Cumbria's Local Enterprise Partnership joined the Lord Mayor of London, Vincent Keavney, to explore how businesses and the Government can work together to deliver economic growth.
The business and industry dinner, at the Mansion House last week, was attended by Lord Inglewood, chair of the Cumbria LEP, and was joined by Sarah Swindley and Nigel Wilkinson, CLEP private sector business representatives, as they looked to discuss how the UK can remain globally competitive.
Lord Inglewood 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.
"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," he said.
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 general tone and theme of the evening.
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Of which, 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.
Sarah Swindley, CEO of the 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.
"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," she said.
Nigel Wilkinson, managing director of 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 April, 26. I would strongly encourage business colleagues to attend," he said.
Businesses interested in attending this online webinar can register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QDP9gy-YTTaTLlIYII4WkQ
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