Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, joined fellow LEP leaders at a meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street today (January 31).
The Council of LEP Chairs met to talk about economic growth in their areas and took the opportunity to have a valuable dialogue with the Prime Minister. The meeting focused on the UK Industry Strategy – the Government’s plan to boost national productivity by backing businesses to create jobs via investment in skills, industries and infrastructure – and how LEPs will tackle the grand challenges set out in that Strategy, within their own regons, via LEPs’ individual Local Industrial Strategies.
D2N2 LEP Chair Elizabeth Fagan is pictured above (fourth from right) with LEP Chairs outside 10 Downing Street.
The Prime Minister heard from business leaders representing each of the LEPs across England; including South East Midlands LEP Chair, Dr Ann Limb CBE,on the development of Local Industrial Strategies.
The Council also updated the PM on their ongoing engagement with businesses and rural communities, and discussion around the latest business intelligence from across the country ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU.
The Prime Minister, Theresa May, said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships have a vital role to play in delivering our modern Industrial Strategy.
“Working closely with Government, their leadership is helping make sure businesses thrive as we prepare to leave the European Union.
“I was pleased to hear directly from LEP representatives how they are bringing together the local business community, universities and other partners to design long-term, ambitious plans tailored to the strengths and needs of their areas.
“Using their unique insight and expertise to co-develop Local Industrial Strategies, LEPs are boosting economic growth, securing jobs and delivering prosperity – making sure that no community is left behind.”
Co-chair of today’s meeting and Chair of the South East Midlands LEP, Dr Ann Limb CBE, added: “LEP leaders were pleased to talk to the Prime Minister today about the impact that Local Industrial Strategies will have on productivity and economic growth in our respective areas, and confirming that we are all on target to deliver them on schedule.
“LEPs are uniquely placed to build economic growth and productivity in our areas, and to exploit the vast business expertise in finding solutions to the four ‘grand challenges’ we all face and to tackle the foundations of productivity identified in the Industrial Strategy. Today’s meeting also allowed LEP business leaders to discuss how local businesses in their area are responding to, and preparing for, the UK’s exit from the European Union.
“This is the second meeting of the PM’s Council of LEP Chairs and firmly establishes the central role LEPs have in leading economic growth in their areas and the valuable dialogue with the Prime Minister that this council brings.”
D2N2 attended the inaugural Council of LEP Chairs’ meeting with the Prime Minister in June 2018. CLICK HERE for more information.
Further information about the D2N2 LEP can be obtained from D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
