Preston Partnership #InTheCity event | November 20

Join us for Preston Partnership’s November #InTheCity event, an opportunity for members and guests to meet and help shape the future of Preston.

We’ll be meeting at the stunning Harris Museum, which has recently reopened following its £19m refurbishment.

Our events provide a unique forum for members to:

• Engage in meaningful discussion around regeneration and economic development in Preston
• Discover upcoming projects and initiatives shaping the city’s future
• Network and build relationships over coffee and croissants in an inspiring setting

Date: Thursday November 20, 2025 | 8am to 10am
Location: Harris Museum (first floor), Preston

Agenda (speaker biographies below)

• Coffees, croissants and conversations (8am)
• Welcome (8.30am) – John Chesworth, chair, Preston Partnership
• Preston regeneration update from Cllr Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building Preston City Council
• New in Preston: The first in a new Q&A series with a business leader bringing something new to Preston – Carl Fraenkl-Rietti, operations director, Mad Giant
• The Preston debate: Our guest panel discussing what’s next for Preston – panel: Cllr Wise; Carl Fraenkl-Rietti; Gaby Ingham, Vault Youth Zone; John Bridge, Studio John Bridge.
• Update from Preston Partnership
• Networking (9.50am)

Registration details

• Member tickets: Free (members have received a code via email)
• Non-member tickets: £35

Book your place via our Eventbrite page here.

Not yet a PP member? Join Preston Partnership for just £100 per year and be part of shaping the city’s future.

Become a member here.

Speaker biographies

Gaby Ingham, The Vault

Gaby is head of fundraising and communications at Vault Youth Zone, a £11.8 million space opposite Preston Bus Station, supporting young people across the city. She’s passionate about creating places where young people can grow, meet mentors, and feel part of a community. She works with local businesses, community leaders and philanthropists to build partnerships that create opportunities and strengthen the city.

John Bridge, Studio John Bridge

Studio John Bridge is an architectural practice founded in 2014 by award-winning chartered architect John Bridge. Renowned for its innovative approach, the studio blends design excellence with a strong commitment to sustainability, community impact, and modern construction methodologies.

Recent successes include securing planning permission for the regeneration of Preston’s Harris Institute, a significant step in heritage-led design, and the co-designed Foxton Youth Centre, developed in partnership with young people from Avenham.

Cllr Valerie Wise, Preston City Council

Councillor Wise is Preston City Council’s labour member for Fishwick and Frenchwood, and the council’s cabinet member for Community Wealth Building.

She was the leader of Preston City Council between 1994 and 1995 and chair of the Women’s Committee from May 1982 until 1986, the first women’s committee in UK local government.