Sandy Park hosts the Great South West Annual Conference

Sandy Park hosted the Great South West Annual Conference attended by senior business leaders and key stakeholders to discuss the region’s leading role in driving the UK’s economic future.

More than 500 delegates attended to listen to an impressive line-up of speakers and panellists, who shared their industry insights on how the South West’s strengths, in particular, energy, defence, and food production, is driving investment into the region, powering the UK’s transition to net zero, and creating high-quality jobs.

The conference keynote address was from Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry.

Great South West Partnership chair Karl Tucker said: “We have the UK’s greatest array of clean energy production and globally recognised expertise in environmental and climate science, matched with pioneering manufacturing and defence capabilities that are at the vanguard of world-leading technologies, coupled with high-quality food production and agricultural research centres which are driving new international markets for the UK.

“Our unique mix of nationally critical assets and resources positions the great South West at the forefront of leading the UK’s future security and its transition to a net zero economy.”

The conference also saw the launch of the Great South West Independent Economic Review (IER), which will serve as a blueprint for future growth and investment into the region.

The main speakers and audience were hosted in the Exeter Suite, while breakout sessions were held in the County Suite, the Chiefs Suite and the Estuary Suite.

Great South West Partnership director Ahmed Goga said: “Thanks to the Sandy Park team for helping execute a great event on Friday. It all really came together, and we have had nothing but positive feedback from delegates and the media.

“Sandy Park really carried the weight of a serious event for the region on the national stage, so we are very pleased with the outcome.”