Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is to reveal the next stage of its blueprint for developing the county’s economy.
It will detail its plans for the future at its “Mid-Term Conference” on Friday, November 9, in The Pitch View Suite at Worcester Warriors Stadium.
The aim will be to outline its on-going activities and achievements, to launch the LEP’s new Business Plan and its new Website, and to identify where the LEP and its partners will invest in the Worcestershire economy.
Hosting the half-day event, billed ‘The Outlook Is Bright’, is ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson who will introduce “Worcestershire’s long range business forecast”.
She will be joined by a panel of speakers including Worcestershire LEP chairman Peter Pawsey, David Frost, chair of the National LEP Network, Lorraine Holmes, chair, Manufacturing Advisory Service, and chief executive of West Midlands Manufacturing Consortium, Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest and food producer Miranda Ballard of Muddy Boots Foods.
Miranda demonstrates that businesses have not only survived but have grown in Worcestershire during the recession, having moved back to the County in 2008 to launch a brand of burgers produced from top quality, ethically farmed, British beef. Based at Martley, Worcestershire, the operation now produces an average 9,000 burgers a week, selling at farmers markets and to High Street stores such as Waitrose, Ocado and Budgens.
Mr Pawsey said: “We want to thank so many people for their commitment to the LEP and for providing their time and effort in helping grow Worcestershire’s economy. This is about fostering the well-being of business people and realising the fantastic assets of the County.
“The LEP continues to be extremely busy, we have many initiatives in progress, and we will be outlining our on-going activities and achievements to date at the Conference.
“But we want to take the Partnership to a new and exciting level and we shall be explaining how we intend to do that with the launch of our Business Plan, which we hope will spark wide-ranging interaction and dialogue between all involved including heads of local businesses and strategic business organisations.
“It is crucial we engage with them, encouraging their participation based on their needs and requirements, discuss how they might interact with others to boost their businesses, and suggest what they might bring to the table.
“It is about encouraging belief in ourselves. The LEP is about being the ‘gel’ – facilitating connectivity, developing partnerships and cohesion … being a catalyst. We want the world to know that Worcestershire is a great centre for business.”
Choreographed by professional conference organiser Rose Padmore, the programme takes in interactive survey sessions and panel interviews.
A live Twitter feed will allow those unable to make the conference to pick-up up on key “conversations”.
Registration and networking start at 8.00am, with the Conference opening at 8.45am , with a 12 noon conclusion and call to action.
For programme information and to register go to: www.eventelephant.com/wlepbright