More than 100 policy makers and businesses received an update from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership at its bi-annual Forum on 2 November at the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel.
In his final Forum as chief executive before retiring at the end of the year, Ron Crank, spoke about the post-election period bringing new opportunities with many businesses in the area planning for renewed growth, how the LEP will be supporting future growth sectors such as STEM and emphasising the importance of apprenticeships.
Michael Jenkins, chief executive of the internationally renowned leadership institute Roffey Park, based in Horsham, delivered a highly informative keynote address comparing and contrasting doing business in the South East and South East Asia, in particular Singapore.
Delegates also heard from Nick Juba the new chief executive of City College, Brighton and Hove and Professor Andrew Lloyd, University of Brighton, who is heading up a new Advanced Engineering Centre about how Coast to Capital growth deal funding was helping their organisations.
Transport consultant Iain Reeve revealed Coast to Capital has contributed £10m towards the revamp of Gatwick Airport railway station, and 19 infrastructure projects will create better roads, walking and cycling facilities, as well as improved train and buses systems in the area.
Ron Crank concluded the Forum by saying: "When I took the helm of the newly-formed Coast to Capital LEP, it was with a passionate belief in the power of partnership working to achieve change. We set ourselves robust targets, over the next 25 years, we will have created 100,000 new jobs, increased trade by £780m each year and increased annual output by £11.1bm. During our first five years we have achieved many things but there is plenty more to do."
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