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Gloucestershire LEP and businesses visit Buckingham Palace

Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership has received backing of the highest order after meeting His Royal Highness The Duke of York at Buckingham Palace.

The LEP, along with five Gloucestershire businesses were invited to meet The Duke in order to discuss the work of local organisations that are supporting and promoting business development and entrepreneurial activity in the area.

On the agenda was inward investment, apprenticeships and the work of the LEP, as The Duke was particularly keen to hear about the efforts of local businesses to develop the skills of young people through on the job training and apprenticeships.

Chair of Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership Diane Savory said: “Since the Local Enterprise Partnership was set up in May 2011 we have been working hard to ensure that Gloucestershire is ahead of the game and its economy is growing.

“Getting the chance to visit The Duke of York at Buckingham Palace shows that we are being taken seriously and that Gloucestershire’s LEP is leading the way.”

Five businesspeople, along with Diane Savory, David Owen, Keith Rog and Claire Edwards from GFirst, which drives Gloucestershire’s LEP, were able to meet His Royal Highness.

David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst, said: “The Duke of York, like us, is passionate about export and apprenticeships to help sustain future growth in Gloucestershire’s economy.

“His Royal Highness was interested in some of our current initiatives and work with county businesses.

“We have some great companies in Gloucestershire and it was fantastic to be able to showcase some of them to The Duke of York on this visit.”

Roman Cooper, CEO at leading security installation and fire safety firm Allcooper Ltd and board member for Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership said: “It’s reassuring that the GFirst team have been recognised for their hard work and effort.

“A high profile meeting like this shows that GFirst is attracting attention at the highest levels and that its work in driving economic growth in our county is having an impact.”

Oli Christie, CEO of Neon Play based in Cirencester, added: “It’s fantastic to have met The Duke of York who showed his support for this talented and vibrant county.

“There are some incredible companies in the area and Neon Play is proud to be one of the lucky few to have some face time with him. His Royal Highness was impressed with the iPhone and iPad games we showed him and it was a proud moment in our short two year history.”

Paul Sadler, Director of Calcot Health and Leisure Ltd, said: “It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to discuss the current state of the economy with The Duke of York and how it directly impacts on the hospitality industry, which is the country’s fifth biggest employer.

“We were able to discuss the challenges and the opportunities that have been created in this time of uncertainty and how the tourism and hospitality industry has the potential to grow hugely if given the right stimulus and support from government.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .