Greg Clark visits GFirst LEP at The Growth Hub

Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities, Greg Clark visited GFirst LEP and the University of Gloucestershire today, to hear more about the exciting projects that will help to create up to 5000 jobs and generate up to £40 million in public and private investment for Gloucestershire.

During a tour around The Growth Hub, Mr Clark had the opportunity to hear how the Government’s investment is being used order to grow Gloucestershire’s economy.

After visiting the Blackfriars area of Gloucester in the morning, Mr Clark met with David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst LEP, alongside GFirst LEP Board Member Neill Ricketts, Stephen Marston, Vice Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire and members of The Growth Hub and GFirst LEP staff.

Mr Clark learnt about how the Gloucestershire Growth Deal will continue to provide innovative business services through The Growth Hub, in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, and also how the University is working with local businesses to encourage product and service innovation. He also heard about the GREEN project, a world-class centre of excellence for STEM training, through a partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, and the delivery of some key transport projects across the county, including the M5 corridor.

Greg Clark’s visit comes hot on the heels of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg formally signing the Growth Deal for Gloucestershire this month; an agreement with the Government which will see £62.5 million invested in the county.

Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, said:

“It is great to visit The Growth Hub which benefited from £12.1 million from the recent Gloucestershire Growth Deal, and see first-hand how this innovative centre is driving growth across the region. The Growth Deal that was signed for Gloucestershire will create at least 5000 local jobs, drive growth and improve infrastructure in the region.

By passing powers from Whitehall back to the people of Gloucestershire, we are ensuring that local growth is driven by the people who know the region best.”

David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst LEP, added: 

“We were delighted to welcome Greg Clark to the county today; we were able to demonstrate the amazing work that has already been achieved with the Growth Deal funding, whilst touring The Growth Hub, and discussing other exciting projects. We can really see the confidence that Government has in us to grow Gloucestershire’s economy, and after receiving the full amount of funding requested, £62.5 million, we can carry on growing the county, whilst continuing to work closely with our partners on future opportunities.”  

Stephen Marston, Vice Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, said:

“The strength of the partnership between the University and GFirst LEP is what makes The Growth Hub unique. The type of growth we want to promote in Gloucestershire is high-skill, knowledge-intensive, and high-value added.  That means the University has a critical role to play in working with the LEP, and businesses, to identify businesses with high growth potential and support them to achieve that potential.  The Hub will also help to bring business into the classroom, integrating the work of Business School with The Growth Hub so that all of our programmes are distinctive for intensive business engagement that builds student employability. We’re really pleased to have been able to demonstrate this to Mr Clark today”.    

The visit follows the signing of the Gloucestershire Growth Deal on 9th January by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, which was part of a £12 billion long-term Government programme to revitalise local economies. As part of the Government’s on-going commitment to LEPs, it was confirmed in the Autumn Statement that there will be further funding from 2016/17 onwards.

For more information about GFirst LEP and the Growth Deal, please visit this page.