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Solid foundations in the Enterprise M3 economy to build for the future

Last updated 02 July 2021
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Dave Axam

The foundations are in place in the Enterprise M3 economy and its people to build the future everyone wants, its Chair Dave Axam has said.

Opening Enterprise M3’s online AGM - Owning the Future, Seizing Opportunities - Dave Axam highlighted the achievements of the past 12 months, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and said it was important that the LEP’s focus was now on the future.

“Our focus is the future and recovery, reviving businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 to help them renew and grow.

“The resilience of our economy is in the people,” he added, referencing the focus areas of the LEP’s Revive and Renew economic recovery plan - future skills, digital skills and investment in digital connectivity and clean growth.

Supporting businesses in growth sectors is a vital part of EM3’s work and Dave highlighted the need for future skills in the space and gaming sectors, to create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.

“That business connection with Further Education in particular is vital,” he said. “It’s a game of collaboration, working together, investing in the skills of the future that will give us our future prosperity.”

Looking to the future, Dave said it was important that businesses seized the opportunities created by a net zero economy.

“We can grow our economy and we can do that in a clean way. We have choices to make around that, but it is an imperative.”

Reflecting on his seven years as Chair of Enterprise M3, Dave, said: “It has been a privilege and honour to work with this Board and the team at the LEP this year and in previous years. 

“The Board has changed in that time, but I believe the greater our diversity of thinking the better decisions we will make. The board will need to continue to question itself so that it continues to represent our community.”

Michael Queen will take over as Chair of the LEP on 1 August and Dave said a vital role for the LEP as it goes forward would be that of continuing to foster collaboration, ensuring that the Enterprise M3 region maximises investment in its economy and growth sectors. 

“Investment here I think pays back and helps the whole of the UK to level up.”

You can view EM3's interactive Annual Report here.

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