A vision to forge the South West as the UK’s “natural economic powerhouse” has been launched. A partnership of firms based in the region, as well as business enterprise groups, and local authorities - under the banner of ‘the Great South West’ - is looking to promote the region’s marine, energy, environmental, technological and agricultural sectors.
It is hoped the initiative, which has secured £1.5m in backing from the government, can highlight how the area can become a “world leader” in sustainability and a “major contributor” to the UK economy, alongside other regional projects such as the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine.
More than a hundred business leaders, politicians, academics and community Leaders attended a launch event at the House of Lords in Westminster on Tuesday (January 10).
They heard how a major economic focus on the country’s ‘blue and green’ sectors could create tens of thousands of jobs and drive major investment into Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Among those in attendance were Judith Petts, vice chancellor of the University of Plymouth, Jeremy Wrathall, chief executive of mining firm Cornish Lithium, Anna Farthing, director at Bournemouth University, Adrian Bratt, director at luxury boat builder Princess Yachts, Julie Hawker, chief executive of digital firm Cosmic and Clive Higgins, UK chair of Somerset-based defence giant Leonardo.
Simon Jupp, chair of the Great South West APPG and MP for East Devon, said: “The greatest region in Britain now has a united vision and voice to help us reach our potential.
“The launch of the Great South West Partnership in the corridors of power in Westminster brought the region together to demonstrate the passion, drive, and determination we need to deliver for where we live. We have so much untapped potential to unlock new opportunities and jobs using our natural resources and world-class research to create a cleaner, greener future.”
Karl Tucker, interim chair of the Great South West Partnership, said: “Together, we have the potential to become a world leader in the blue and green aspects of our economy, strengthening our region’s clean growth and contributing to the country’s journey to net zero.
“This is a key moment in the journey of the South West, which is why we are delighted to set out the breadth and scale of our region’s blue and green opportunity in Parliament, as part of our work to gain further government support.”
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