It’s good to grow: Shropshire Economic Partnership takes off for 2023
The Shropshire Economic Partnership (SEP)’s inaugural board meeting took place on Thursday 13 April in Shrewsbury.
The board, formerly known as Shropshire Business Board, and the economic taskforce, co-created Shropshire’s economic growth strategy last year, and discussed its role and influence across the county, and how it can support local business, strategic locations and employment and skills in Shropshire.
Shropshire Economic Partnership logo
Comprised of representatives from the public, private, education and voluntary sectors, the board was set up to convey a single business voice for Shropshire, champion growth and sustainability for the business community, and put Shropshire firmly on the map as a county to invest, grow and do great business within.
The economic growth strategy focuses on a three-stage process: firstly, an immediate restart following the heights of the pandemic, followed by short-term revitalisation for the county, and finally, a long-term growth strategy which can contribute to creating a healthy economy for Shropshire.
The board will take an active role in concentrating on the most important local issues affecting businesses, and will oversee preparation to create an action plan, review existing projects and funding opportunities, and review its own performance against a stringent monitoring process which looks at indicators such as productivity, wages, investment, homes, and jobs in Shropshire.
The board will meet again in May 2023, and later in July to complete and commit to the action plan. Outside of meetings, board members will network across their nominated sectors to ensure the board is in tune, and representative of the Shropshire business community.
Lezley Picton, Leader of the Council, and Chair of the SEP, said: –
“Yesterday was a great opportunity to formally introduce the partnership and be really clear about what we’re collectively trying to achieve for the benefit of the county.
“The board is made up of experts from virtually every corner of Shropshire in terms of sector, industry and even geography, so we’re really hoping the partnership will be a space where opportunities are unlocked, and businesses feel empowered to grow to their fullest potential.”
Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth, regeneration and housing, shared:-
“Considering the current turbulent and challenging economic environment, it’s no surprise that the health of our economy is the upmost, non-negotiable priority to us as a partnership.
“The SEP will be a fundamental vehicle in this mission, and I’m excited to see how the action plan can start to make a real difference to businesses in Shropshire in the short term, and through to 2027, as the economic growth strategy outlines.
“As a group of businesspeople, we know what Shropshire has to offer as a destination for business, and so the partnership will continue to work with our current businesses to allow them to prosper here, and hopefully, welcome new businesses and organisations into our county too.”
Jeannie McGillivray, former Shropshire Business Board Co-Chair, CEO of Shrewsbury-based software development company, Remote, and Deputy Chair of the SEP, said:-
“The inaugural meeting of the SEP marked a pivotal moment from which the incredible background work required to create this opportunity for Shropshire will take flight in 2023.
“The Board brought together the best thinking from cross-sector experts across the county to champion growth and sustainability for the business community.
“With a clear focus on long-term economic growth, this partnership will be fundamental in creating a healthy economy for Shropshire as we navigate the current turbulent economic conditions and beyond.
“The board will concentrate on important issues local businesses face and work towards creating an action plan that makes a real difference to businesses in Shropshire.
I’m excited to see the partnership unlock opportunities and empower businesses to grow to their fullest potential.”
