New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre is to host a major national conference as part of the International Festival for Business.
This year’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Manufacturing Summit will be held on 19th June, as part of the International Festival for Business, taking place throughout June and July.
The invitation-only event will welcome leading UK advanced manufacturers, North West small and medium-sized enterprises and representatives of Government, to discuss progress in implementing the Government’s Industrial Strategy and the current challenges facing the sector.
There will also be stands showcasing the best of North West manufacturers, alongside UKTI, technology and development and Manufacturing Advisory Service representatives.
Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council and Chair of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “We are excited to be able to host this important conference, bringing the best of North West manufacturing to the fore and providing businesses and industry leaders with the opportunity to make their case to government.
“Our ambitious plans for the Enterprise Zone, for the planned Automotive Supplier Park, and around the development of the offshore wind industry in Wirral are going to be central to driving growth and aspiration, one of our key corporate activities.
“The City Region is welcoming the International Festival for Business at a crucial phase of our regeneration activities, and the event will highlight the huge opportunities that are on offer for local, national and international businesses, as well as showcasing the region for prospective investors.
“The Floral is a fantastic venue for the Summit, and I will be making the case for Wirral and for the wider region as part of the International Festival for Business.”
Guests will be able to engage directly with ministers and other senior officials from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills at pre-booked workshops and plenary Q & A and panel discussions.
Robert Hough, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said “I am delighted to welcome the Manufacturing Summit to the Liverpool City Region. Manufacturing makes a £3.2bn contribution to the City Region economy and supports 49,000 jobs. The area is home to internationally renowned manufacturing companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Pilkington, Ineos and Unilever as well as a host of high growth and innovative companies like Sigmatex, BAC Mono and Redx Pharma.
“The City Region has modernised its manufacturing base and has developed an industry that is now vibrant and which can be globally competitive.”
Last year Secretary of State Vince Cable came to the Liverpool City Region to launch “Making It”, the Liverpool City Region strategy for Advanced Manufacturing.
Making It was a collaboration between the LEP, University of Liverpool, John Moores University, the region’s six Local Authorities and over 50 representatives from industry, to identify growth opportunities for the region.
Robert Hough said: “Vince Cable announced in October of last year during the Making It launch that Government would bring the Manufacturing Summit to the Liverpool City Region during IFB and we are delighted to see this come to fruition. We have worked closely with our partners in Wirral and Liverpool Vision to accommodate this event and it is a great opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of our manufacturing community and its future potential for growth.”
Max Steinberg, Chair of IFB 2014, said: “I was delighted to learn that the Government has chosen Wirral to host this summit, with manufacturing being one of the key themes for IFB 2014 and many important events taking place throughout IFB. The City Region’s manufacturing sector is very strong already, and this summit is a vital step in helping to ensure that we maintain and build upon that position.”