Good ideas were offered at an event on how to move forward and develop the transport and logistics sector in the East Midlands, by guest speakers including D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Chairman Peter Richardson.
The event for transport and logistics professionals and those involved with the sector – held this afternoon (October 5) at the Skyways Hotel, East Midlands Airport – was organised by the Institute of Couriers and chaired by IOC Chairman Carl Lomas.
It featured a range of expert speakers looking at the sector’s future needs around skills, driver shortages, local statistics and applications of new technology.
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership lists transport and logistics as one of eight key economic sectors it is keen to grow in its area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The D2N2 LEP is a partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and others which is committed to growing the local economy and creating sustainable jobs.
As opening guest speaker for the event, D2N2 Chairman Peter Richardson (pictured below at today’s event) spoke of the importance of transport and logistics to the area’s economy and gave an overview of the LEP’s strategy for growing it.
Key recent actions taken by the D2N2 LEP to address the transport and logistics sector’s needs include on:
- Making careers in the transport and logistics industry more attractive to younger people – Funding D2N2 Skills programmes, such as its Provider Charter and Employability Framework, to build strong links between Transport and Logistics firms, and schools and colleges.
- Promoting innovation and lower carbon technologies – D2N2 is investing £13.6m in the £200m Infinity Park Enterprise Zone, which will be the home of the new £11.8m Derby Innovation Centre, housing new Logistics consultancy Enscite – co-created by D2N2 partner the University of Derby.
- Tackling increasing road congestion – Through its Local Growth Fund allocation D2N2 is investing millions in area road improvements, including a third of the cost of the £7.5m Seymour Link Road, linking Markham Vale Enterprise Zone to junction 29a of M1.
- Supporting businesses in dealing with regulation – D2N2’s Better Business Regulation service, part of its wider Growth Hub services, runs frequent events to bring companies and licensing authorities together.
Representatives from companies and organisations involved in transport and logistics at the event also included from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Clydesdale Bank Plc, System Training, the University of Derby; and logistics companies from the D2N2 area such as Nelson Distribution, JC Balls and AIM Commercial Services.
For more information about the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s work in promoting and developing the transport and logistics sector see web link HERE
Media wanting further information about the work of the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Officer Sean Kirby on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
