North West Economy Practitioners Network - 8 June 2011

On 8 June 2011 the North West Economy Practitioners' Network met at the Gujarat Hindu Centre, Preston to discuss 'where next with the Enterprise and Business Support agendas?'

Major changes have been taking place in the enterprise and business support agenda, including delivery of business link and inward investment and Start Up Britain.

At the same time NWDA transitional arrangements are being put in place; LEPs are clarifying their priorities and delivery arrangements; and new funds have been introduced to support business growth.

This interactive round table session looked at some of these changes and explored what this means for Local Authorities and LEPs.

Ian Hamilton - Assistant Director, BIS North West provided a national and North West perspective on Start-Up Britain, Business Support and Inward Investment. Many of these policy areas have changed recently and implications are still being worked through.

Richard Jeffery - Director of Business Growth, Economic Solutions looked at Greater Manchester's approach to business support. He also focussed on the NWDA regional transition arrangements for enterprise and business support. Richard's slides are attached in related documents.

Andy Leach - CEO, North West Fund - showed how his organisation will be supporting business growth and how local authorities and LEPs can help. The North West is the leading area in the UK on business finance and there is now a consistent and structured offer throughout the region. Andy's slides are attached in related documents.

Aidan Manley - Managing Director, Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance gave his views on business support issues from his LEP perspective. There is a need for clarity when referring to local structures - the LEP Boards, the wider LEP Partnership and the Executive Support are all different with different roles to play.

The network meets on a quarterly basis and if you would like to be added to the mailing list contact keithp@nwemployers.org.uk 

For view other Local Economy Network meetings for both Practitioners and Councillor browse the other sections in the Media Libarary.