GFirst LEP's 2022 in review

Look back over 2022 with us. Scroll through the photos to see.

"December is always a good time for reflection, and as this will be our last newsletter for 2022 we are looking back over a challenging past year to remember some of the highlights.

A huge thank you to all our board members, business group members, enterprise advisors and indeed all who fly the flag for Gloucestershire for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.

From all of us at GFirst LEP, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2023." - Dev Chakraborty, Deputy Cheif Executive of GFirst LEP.

 

Projects

We celebrated the launches of several GFirst LEP supported projects including Cirencester College's Digital Skills Centre, the completion of the West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme and Hartpury University and Hartpury College's Tech Box Park. 

View all GFirst LEP supported projects here.

 

Net Zero

This year, we hosted two large Net Zero focussed events including the first 'Gloucestershire Net Zero Conference.' In 2023, through our Growth Hub Network, we will continue to provide business owners with the support and information they need on their journey to Net Zero. 

 

Invest in Gloucestershire

It has been a successful year for our Invest in Gloucestershire team who fly the flag for the county on the international stage. The team have visited high profile events in Barcelona, San Francisco and Israel, and have also hosted orientation visits for investors in Gloucestershire. A highlight of the year was launching a new showcase video for Gloucestershire which you can view below.

 

Education and Skills

Our Education and Skills team have had a busy 2022 supporting EmpowerCyber with CyNam, Inspiring the Forest with the Forest Economic Partnership, CyberFirst Schools and Colleges, as well as launching a new Skills Strategy for Gloucestershire plus working with careers leaders across Gloucestershire's schools.

 

Made in Gloucestershire

In July, we launched our brand new initiative Made in Gloucestershire to support local food and drink producers and the hospitality industry. So far, over 75 members and 15 affiliates have joined the scheme. We look forward to working with more businesses in 2023 and encouraging everyone to buy and love local. To support local this Christmas, head to our website: www.madeingloucestershire.com.

 

GFirst LEP's Annual Review Event at Cotswold Airport

And of course, who could forget when we welcomed 200 guests on board the British Airways Boeing 747 ‘Negus’ at Cotswold Airport for our 2022 Annual Review!

On one of the hottest days of the year, David Owen, CEO of GFirst LEP took guests on a journey looking back over the past two years covering: Covid business recovery, The Growth Hub Network, Inward Investment and Levelling Up.

 

New GFirst LEP team members

Throughout 2022 we welcomed new team members to GFirst LEP: Kirsten MacDonald - Marketing Officer, Becky Tomkins - Careers Hub Lead, Phil Clement - Head of Inward Investment and Rachel Lenane  Manager Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund.