This week saw the second annual Northamptonshire Business Summit take place at the new Silverstone ‘Wing’ building, supported by the Northamptonshire Ambassadors and attended by a diverse range of delegates from the county’s business community.
Companies, both large (including Tesco, Carlsberg and Avon) and small (including The Green House, The Picked Village and Coulson and MacLeod) were involved in sharing their expertise at the day-long programme, while Richard Noble OBE, former land speed record holder, delivered the keynote speech, focusing on innovation and risk-taking in business.
Delegates also had the opportunity to take part in a high level panel debate to discuss how the UK’s response to globalisation will drive economic recovery. Panel members included Adam Marshall, British Chambers of Commerce, Alastair Cunningham, Bank of England and Maxine Aldred, Federation of Small Businesses.
Northamptonshire County Council, supported by NEP unveiled The Innovation and Enterprise Fund (INV-ENT), which will support local businesses and encourage economic development in the county. INV-ENT was developed as a direct response to feedback from businesses at last year’s Summit regarding the difficulty in securing finance. The fund will enable eligible businesses to grow and create jobs via a business rate rebate for reinvestment in the business.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Northamptonshire’s business community and some recent successes in the county including the development of new innovation centres, the creation of the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone and NEP’s new Local Enterprise Partnership Status – all of which will help support economic growth and development.
Thanks to all those that attended and we look forward to seeing you again for the 2012 Summit!
