LEP Conference to Address Business Priorities

BUSINESSES from large multi-national companies to sole traders and start-ups are being asked to share their key priorities during a conference held by the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The conference, which is being organised by Destination Basingstoke on behalf of the partnership, is an opportunity for representatives from businesses within the Enterprise M3 LEP to provide insight and direction for the new local enterprise partnership.

The free breakfast event will take place from 8am to 10am on Tuesday April 5 at the Princes Hall in Aldershot and businesses are being asked to register their interest to attend.

Just last month Enterprise M3 was approved by the Government as a LEP - a new-style partnership that will work across the north Hampshire and north west Surrey area, bringing together major companies, other businesses and business representatives with the local councils, universities, colleges and other public services making decisions that affect the area’s economy.

The LEP covers the areas of Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, New Forest, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester in Hampshire and Guildford, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking in Surrey, working across traditional boundaries to make a real difference to the people who live and work in the area.

Since the Government announcement, two business and industry leaders have been chosen to help establish the new Enterprise M3 local enterprise partnership and drive forward its benefits for the local economy.  Geoff French, of URS Scott Wilson, was appointed the interim chair and John Copley, of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, the interim vice chair. Formal appointments to the Enterprise M3 board will be made following the breakfast conference.

Interim Chair Geoff French said: “We want our LEP to be as effective as possible as quickly as possible and to achieve that we need the active involvement of the businesses in our area. I would encourage all businesses to send a representative to this initial conference for the Enterprise M3 LEP.”

Businesses wishing to sign up to attend the breakfast conference on Tuesday April 5 should visit the website at www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk . Businesses wanting further information about the LEP or wanting to get more involved should see www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/LEP  or contact Natalie Wigman, Business Relationships Manager at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 01256 845692 or email Natalie.wigman@basingstoke.gov.uk .