GFirst LEP calls on businesses to shape growth plans for Gloucestershire

On our second anniversary today, we marked the occasion at the Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham to show the business community and public sector how we will help shape plans to make Gloucestershire a world class place to live, work and invest.

In partnership with local businesses and the public sector to help Gloucestershire flourish and grow, we were delighted to hear a personal video message from the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise that endorsed the work of GFirst LEP.

To an audience of over 200 delegates, Diane Savory, Chair of GFirst LEP and former Chief Operating Officer of SuperGroup, said: “GFirst LEP is led by business, for business – I want to thank all those who have worked with us to help grow Gloucestershire in the last two years. The energy, expertise and commitment of the business community, county and district councils, colleges and universities have been invaluable.” “The responsibilities and powers of LEPs are increasing, creating an exciting opportunity for action on our region’s specific business priorities. The continued involvement and enthusiasm of local firms will be critical over the coming months as we work closely together to develop ambitious plans for growing Gloucestershire. We’ll be using all of our existing business networks and creating additional channels to ensure businesses can help shape these plans.”

GFirst LEP’s Chief Executive David Owen said: “We have had fantastic success over the last two years in bringing together the business community with the public sector to make change happen on the ground.” “Gloucestershire is leading the agenda on boosting UK high streets; small businesses now have better access to information on funding from banks; and more than 300 GL Ambassadors are sharing their passion for growing Gloucestershire, opening new doors for firms across the county. These are just a few examples of successes to date. All of our work is designed to inspire growth, helping firms to overcome the challenges to growing their business, and breaking down barriers to the creation of new jobs.”

At the event, the LEP announced headline figures about the county’s economy, including: • Gloucestershire is ranked first in the country, alongside London, for having the greatest proportion of employees in export intensive industries. • In the last 9 months, nearly 4,000 start-up businesses were successfully launched across the county. • The three year business survival rate in Gloucestershire is greater than any other county in England, except Cumbria.

Awards were presented to local business leaders who have excelled as GL Ambassadors in providing support and advice to other businesses and young people: • Paul Fong, Managing Director of Hunter Page Planning Ltd. • Ian Selwood, Managing Partner of Randall & Payne. • Beth Whittaker, Director of Viva Communications. • Qing Lin, Director of Join In China. • Darren Stevens, Managing Director of Prestbury Marketing & Consulting Ltd. • Chris Isaac, Creative Director of Isaac Partnership Ltd.

If you would like to download our annual report or are interested in becoming an Ambassador, then please visit www.gl-am.com/annualreport. You may also be interested to see an in-depth video interview between Ian Mean and Diane and David about GFirst LEP which is on the South West Business website and features in today's business supplement in The Gloucestershire Echo and The Citizen.