Businesses invited to LEP conference October 21

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is inviting business people from throughout the area to its annual conference on Friday October 21.

The event, at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre, near Stone, ST15 0NL, will be an opportunity to hear first-hand from the businesses and organisations driving innovation, skills and economic growth across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and to celebrate progress on the LEP’s aims of delivering jobs and growth.

Keynote speakers include well-known Staffordshire business leader Steve Burgin, vice president Europe of GE Power. Born in Chesterton, Mr Burgin began his career in power engineering as a student apprentice with what was then GEC in 1975, and is a passionate champion of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire as a place to do business. Also speaking will be Dave Atkinson, UK head of manufacturing, Lloyds Banking Group, who will be giving an overview of the current economic climate and the opportunities and challenges ahead for business.

The conference will be introduced by LEP chairman David Frost CBE, who will also conclude the morning with a round-up of the LEP’s achievements to date in boosting growth, creating jobs and raising skills levels in the local economy, and its ambitions for the future. There will also be presentations from Cllr Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cllr Abi Brown, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and from some of the LEP board members leading on the delivery of a range of innovative projects benefitting our area.

“The Enterprise Partnership is now in an exciting period where we are seeing substantial projects taking shape and being successfully completed, which is very good news for jobs and growth,” David Frost said.

“The launch of our Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone in Stoke-on-Trent and north Staffordshire this year is creating international interest, we have a range of other major employment sites ready for businesses at locations including Liberty Park, Lichfield, Meaford, near Stone, and Four Ashes, south Staffordshire, and we have new skills hubs now operational across our area which are starting to make a real impact on raising skills levels in crucial science and technology subjects.

“We are very keen to hear the views of our local businesses at our annual conference so we can continue to maximise the benefits of economic growth for everyone in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

“The morning will include ample opportunities to put questions and discuss issues with LEP board members, as well as networking with other businesses.”

The conference, which is free to attend, runs from 9.15am to 12.30pm, followed by lunch and networking, and is open to representatives from all businesses throughout Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and to organisations working with the business community.

If you would like to attend please contact LEP office manager Julie Frost with your business details by emailing julie.frost@staffordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01785 719002, or if you would like more information please contact communications manager Alison Thomas by emailing alison.thomas1@staffordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01785 719003.