The Minister for Climate Transition has called for more joined-up thinking between businesses, researchers, landowners and government to address climate risks.
Speaking at an event at Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, Katie White OBE MP stressed the importance of integrating climate risk management into economic growth strategies.
She said that getting better at managing climate risk was not an alternative to growing the economy – instead, it could grow the economy by creating the right conditions for growth and investment.
Leeds is an extraordinary city, one of Britain's great financial centres, home to brilliant universities, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.
The Minister was welcomed by Professor Nick Plant, who hosted the event alongside Duncan Mackinnon, Executive Director for Supervisory Risk Specialists at the Bank of England.
Katie White said: “Leeds is an extraordinary city, one of Britain's great financial centres, home to brilliant universities, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. We helped power the Industrial Revolution, and we're shaping Britain's future.
“Let's build more of the partnerships we're seeing in Leeds. More of that joined-up thinking between businesses, researchers, landowners and government. Share what works, challenge us on what doesn't, and help shape our next National Adaptation Programme. We'll support research, share lessons and help connect the people who can turn ideas into action.
“None of us has all the answers. But we have extraordinary expertise in this room, and we have a shared interest in protecting the things on which growth depends.”
Her keynote speech was delivered to more than 100 delegates at the Climate Risk Management: Meeting the Requirements of SS5/25 event.
In December 2025, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published SS5/25, setting out updated supervisory expectations for banks and insurers in relation to the identification, assessment, management and governance of climate-related financial risks.
Genuine knowledge exchange
Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, said: “This event demonstrated the importance of genuine knowledge exchange in tackling complex challenges such as climate-related financial risk.
“Bringing together expertise from climate science, modelling, regulation, academia and financial services created valuable opportunities to share perspectives, challenge assumptions and explore how research can inform real-world decision-making.
“It was fitting that the event was hosted at Nexus, a space designed to connect businesses, researchers, innovators and policymakers to foster collaboration and drive real-world impact.”
Noelita Ilardia, Head of the Climate & Sustainability Division at the Bank of England, said: “We are pleased to contribute to this important event, bringing together expertise and perspectives on climate science.
“These insights help deepen our understanding of climate risk and what it could mean for the financial system.”
Further information
Image credit: Mark Bickerdike
Photo caption: Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, University of Leeds; Dr David Wilkinson, Climate Lead, Supervisory Risk Specialists, PRA, Bank of England; Katie White OBE MP, Minister for Climate Transition; Professor Jason Lowe OBE, Chair in Interdisciplinary Climate Research, Priestley Centre, University of Leeds; Professor Iain Clacher, Pro Dean – International, Leeds University Business School; Duncan Mackinnon, Executive Director, Supervisory Risk Specialists, PRA, Bank of England.
For further information, please contact Becky Pascoe in the University of Leeds press office on r.pascoe@leeds.ac.uk