing Government in their bid to enhance the nation's workforce, as well as of the importance of working 'smarter' in a changing global economy.”
 
first Friday attracts delegates from local and regional companies and offers a fresh approach to business networking and local economic regeneration, as well as illuminating insights from high profile guest speakers, a Q&A session and an excellent lunch.