Academic facilities key to attracting investment into Worcestershire says LEP
THE University of Worcester’s National Pollen & Aerobiology Research Unit together with similar facilities are forming a crucial role in helping to attract inward investment to the city, the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership has said.
The academic facility hosted a visit by its chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, where he received a briefing from the Worcestershire LEP on the efforts it is making to increase Worcestershire’s appeal to investors.
Peter Pawsey, executive chair of the LEP, said: “We were pleased to update His Royal Highness on the positive work being undertaken by Worcestershire LEP. I was particularly gratified that we could emphasise the very important efforts being made by our working groups towards achieving the LEP’s stated strategic objectives.
“All of our efforts are directed to ensuring that Worcestershire becomes recognised as the place to invest, work, live and play.”
He said the Duke had been particularly interested to hear about the successful development of a major Anaerobic Digester Plant by Evesham Vale Growers, near Fladbury.
“The plant is uniquely exporting both electricity and gas to the respective national grids. The role that such plants can play in solving the country’s energy needs, particularly in rural areas, is important and HRH welcomed news that a further plant is shortly to be constructed in the county,” he said.
The LEP’s four strategic working groups are responsible for: National Profile & Promotion, Access to Finance, Employment and Skills, and Planning, Development and Infrastructure.
The leaders of the various groups, who also attended Pawsey’s briefing, are: Kate Moss, Director of Communications & Participation, University of Worcester; Roy Irish, Director, Financial Partnership & Support Ltd; Carl Arntzen, Managing Director, Worcester Bosch Group; and Jacqui Bayliss, Director, Harris Lamb Property Consultancy.
