Ribble Rivers Trust have teamed up with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership at two of their recent conferences. For the first time the annual Lancashire Enterprise Partnership conferences gave delegates the chance to plant trees for their businesses. To date, donations through the LEP will enable the planting of 105 trees in Lancashire.
The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Annual Conference outlines a positive future for the Lancashire economy
Laying the foundations and setting new horizons for Lancashire’s economy was the theme of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) annual conference. This years conference took place at the Crow Wood Hotel in Burnley and attracted over 150 delegates attended the event. The conference welcomed an array of speakers who reflected on the last year and the challenges associated with the pandemic as well as looking forward to some of the exciting opportunities which are emerging through national policy agendas and game-changing projects. All of which will have a positive impact on the county over the next decade and beyond.
Sarah Kemp, Chief Executive Officer of the LEP said;
”Whilst Covid-19 was naturally very challenging for businesses in Lancashire, and indeed the rest of the country, many of our businesses have demonstrated incredible resilience and entrepreneurial flair during these unprecedented times. Indeed, three years’ worth of innovation happened within just three months of the pandemic. This is phenomenal and shows the fighting spirit which is prevalent in the county. It will enable us to achieve our growth ambitions.
”The LEP’s conference was a celebration of what can be accomplished during adversity and by working in partnership. It provides the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past 18 months, and also to highlight the considerable opportunities for economic growth which are emerging for the county and from which our businesses and residents can benefit.
”Challenges remain and will do so for some time. However, since its inception ten years ago, the LEP has worked with partners and industry leaders to lay the foundations to address these challenges and secure the future success of Lancashire’s economy.”
Debbie Francis OBE and Chair of the LEP added;
”The aim of the conference was to generate excitement and positivity as to what can be achieved by taking a collaborative and partnership approach to increasing economic prosperity. Lancashire has a wealth of capabilities and expertise. We need to ensure our businesses and residents have the necessary knowledge and skills to capitalise on opportunities such as the Net Zero agenda, as well as transformational projects such as Eden North. It was brilliant that the Chief Executive of Eden International, David Harland, was able to attend the conference.
”These truly are exciting times for Lancashire, which as a county has so much to offer. Whilst we have made good progress over the last ten years. Although the effects of the pandemic are still very much prevalent, especially in sectors such as tourism and hospitality, Lancashire continues to punch below its weight. But we are on the cusp of change. We have laid the foundations by investing over £350m to help partners deliver capital and infrastructure projects, as well as backing business support agencies such Boost and the Lancashire Skills Hub. The positive impact of these are now emerging. Over 19,006 new jobs have been created or safeguarded and nearly 5,000 SMEs supported with their growth ambitions.
‘Whilst these are fantastic achievement, I believe that the best is yet to come. By working with partners and businesses, I am confident that we can build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous region by setting new horizons for Lancashire’s economy.’
As part of the LEP’s commitment to contributing to climate change and in the lead up to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, delegates made donations to the Ribble Trust’s Lancashire Woodland Connect campaign. This campaign aims to more than double the woodland coverage in Lancashire.
Further donations are welcome and can be made by clicking here.
Lancashire plant trees businesses. Lancashire plant trees businesses planting trees.
