The first of the 2017 series of free Business Breakfasts hosted by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership was held this morning (October 17) at the BioCity Nottingham site, in the city.
Each year D2N2 LEP – the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, higher and further education providers, community and voluntary services, and other organisations which promotes economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – hosts a series of free Business Breakfasts across its area. The events are a chance to update businesses on past successes and consult them on future plans.
Today’s event was held at the BioCity Discovery building, at BioCity Nottingham in Nottingham.
The £30million BioCity Discovery building officially opened this year (2017). Its principal funders were Nottingham City Council and BioCity, with £6.5m also provided through D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation (supporting infrastructure necessary for economic growth in the LEP’s area). Life sciences is one of D2N2’s eight key commercial sectors, those sectors where the area has or could create a competitive advantage.
The new 50,000 square foot BioCity Discovery building is expected to create upwards of 700 jobs over 30 years and safeguard a further 250, by creating additional space for established and start-up life sciences companies.
Today’s Business Breakfast heard from speakers:
- David Ralph, D2N2 Chief Executive, on the LEP’s recent activities and its ambitions to use a proposed HS2 high speed network line through its area to promote economic growth, as well as greater transport connectivity.
- Guest business speaker – Brendan Moffett, Chief Executive of Marketing NG, speaking about Nottingham’s bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023.
- Guest business speaker – Dr Glenn Crocker MBE, Chief Executive for the BioCity Group, on the BioCity Nottingham site and the new Discovery building.
- Matthew Wheatley, D2N2 Growth Plan Manager, on the LEP’s consultation to ‘refresh’ its Strategic Economic Plan – the current masterplan by which it pursues wider ambitions such as creating 55,000 jobs by 2023 (the majority to be in the private sector).
Tickets are still available for the five remaining D2N2 Business Breakfasts, to be held across the LEP’s area at different locations in November. These will be on:
- Thursday November 2 – The Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Rd, Mansfield.
- Guest business speaker – Billie-Anne Warriner, Founder and MD of Fosse Cashflow Solutions of Newark.
- Tuesday November 7– The Derby Silk Mill, Silk Mill Lane, Derby.
- Guest business speaker – Mary Maguire, joint Managing Director of Astute Financial Recruitment (with offices in Derby and Nottingham).
- Tuesday November 14– Buxton Pump Rooms, The Crescent, Buxton.
- Guest business speakers – James Berresford, Chair of the Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Heritage Trust, and University of Derby Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell.
- Tuesday November 21– The Best Western Lion Hotel, 112 – 114 Bridge Street, Worksop.
- Guest business speaker – Claire Monk, General Manager and Brewer of Welbeck Abbey Brewery.
- Tuesday November 28– Pavilion Room, The Derbyshire Hotel, Carter Lane East, South Normanton.
- Guest business speaker – Isobel Brown, Interim Programme Director for the Midlands Engine.
Tea and coffee, and breakfast rolls, will be provided for delegates at the events.
For online booking to attend the five remaining free D2N2 Business Breakfasts, go to the D2N2 website Events page www.d2n2lep.org/Events Alternatively contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Manager, on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
See more about the events on Twitter at @D2N2LEP and follow the D2N2 Business Breakfasts hashtag #D2N2BB2017
Media wanting more information on the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
