The final preparations are underway for Enterprising Cumbria’s Economic Summit.
More than 350 business leaders and delegates have signed up to attend the event on Tuesday 3 December, 9.30am - 4.30pm, at the Keswick Pencil Factory.
Organised with support from Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, it will focus on the emerging Cumbria Economic Strategy.
Conference Host is Phil Laycock.
The agenda for the event has been confirmed and includes the following speakers:
- David Beeby, Chair of the Enterprising Cumbria Growth Board.
- Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer.
- Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Jonathan Brook.
- Ben Lucas, Founding Director, Metro Dynamics.
- Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact and Investment Director, Legal & General (pre-recorded).
- Isobel Brown, Programme Director, Enterprising Cumbria.
- Mark Cropper, Chair, Kendal Futures.
- James Harrison, Shadow Board Chair, Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster.
- Mark Goldstone, Policy Manager - UK Competitiveness, CBI.
There will also be panel discussions looking at attracting investment into Cumbria and what devolution can bring to Cumbria. Panellists include:
- Andrew Seekings, Cumberland Council’s Chief Executive.
- Sam Plum, Westmorland and Furness’s Chief Executive.
- Alex Gardiner, Director, Metro Dynamics.
- David Levene, Director, The NP11.
- Camille Walker, National Hydrogen & CCUS Inward Investment Specialist, DBT.
The Chair of the Cumbria Economic Growth Board, David Beeby, said:
“We are delighted with the response to the event. We have had more than 350 delegates signed up to attend. It will be Enterprising Cumbria's first major event and will be an opportunity to discuss the exciting, and challenging, times ahead for Cumbria.
“A new Economic Strategy is being prepared which will form the platform for economic priorities and actions. This event will provide an opportunity for our business community to part of the conversation and will ensure their needs are front and centre of the strategy and our future activities.”
The Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, added:
“It is important that our strategic partners and stakeholders get the opportunity to input into the final Cumbria Economic Strategy. Their opinions matter and we need their knowledge and expertise to drive forward inclusive growth in our region.”
Cllr Jonathan Brook, the Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, added:
“The summit provides a platform for our business community to ensure their needs are front and centre of a new economic strategy.
“There is a great opportunity, through the unprecedented investment coming to our area, to benefit people and communities across the county.
“We are at the forefront of some of the most high-tech sectors, such as nuclear, decarbonisation, clean growth and innovation, and we very much look forward to hearing what businesses and other stakeholders believe is important in enabling us to capitalise on this.”
The Summit will also include a series of facilitated breakout sessions.