Cumbria LEP joins Lord Mayor of London at Business and Industry Dinner
The Lord Mayor of London, Vincent Keaveny hosted a Business and Industry Dinner last week at the Mansion House. The themes for the dinner were ‘people and purpose’, investing in a better tomorrow, with the Lord Mayor proposing that business will continue to flourish based on a strong history of innovation and by industry and Government working together.
Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Cumbria LEP (CLEP) was joined by Sarah Swindley and Nigel Wilkinson, CLEP private sector business representatives, at the event, which explored how the UK could remain globally competitive. Businesses in attendance from across the country also confirmed their support for the people of Ukraine.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, and the President of the CBI, Lord Karan Bilimoria, provided the keynotes. Kwasi Kwarteng focused on net zero and the enhanced role of nuclear in the Energy Security Strategy, with Lord Bilimoria outlining the long history of business innovation and how this could help address the multiple challenges that businesses are currently facing. Lord Bilimoria also reminded the Secretary of State of the need for investment needed by business to deliver economic growth.
Lord Inglewood, Chair of Cumbria LEP said: “It was an excellent evening, providing the opportunity for business and Government to explore how we can work together to deliver economic growth and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of innovation.”
He added “The commitment that Kwasi Kwarteng made on the role that nuclear will play in energy generation, going forward, was welcome given Cumbria’s skills and expertise. The formation of Great British Nuclear is something that we have been asking for since 2018.”
Sarah Swindley, Chief Executive Officer, Lake District Foundation, said: “It was a great event with the guest speakers providing insight on some really important issues, including how we can move towards net zero.”
Sarah went on to say, “The Secretary of State’s update on the Energy Security Strategy emphasised the need to have secure and affordable energy and at the same time move forward with net zero.”
Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director, Winander Leisure Limited, said:
“The event really lived up to the theme of people and purpose. Everybody in attendance was committed to the purpose of extending innovation in their local communities and wanted to share ideas with other attendees.
“We already know that there is opportunity to explore how Cumbrian businesses can better benefit from innovation opportunities, which will be explored at CLEP’s Innovation Workshop at 2.00pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022. I would strongly encourage business colleagues to attend.”
Futamura, RAICo and M-Sport will be sharing their innovation journey at CLEP’s Innovation Workshop alongside policy experts providing the latest on innovation thinking.
Businesses interested in attending this online webinar can register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QDP9gy-YTTaTLlIYII4WkQ