Clear evidence now points to the kinds of companies and organisations that will prosper in the global future facing the UK. This conference was held to understand which investments in people and organisational models will provide the drivers of growth and competitiveness that bring the UK out of the current downturn and sustain profitable, competitive edge companies and cities in the coming decades. The conference was for company directors and business development strategists, business advisers, investment groups and bankers as well as the policy community from research, university, city, local, regional and national government economic development organisations. The conclusions of the Work Foundation “Knowledge Economy Programme” with lessons for those working on business strategy, growth of cities, the future focus of HR, and business leadership models were presented.