Secure future for NWDA

THE Warrington-based North West Development Agency looks to have a secure future following a visit from new business and innovation secretary Vince Cable.
He dropped in at the agency’s headquarters to meet NWDA chairman Robert Frost and chief executive Steven Broomhead and members of the new North West Manufacturing Forum.
Mr Cable’s message was that while the change of government could mean some regional development agencies would not continue in their present form, the successful ones – such as NWDA – were unlikely to be changed.
He said: “My department will be the department for growth. We need to develop a stronger, more balanced economy that is less dependent on the City by building on the strengths of our manufacturing and other knowledge industries.
“The UK is open for business and we welcome the investment that is being made here by manufacturing companies, like Bentley, creating highly skilled workforces that will ensure our future growth.”
The North West Manufacturing Forum, set up and organised by the NWDA, has been formed to act as the face and voice of North West manufacturing on the local, regional, national and international stage.
The industry-led forum will steer the North West Manufacturing Strategy, launched at the end of last year, and influence the public sector actions within it. The forum will identify “demand” requirements and influence “supply” provision, particularly from the public sector. This will allow the forum to advise the public sector on the implementation of the Manufacturing Strategy; future developments of the strategy; and interventions in manufacturing going forward.
Mr Hough said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Secretary of State to the North West today for him to hear at first hand the experience of our major manufacturers here in the region. The North West Manufacturing Forum, set up by the NWDA, will act as ambassadors and the voice for North West manufacturing, helping to promote the diverse strength of our outstanding manufacturing sector. The North West’s manufacturing sector is the biggest in the UK and remains a major driver for improving GVA, contributing almost £20 billion to the regional economy.”
Mr Broomhead said the NWDA had been pleased to welcome Mr Cable to its headquarters – and that he appeared to have been impressed with what he had seen.