Two hundred and fifty business leaders have come together to shape the role of the new local enterprise partnership in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a business-led group which aims to attract investment to the area and push its interests on a national and international stage.

Today’s event at Keele University saw representatives from small businesses, large companies, voluntary sector organisations and the public sector coming together to find out more about the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). This included how the group would be shaping the future of business success and how their organisation could be involved.

After introductory speeches by Chairman of the LEP Jim Rickard and shadow board members, a lively question and answer session followed.

LEP Chairman Jim Rickard said the event had been a resounding success.

“To have 250 delegates attend our first event is fantastic and shows that we can take Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire forward and bring together the expertise and enthusiasm seen here today.

“It was great to introduce the LEP to the organisations which will help to make it work and set out its aims. It was also encouraging to hear what people had to say during the question and answer session as this will help us immensely.

“We successfully responded to the Government’s calls for the formation of local enterprise partnerships, which was a major step. Sixty-two bids were submitted from around the country, and we were among 24 who were given the green light at the end of October.

“Now we’re ready to take the LEP forward and ensure its success and bring investment to our area. I hope today’s event encourages more organisations to get on board.”

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP was formed after a successful bid to Government in the autumn. Two hundred and fifty business leaders gathered today to help to shape the role of a new group which will lead the county’s economic drive.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a business-led group which aims to attract investment to the area and push its interests on a national and international stage.

Today’s event at Keele University saw representatives from small businesses, large companies, voluntary sector organisations and the public sector coming together to find out more about the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). This included how the group would be shaping the future of business success and how their organisation could be involved.

After introductory speeches by Chairman of the LEP Jim Rickard and shadow board members, a lively question and answer session followed.

LEP Chairman Jim Rickard said the event had been a resounding success.

“To have 250 delegates attend our first event is fantastic and shows that we can take Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire forward and bring together the expertise and enthusiasm seen here today.

“It was great to introduce the LEP to the organisations which will help to make it work and set out its aims. It was also encouraging to hear what people had to say during the question and answer session as this will help us immensely.

“We successfully responded to the Government’s calls for the formation of local enterprise partnerships, which was a major step. Sixty-two bids were submitted from around the country, and we were among 24 who were given the green light at the end of October.

“Now we’re ready to take the LEP forward and ensure its success and bring investment to our area. I hope today’s event encourages more organisations to get on board.”

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP was formed after a successful bid to Government in the autumn.