Insider’s Loughborough Economic Forum is being held on Weds 20th October, and is intended to be an opportunity for the business community in the area to listen to and question those behind the big issues which will affect the county’s economic future.
Insider’s economic debate road show arrives in Loughborough in October, where a panel of business leaders will debate the challenges and opportunities that the town faces in front of an invited business audience.
Panel to include:
- Mike Chambers, Finance Manager & Director, 3M Health Care
- Angus Laing – Dean of Business and Economics, Loughborough University
- Neil Etherington, associate partner, Rothera Dowson
- David Hughes, Chief Executive, Prospect Leicestershire
- Paul Jenkinson, Regional Manager - East Midlands, Connect Midlands
Date: Wed 20th October, 2010
Venue: Loughborough University, Stephensons Lecture Theatre, Denis Rooke Building, Holywell Park, Loughborough, LE11 3GR
Loughborough is the main town in Charnwood and has become a major centre for advanced technology, being particularly strong in engineering, health care & pharmaceuticals and energy research & development, and underpinned by one of the country’s leading universities. However, the town faces challenges. The withdrawal of Astra Zeneca means 1,200 highly-skilled jobs will be lost, and the challenge for Loughborough now is to keep the skills and expertise in the region.
One way of doing this may be from spin-out companies moving into Phase 2 of Loughborough Science Park. Outline planning consent has been obtained for the development of Phase Two (7.85 hectares). Just under 34,000sqm of new commercial floor space will be developed to provide a range of 2, 3 and some 4 storey buildings. Development begins in 2011, once a development partner has been confirmed.
A substantial pipeline of potential occupants for Phase Two is being incubated at Loughborough Innovation Centre on the University campus. Since it opened in 2002, the Centre has helped 80 innovative companies to prosper; a quarter of which have already graduated into larger premises. The Centre can accommodate up to 40 companies and houses a number of the University's spin outs.
Insider’s Loughborough Economic Forum will examine the strong links between local businesses and the university, as well ask the question: what next for Loughborough, post-Astra Zeneca?
Insider’s forum is intended to be an opportunity for the business community in the area to listen to and question those behind the big issues which will affect the county’s economic future.
This is a free event and we expect demand for places to be high. As such we will take acceptances on a strictly 'first come, first served' basis. Please click here to access the reply form and complete it as soon as possible if you would like to attend. Please contact Lianne Sunderland at lianne.sunderland@newsco.com if you require any further details.
If you are interested in sponsoring this or any other Insider event please contact Adrian Simcox at adrian.simcox@newsco.com
Timings for this event are as follows:
- 7.30am - Registration and breakfast
- 8:00am - Meeting commences
- 9.00am - Approximate close
Guests are invited to remain behind after the formal close for coffee and networking.
