A Downing Street spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister began by thanking the Local Enterprise
Partnership (LEP) Chairs for their valuable contribution
to business and innovation in the UK developing skills,
delivering infrastructure, and securing investment.
She noted the steady growth of the economy in recent
years and the record levels of employment, crediting this
progress to the joint efforts of LEPs, Government and
private sector entrepreneurs in driving growth across the
country.
Co-chair Mike Blackburn OBE, Chair of Greater Manchester
LEP, praised the strong track record of delivery seen
from LEPs so far. He welcomed the enthusiasm of the
Chairs and the opportunity to build on the success of
recent years by furthering the close collaboration
between LEPs and government, particularly in delivering
the modern industrial strategy across the country.
Guests discussed the particular strengths that LEP
business leaders bring to the table, including their
ability to broker new partnerships and connections, their
importance in delivering the objectives of the industrial
strategy within their communities, and their role in
fostering strong collaboration between local
institutions, individuals and government.
Attendees also reflected on recent successes such as the
HS2 College in Doncaster - supported by Sheffield City
Region - which is equipping local young people with the
skills they need to build our future railways.
Attendees agreed that LEPs have a particularly important
role to play in connecting the business and educational
sectors. They emphasised the value of the partnerships
LEPs bring in helping to enable people of all ages to
develop the modern skills that our businesses require to
thrive.
Welcoming the government’s ambitious technical skills
agenda, they also praised the opportunities for local
innovation that the industrial strategy has launched.
Looking ahead, the business leaders considered key growth
areas for the UK economy, highlighting the example of the
medical technologies sector as an area where LEPs can
help drive this expansion.
There was also discussion around the LEP review,
announced as part of the modern Industrial Strategy last
year. It was noted that it would be an opportunity to
identify where government can strengthen and support LEPs
further in their work across the country.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring
that LEP leadership truly represented the communities
they served, pointing to the progress made in the number
of women on FTSE100 boards as an example to follow.
She also noted that this council will serve as a regular
occasion for Chairs of LEPs to come together and talk
openly about how they can work more closely with
government to achieve shared aims.
The Prime Minister concluded by reflecting on the
opportunities ahead to maximise the convening power of
LEPs in delivering the modern industrial strategy for
all.
