South West’s economic role spotlighted at major conference in Exeter

Hundreds of delegates attended the sold-out Great South West Partnership conference
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


National and regional leaders showcased the economic importance of the South West to the UK and the new Government at a major conference in Exeter earlier this month.

Senior business leaders, industry experts, newly-elected MPs and political figures including keynote speaker Sarah Jones, Minister of State for Industry, came together at the event to spotlight why the region matters in driving UK economic growth.

The sold-out conference of more than 500 delegates, delivered by the Great South West Partnership and compered by national broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, offered an opportunity to hear about the new government’s plans, and how the South West is poised to deliver for the UK economy.

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Mrs Jones said: “This Government’s mission is economic growth, and that means removing barriers to the innovation, skills and potential that I saw in abundance in the South West.

“We all need to work hard to get the structures right nationally, regionally and locally to unlock potential and drive investment.

“From Somerset’s new gigafactory for electric vehicles to the mining renaissance in Cornwall, the South West is a vital economic engine for the UK and will play a huge role in our mission to net zero. ” A business panel featuring industry heavyweights Hugh Milward, vice-president of Microsoft UK, Ecotricity chief executive Asif Rehmanwala, Dave Tansley, Deloitte UK South West & Wales senior practice partner, Julia Goldsworthy, Legal & General’s head of social impact investment, and Innovate UK executive director Dr Stella Peace spoke on the opportunities of the region’s world-class energy, defence and food sectors in driving national and international investment and delivering the UK’s economic security.

They also discussed how the region can work with the Government to maximise these opportunities.

A panel of MPs discussed the importance of the Great South West to the Government’s agenda, and how stakeholders can raise the profile of the region in Westminster.

The panel included Exeter MP Steve Race, chair of the Great South West All-Party Parliamentary Group.

He said: “The Great South West Annual Conference was a brilliant opportunity for 500 people from business, politics and academia to meet from across our region to discuss our challenges and opportunities.

“As chair of the cross-party Great South West Group of MPs, it’s my job to help us all to make the case for our region. To do that, we need to speak with one voice, to showcase our strengths and to fight for attention and investment.

“Our four counties are leaders in the sectors that are critical to the future success of the whole country – from farming and agri-business, to cutting edge science and innovation, to defence, and the second largest concentration of industrial manufacturing in the country, we have a central role to play. There is a lot here, and a lot to build on.

“As MPs, we’ll work together to get the best for our individual constituencies, and also for the whole region, ” said Mr Race.

Karl Tucker, chair of the Great South West Partnership, added: “This conference facilitated vital discussions setting out the role the region is set to play in delivering the country’s security, resilience and prosperity, based around its critical role in food, energy and defence.

“It’s clear that now is the time for the new government to seize the opportunities for the South West to help to secure national economic growth and security. ” Ms Jones also took time to meet businesses specialising in cutting-edge technology and innovations at Exeter Science Park while she was in the region.

She talked to people from several high-tech companies, including Zeal Hotels, Oxi-Tech, Vivax Metrotech, Theta Technologies and Attomarker, businesses which are all at the forefront of technological innovation, leveraging advances in sectors such as clean technology, digital infrastructure and medical diagnostics.

Sally Basker, chief executive of Exeter Science Park, said: “The opportunity to host Sarah Jones was invaluable, allowing us to present just a small selection of the companies delivering groundbreaking work from their Exeter Science Park labs and offices. “These innovations are helping to shape the future of industries and improving lives through technological advancement. ”