The last of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s 2017 series of Business Breakfasts was held this morning (November 28), at The Derbyshire Hotel in South Normanton.
Each year D2N2 – 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 Business Breakfasts. They are seen as a chance to update businesses on past successes and consult them on future plans.
Six Business Breakfasts were held this year, from mid-October to today. The events were held at the BioCity Discovery building in Nottingham, The Oakham Suite in Mansfield, the Derby Silk Mill, The Pump Room at Buxton Crescent, Worksop’s Best Western Lion Hotel and today’s event at The Derbyshire Hotel (PICTURED). Both the new BioCity Discovery life sciences building and the current Buxton Crescent renovation project have received significant funding from D2N2 via its Local Growth Fund allocation.
Each event featured guest business speakers, an overview of recent D2N2 activities and future plans from the LEP’s Chief Executive David Ralph or Chair Peter Richardson OBE, and a talk from a senior D2N2 officer on their area of expertise; for example European funding, the D2N2 Growth Hub’s help for small and medium-sized businesses or investment in infrastructure needed for economic growth.
This year the Breakfasts were also used to engage businesses in the consultation on ‘refreshing’ D2N2’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP); the blueprint setting out how D2N2 will develop its area’s economy in the future. The 2013 SEP is being revised to reflect changing economic conditions.
Today’s event at The Derbyshire Hotel featured speakers D2N2 Chair Peter Richardson; guest speaker Isobel Brown, Interim Programme Director for the Midlands Engine; Sajeeda Rose, D2N2’s Senior Manager for Growth Deal and Capital Programmes; and the LEP’s Growth Plan Manager, Matthew Wheatley.
More than 250 delegates booked to attend this year’s 2017 D2N2 Business Breakfasts series.
For more on the events see D2N2’s Twitter feed at @D2N2LEP and the hashtag #D2N2BB2017
Media wanting further information about the D2N2 LEP can contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Manager, on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org