In a welcome return to the City, LeedsBID’s annual event will once again bring diverse guest speakers and hosts to explore thought-provoking and hot topics.
Taking to two stages at the Playhouse will be 39 speakers, 11 events and new host Jon Sopel. Jon will also lead the panel for ‘Who Does Our Political System Benefit?’ Over four decades, Jon has reported on global events, interviewed the famous and the some might say infamous, and is a household name for those of us who look for current affairs savvy.
Speakers this year include a number of international names, academics and performers – entrepreneur and business mogul Steven Bartlett, renowned British actor Christopher Eccleston, International drag sensation Bimini and bestselling author and comedian Ruby Wax OBE. They will be joined by other key names from across varying industries, including Davina McCall MBE, Will Young and Rob Rinder.
They will be joined on stage by several esteemed hosts, such as restaurateur and broadcaster Dame Prue Leith, who will lead a touching and personal panel on grief, and international broadcaster Naga Munchetty, who will be joined by Coinbase and the Bank of England to talk about cryptocurrency. The festival is also welcoming hosts Matt Baker MBE, Lisa Holdsworth, Charlotte “Lotty” Leeming, Louise Shorter, Anisa Morridadi and Cherry Healey.
Director of Brand and Innovation at Leeds BID, Martin Dickson, stated that “[LIFI23] brings together well-known faces, eminent authors, artists and subject matter specialists. Now in its third year, the Festival has swiftly established a reputation for displaying some of the most fascinating and thought-provoking concepts from around the globe, drawing visitors from all over the UK and beyond.”
There’s also a new collaboration with North Brew, and an exclusive new beer, boasting its own unique flavour and packaging from local talent. It will be served up at Leeds Playhouse for the duration of the Festival, and at all North Brew bars in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham, with the first pour taking place on 30th August. The vegan session pale ale is set to have aromas of lemon zest and freshly cut grass, bringing a note of vibrancy that balances against the juicy flavours of white peach and sweet mango. Collaboration has always been important to North, celebrating innovation and creativity within the local community and beyond.
LIFI23 is also proud to commemorate their valued sponsors. Weightmans and Bruntwood, leading organisations committed to supporting innovation and creative dialogue, have joined forces with the festival, underscoring their dedication to fostering intellectual curiosity and transformative ideas.
Whilst being dedicated to providing a voice to those passionate about the trying and thought provoking conversations of this generation, LIFI23 invites you to join them on a journey of reflection, discovery and innovation. With a selection of trailblazing performances, bringing together brilliant minds and powerful discussions, this year’s Festival is nothing short of impressive.
Though most events have sold out, there are still a limited number of tickets available on the LIFI23 website HERE.
Lifi23 Full List of Speakers and Events
| Date | Panel | Fireside Chat |
| Wednesday 27th Sept. | 7pm, When Will Women’s Health Be Taken Seriously? w/ Davina McCall, Dr. Christine Ekechi, Lauren Mahon, Cherry Healey, Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin and Kenny Ethan Jones | 7:30, A New Generation of Entrepreneurism w/ Steven Bartlett, Anisa Morridadi |
| Thursday 28th Sept. (afternoon) | n/a | 12pm, Invisible Rule of Law w/ Rob Rinder, Charlotte (Lotty) Leeming |
| Thursday 28th Sept. (evening) | 7pm, Could Living the Good Life Save Our Planet? w/ Matt Baker, Doug McMaster, Banjo Beale, Flavia Cacace and Clare Lewis | 7:30pm, A World Beyond the Binary w/ Bimini and Davina De Campo |
| Friday 29th Sept. | 7pm, What’s Our Obsession With True Crime? w/ Louise Shorter, Richard McMann, Coltan Scrivner, Gemma Whelan and Mark-Williams Thomas | 7:30pm, My Journey To Mindfulness w/ Ruby Wax, Sarah Powell |
| Saturday 30th Sept. (afternoon) | 2:30pm, Who Does Our Political System Benefit? w/ Jon Sopel, Tom Brake, Magid Magid, Amber Rudd, Scarlett Westbrook | 3pm, Other Side of the Coin w/ Naga Munchetty, Tom Duff Gordon, Sir Jon Cunliffe |
| Saturday 30th Sept. (evening) | 7pm, How Do We Talk About Grief? w/ Dame Prue Leith, Jamilla Hussain, Silvan Luley, Lucy Turner and Will Young | 7:30pm, Arts and Culture: For the Many or the Few? w/ Christopher Eccleston and Lisa Holdsworth |
All photography by Tom Martin. Images are taken from the LIFI 2022 as well as this year’s launch event.
