Member Article

Thames Valley Berkshire LEP hold business show

The Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Berkshire Media Group (BMG) have hosted the ‘Collaborating for Growth Business Show 2012.’

Over 500 Thames Valley businesspeople visited the show where they had the opportunity to network with their peers, hear from speakers, attend apprenticeship workshops and meet some of the 80 local businesses attending.

Steve Lamb, chair of the TVB LEP, delivered a keynote speech on the state of Thames Valley Berkshire’s economy.

Mr Lamb said: “The Collaborating for Growth event was a huge success. “The speaker sessions were highly motivating and there was excellent support and participation from local organisations across the region.

“We were delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with so many businesses to demonstrate how they can help boost the local economy by getting involved with regional initiatives such as developing the skills and education of our young people, improving transport infrastructure to Heathrow airport and widening access to superfast broadband across the region.”

Businesses and attendees were encouraged to sign up to a number of initiatives, delivered by the TVB LEP.

Theses included Skills and Education, as the LEP is working to improve ‘work-ready’ skill; The Western Rail Access to Heathrow campaign, that aims to ease transport and connectivity for growth of the local economy; and Superfast Berkshire, as the LEP is working with the six Berkshire unitary authorities to widen access to superfast broadband.

The event was co-sponsored by SEGRO, and partnership development manager, Neil Impiazzi, said: “The inaugural Collaborating for Growth Business Show was extremely well attended and had a great buzz - you could feel the vibrancy of theThames Valley echoing throughout the event. SEGRO continues to invest heavily in the region and we look forward to next year’s event.”

Helen Barnett, Marketing Manager at Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, commented: “We were delighted to sponsor the Business Show, which provided a fabulous platform for Berkshire businesses to connect with each other and receive some expert advice via the speaker sessions.

“For us, it was a great opportunity to remind businesses what Bracknell has to offer and answer the many questions that people have about the area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .