Coventry & Warwickshire LEP courts advanced manufacturers in growth plan

MANUFACTURING and engineering companies in Coventry and Warwickshire are being courted by the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership as it looks to finalise its long-term growth plan.

The LEP is eager to explain to firms how they can benefit from a new initiative designed to build on its successful City Deal bid.

The LEP has created a Clearing House as part of its City Deal strategy, with the aim of helping advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses grow and create more jobs.

The Clearing House provides access to advisors on key matters relating to business support, access to finance, planning matters and contacts related to employment requirements and skills as well as providing links to government organisations and services.

Around 100 firms are expected to participate in an event today organised by the LEP and Coventry City Council where further details of the scheme will be outlined to businesses.

Dr Richard Hutchins, LEP board member and LEP skills champion, said the meeting had been organised in the wake of Cities Minister Greg Clarke’s approval of the City Deal last month.

“The CWLEP, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and district councils have recognised that the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry is a vital cog in the area’s future growth and it was the core theme of our successful City Deal bid,” he said.

“It is a cutting-edge sector because of its innovative, high-profile work and the fact world-class businesses such as Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and BMW are based in the area which all helps to make a major contribution to our economic performance and enhancing our national and international reputation.

“We now want to bring businesses connected with the sector together to find out more about the City Deal and how its services can help grow their companies further.”

Martin Yardley, chief executive of the LEP, said the fact over 100 companies had committed to the meeting reflected the interest of the business community.

“The City Deal is designed to stimulate the economy, initially in the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector, by improving skills, innovation, productivity and creating jobs and it is an important aspect of our future plans to grow the area’s economy,” he said.