Experts to discuss future of Lincolnshire economy

This story is over

Twenty experts from business, industry, Government and academia will gather at the Lincolnshire Showground at the end of this month to consider the future of the Lincolnshire economy.

From the University of Lincoln to the CBI, and from the Department of Transport to the care sector, the experts have been drawn from a wide range of industries to take part in the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s annual conference.

The LEP Conference 2018 will take place at the Showground on Friday, September 28 and its theme will be ‘The Future of the Lincolnshire Economy’.

During the event guests including Karen Lee MP, David Hallam, founder and MD of software firm OrderWise, Professor Libby John from the University of Lincoln, and Richard Blackmore, Regional Director of the CBI East Midlands, will take part in a number of panel discussions.

Chaired by Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the four panels will discuss what the future has in store for robotics and automation, digitalisation, skills, and energy and water.

The panels are:


Robotics & Automation

  • Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
  • Dr Megan Ronayne, Regional Manager at EEF – the Manufacturer’s Organisation
  • Professor Simon Pearson from the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology
  • David Hallam, founder and MD of automated business management software firm OrderWise
  • Jake Norman, Sales and Marketing Director at OAL Group – supplier of engineering solutions to the food manufacturing industry
  • Graham Pendlebury, Director for Local Transport at the Department for Transport

Digitalisation

  • Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
  • Glenn Thow, CEO of IT software company LCS Group, and the LCS IT Academy, Grimsby
  • David Thorpe, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses
  • Christian Greenshaw, CEO of CareShield, the UK’s largest specialist provider of workforce development solutions to health and social care organisations Professor Libby John, Head of the College of Science and
  • Engineering, University of Lincoln
  • Neil Everatt, CEO of leading HR and finance cloud technology provider Selenity

Skills

  • Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
  • Gary Headland, CEO of the Lincoln College Group and Chair of the Institute of Directors in Lincolnshire
  • Richard Blackmore, Regional Director of the CBI East Midlands
  • Claire Threapleton, HR consultant
  • Chris Baron, Resort Director at Butlins
  • Karen Lee, MP for Lincoln & Shadow Home Office Minister

Energy & Water

  • Ursula Lidbetter MBE (Chair)
  • Allan Simpson, Strategic Growth Manager at Anglian Water
  • Lee Dawson, Head of UK Finance at Siemens
  • Jack Lavington, Head of Operations at renewable waste recycling company Ellgia
  • Richard Jones, MD of electric charging point company EV Camel
  • Cllr Colin Davie from Lincolnshire County Council

Not only will those attending the conference be able to take part in the panel debates, they will also have the opportunity to book a place on a round-table discussion with one of four experts:

  • Dr Megan Ronayne, EEF – the future of UK manufacturing, competitiveness, skills, apprenticeships
  • Professor Simon Pearson, Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology – agrifood technology, robotics and automated vehicles
  • Richard Blackmore, CBI – Government strategy, Brexit planning and preparation
  • Allan Simpson, Anglian Water – infrastructure strategy and planning, utilities, water, homes

The keynote speakers will be Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, who will talk about the future of the economy and how Greater Lincolnshire fits into the Midlands Engine’s vision, and Ursula Lidbetter MBE, who will review the past year and look forward to what the next 12 months may bring.

The LEP Conference 2018 is staged in partnership with the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

It will take place at the EPIC Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, from 8am until 2pm on Friday 28th September 2018.

Free delegates’ passes are still available here.