Join the Big Debate on the Midlands Engine
The Midlands Engine for Growth could transform the economic landscape of the Midlands region.
Now the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is inviting people and businesses to have their say on the subject, and on some of the other big issues of the day.
The LEP will stage a series of Big Debates throughout 2016 and the first of these – a discussion about the Midlands Engine – will take place on Wednesday 4th May.
‘The Big Debate: Greater Lincolnshire at the Heart of the Midlands Engine for Growth’ will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Lincoln between 8am and 10.30am.
“Your LEP doesn’t just want to tell you about what’s happening – we also want you to be part of the discussions, and we’re keen to hear your views,” said Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
“In 2016 we will also be staging a number of Big Debates to discuss important topics, including the agri-food sector as well as the Midlands Engine.”
After an introduction by Ursula Lidbetter, Midlands Engine Director David Sharif will address the audience and Councillor Colin Davie from Lincolnshire County Council will lead a panel discussion with representatives from the business community.
The area covered by the Midlands Engine was set by government in 2015 and includes 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships across the Midlands.
The ambitions of the Midlands Engine are to grow the economy, close the productivity gap, improve skills, create jobs, connect towns and cities more effectively, compete in global markets and attract foreign investment.
One of the key priorities is to improve the supply chain by developing and implementing a multi-sector staged approach to improving operational performance and competitiveness in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, rail and nuclear.
Successes for the Midlands Engine to date include:
• securing £180m for the Energy Research Accelerator
• establishing a £250m European fund to provide financial support for the SME growth ambitions of the Midlands
• winning a bid to undertake a Science and Innovation Audit to assess the region’s capabilities and opportunities for innovation excellence
• launching the first Midlands Engine Pitchbook at MIPIM in March 2016 offering a wealth of investment opportunities
Breakfast is included. To book your place send an email to enquiries@greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk.
Look out for more details about future Big Debates, which will focus on topics such as the agri-food sector in Greater Lincolnshire.
Notes to Editors:
• The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a private and public sector partnership led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
• One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming, tourism and engineering.
• It includes North and North-East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire and is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
• Visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk for more information.
• For information about the existing Growth Deals for Greater Lincolnshire visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/funding/growth-deal
For media information please contact:
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star
01522 528540
07780 735071
jez@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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