Loughborough Economic Forum – book now
Insider’s economic debate roadshow arrives in Loughborough on 20 October, where a panel of business leaders will debate the challenges and opportunities that the town faces in front of an invited business audience.
Panel to include:
Angus Laing – Dean of Loughborough Business School
Neil Etherington, associate partner, Rothera Dowson
David Hughes, Prospect Leicestershire
Paul Jenkinson, Connect Midlands
Mike Chambers, Finance Manager & Director, 3M Health Care
Loughborough is the main town in Charnwood and has become a major centre for advanced technology, being particularly strong in engineering, health care and pharmaceuticals, energy research and development, and it is underpinned by one of the country’s leading universities. However, the town faces challenges. The withdrawal of AstraZeneca means 1,200 highly-skilled jobs will be lost, and the challenge for Loughborough now is to keep the skills and expertise in the region.
One way of doing this may be from spin-out companies moving into phase two of Loughborough Science Park. Outline planning consent has been obtained for the development of phase two (7.85 hectares). Just under 34,000 sq m of new commercial floor space will be developed to provide a range of 2, 3 and some 4 storey buildings. Development begins in 2011, once a development partner has been confirmed.
A substantial pipeline of potential occupants for phase two is being incubated at Loughborough Innovation Centre on the university campus. Since it opened in 2002, the centre has helped 80 innovative companies to prosper; a quarter of which have already graduated into larger premises. The centre can accommodate up to 40 companies and houses a number of the university's spin outs.
Insider’s Loughborough Economic Forum will examine the strong links between local businesses and the university, as well ask the question: what next for Loughborough, post-AstraZeneca?
Insider’s forum is intended to be an opportunity for the business community in the area to listen to and question those behind the big issues which will affect the county’s economic future.
Our events are regularly over-subscribed therefore please register your interest as soon as possible. If you have been successful you will receive a confirmation email two weeks prior to the event. Please click here to register your interest.
