The breakfast event on Tuesday April 5 is being organised by the new Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to give business representatives the chance to provide insight and direction for the new partnership.
Just last month, the Government approved Enterprise M3 as an LEP - a new-style partnership that will work across an area covering parts of Hampshire and Surrey, bringing together major companies, other businesses and business representatives with the local councils, universities, colleges and other public services making decisions that affect the area’s economy.
The LEP covers the areas of Rushmoor, Hart, Surrey Heath and Waverley, as well as Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester in Hampshire and Guildford and Woking in Surrey. It works across traditional boundaries to make a real difference to the people who live and work in the area.
Since the Government announcement, two business and industry leaders have been chosen to help establish the new Enterprise M3 local enterprise partnership and drive forward its benefits for the local economy. Geoff French, of URS Scott Wilson, was appointed the interim chair and John Copley, of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, the interim vice chair. Formal appointments to the Enterprise M3 board will be made following the breakfast conference.
Geoff said: “We want our LEP to be as effective as possible as quickly as possible and to achieve that we need the active involvement of the businesses in our area. I would encourage all businesses to send a representative to this initial conference for the Enterprise M3 LEP.”
The free breakfast conference is being organised on behalf of the partnership by Destination Basingstoke and will take place from 8am to 10am. Businesses who would like to attend are asked to register their interest at www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk .
Businesses wanting more information about the LEP or to get more involved should see www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/LEP or contact Natalie Wigman, Business Relationships Manager at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 01256 845692 or email Natalie.wigman@basingstoke.gov.uk .