Green Growth and future manufacturing the focus for Quarterly Economic Briefing

Understanding the key points of the recent Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine and the many possible future opportunities for Midlands manufacturing were discussed at the latest Quarterly Economic Briefing.

The Briefings, organised by the Midlands Engine Observatory, provide an opportunity to share the latest findings on the state of the Midlands economy and identify opportunities for growth.

The Observatory provides comprehensive and contemporary data, analysis and intelligence on the whole of the Midlands economy in order to inform regional and national level policy and projects.

Brought together to discuss the finer points of the Ten Point Plan, Professor Andrew Leyshon was joined by chair of the Midlands Engine Green Growth Board Peter Ware, Nottingham City Council’s Wayne Bexton and Turley’s Barny Evans.

The panel drew on their expertise to discuss everything from the challenges around delivery to the growth of low carbon energy in the Midlands, and the creation of green places.

Continuing the Green Growth theme, Dr Anastasia Ri from the Enterprise Research Centre presented her work on the drivers and outcomes of net zero practices in business.

As opposed to similar research which has focused on enterprise-level companies, Dr Ri’s work examined the environmental practices that SMEs can adopt to meet the net zero emission targets set by Government.

The Observatory also used the occasion to launch its latest publication, ‘Midlands Engine Manufacturing Opportunities: What could be made in the Midlands in the Future?’.

The report focuses on the future possibilities within manufacturing that could lead to an extra 165,000 jobs for the economy and £13.7 billion in GVA.

Those opportunities range from hydrogen, drones and medicine production to green aerospace and waste-reducing robots.

This latest publication is part of ongoing research by Midlands Engine and Warwick Manufacturing Group into the future of manufacturing and follows on from Midlands Engine Makes: The Home of British Manufacturing, released in July.

Speaking about the Midlands Engine Manufacturing Opportunities publication, Director of the Midlands Engine Observatory Professor Delma Dwight said:

The Manufacturing Opportunities report represents the start of what I hope will be a long and fruitful conversation with business on how we pursue the future success of our region’s advanced manufacturing sector.

This report represents another success for our long standing partnership with Warwick Manufacturing Group whose expertise in this area has proved invaluable.

The next Quarterly Economic Briefing will be held in December. If you are interested in attending please email contact Midlands Engine.

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