A high-profile panel of senior business figures from some of the UK’s most respected firms has been announced as part of the Great South West Partnership’s upcoming Annual Conference, set to take place on 13 September at Sandy Park, Exeter.
A high-profile panel of senior business figures from some of the UK’s most respected firms has been announced as part of the Great South West Partnership’s upcoming Annual Conference, set to take place on 13 September at Sandy Park, Exeter.
The panel will bring together five senior business leaders to explore critical issues facing the UK economy and the South West’s role in driving national growth: Julia Goldsworthy, Head of Social Impact Investment, at Legal & General; Hugh Milward, UK Vice President, External Affairs at Microsoft UK; Asif Rehmanwala, CEO of Ecotricity and Green Britain Group; Dave Tansley, South West Regional Chairman and UK Board member at Deloitte; and Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK.
The panel will be moderated by Daisy McAndrew, broadcaster and former Chief Political Correspondent at ITN.
Panellists will discuss business expectations from the new Government at a national level, opportunities for the UK to secure international economic leadership, and strategies for the South West to capitalise on emerging economic prospects.
Asif Rehmanwala, CEO of Ecotricity and Green Britain Group, said: “I am delighted to be on the panel and looking forward to the event. The recent change in Government gives renewed optimism to the green economy and the pathway to net zero. The South West can play a significant part in that transition by creating and participating in investable opportunities in collaboration with the UK’s world-class industries.”
This business panel adds to an impressive lineup of speakers at the prestigious event which has a conference theme centred on ‘Delivering for the UK’ , including a keynote from a Cabinet Minister, leading figures from the Great South West Board and South West businesses, plus newly elected MPs from the region, who will be discussing how we make Westminster work for the South West.
The event aims to spotlight the South West’s critical role in driving economic growth across the country, with a focus on the region’s energy, defence, and food production, which are set to play a critical role in delivering the UK’s future security.
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership, emphasised the region’s unique position: “The South West’s unparalleled mix of clean energy production, defence capabilities, and agricultural expertise gives us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a pivotal role as the UK, and the world, shifts to a net zero economy.”
The conference will bring together national and regional business leaders, MPs, government officials, university leaders, and experts to discuss the South West’s £65 billion economy and its potential for future growth and investment.