Brian Groom These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Join journalist-author Brian Groom for a provocative and wide-ranging conversation about Britain’s regional identity, the legacy of its industrial past and how the story of the UK’s nations and regions may illuminate our collective future. Groom argues that our understanding of Britain must move beyond London-centric narratives: the fortunes of the North, Scotland, Wales and the Midlands are central to the story of change, innovation, crisis and renewal.In this talk, he will explore how the regions shaped Britain’s modern world—from the rise of industrial cities and waves of migration, to the cultural reinventions of recent decades—and why they matter for understanding social, economic and political futures. With both historical depth and journalistic sharpness, Groom will show how the challenges faced by the regions reflect national themes of inequality, identity and transformation. Expect insights, anecdotes and a rallying-cry for recognising the power of place.Groom draws out the untold stories of Britain outside the South-East, revealing how regional history shapes both our present and our future. His storytelling is widely praised for making “the big national questions” vivid by examining them at the local scale, bringing depth and immediacy to issues often seen only through a London-centric lens. For anyone interested in how Britain became what it is today—and where it might be heading—this session offers fresh perspectives, sharp insights and genuinely stimulating discussion.Brian Groom grew up in the North of England and built a distinguished career in journalism. He spent nearly three decades at the Financial Times, where at various times he held senior editorial roles. He is the author of the best-selling book: Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day (2022), a sweeping exploration of the North of England, and Made in Manchester: A People’s History of the City That Shaped the Modern World (2024). Now living in Saddleworth, Groom brings both journalistic immediacy and historical breadth to his work.A Q&A Session will follow.