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A TOP level delegation from Business Solent met with senior politicians from both sides of the political divide during the conference season.
Representatives from the business engagement organisation attended both the Conservative and Labour Party conferences and took part in far-reaching ministerial discussions.
At the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, board member Mike Smith, CEO Sally Lynskey and other Business Solent Champions met with senior members from Ed Milliband’s team.
They also held discussions with New Economy, a local authority backed research institute and met with Lord Peter Smith, the Chairman of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) – who holds one of the most influential roles in local government in Europe.
At private roundtables the delegation also met with the leaders of some twelve other authorities from across the country and senior figures from the voluntary and social enterprise sectors.
Mike Smith explained: “We met with the chairman of AGMA and ran events with a leading think tank meeting with council leaders and representatives from Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) from across the country.
“This is where Business Solent is at its best. Reaching out across all parties, and all sectors of the economy to champion our region and its strengths as we seek to promote the central South as a great place to live, work and study,” he said.
Following the Labour conference, Business Solent representatives also met with ministers, higher education networks and local authority leaders at the Conservative Party conference.
by admin