Envisioning Staffordshire's Economic Growth

Yesterday, Thursday 4th of September, saw business and civic leaders from across Staffordshire meet for Insider's Staffordshire lunch to discuss how the county can maximize its huge array of world-class assets.

Meeting at Keele University's Denise Coates building, visitors braved the torrential rain, exchanging damp handshakes over warm coffee. The program, led by the deputy editor of Midlands Business Insider, Ian Griffin, comprised several networking opportunities, three panel sessions, and a keynote presentation from Cllr Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council.

Panel topics and speakers comprised:

Panel One: Property & Investment

Ann Pittard - Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Keele University Science & Innovation Park

Gareth Brown - Director of Development Economics, Stantec

Andrew Pilkington Group Managing Director, Knights

Anthony Hodge - Assistand Director for Business & Enterprise, Staffordshire County Council

Richard Hickman - Senior Director of Planning, Indurent

Panel Two: Visitor Economy

Anthony Emmerson - Head of Supporter Experience, Stoke- City FC

Kirsty Nichols - Sales Manager, Drayton Manor Resort

Penny Weston - Owner & Director, Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat

Mark Ellis - Lead National Memorial Arboretum

Frances-Marie Hitchen - Board Member, Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership

Panel Three: Advanced Manufacturing

David Johnson - Head of Public Affairs - Uk & Ireland, Michelin

John Kavanagh - Group Communications Director , JCB

Tom Nadin Head of Projests and Business Services, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

Stuart Maclachlan - Director of R & D, Lucideon Limited

Discussions were informative, upbeat, and collaborative, with everyone who spoke on the topic agreeing that Staffordshire is a great place to live, work, and do business. There were two themes recurring throughout the day:

1. Stoke-on-Trent is, in reality, the distribution centre for the country, and the A50/500 corridor is a main artery. HS2 is coming to the edge of South Staffordshire, and these elements make Staffordshire/Stoke-on-Trent the perfect spot for development of all kinds - the beating heart of the country.

   
   

2. Staffordshire has everything: history, natural beauty, industry, and every kind of leisure pursuit anyone could want - England's playground.

For more in-depth information on this important event, see our further posts.

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Envisioning Staffordshire's Economic Growth - 4.9.25