West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has urged the region to bring its 'swagger' and shout about its success as the country's fastest-growing economy. Speaking at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, she called on businesses to help shape the region's skills strategy to ensure a skilled workforce for the future.
All-Female Panel Promotes Regional Success
The mayor led an all-female panel to promote the region's economic achievements, coinciding with the launch of an investment prospectus highlighting £17bn worth of opportunities, including Bristol Temple Quarter and the Brabazon & West Innovation Arc new town in South Gloucestershire and north Bristol. Delegates received tote bags declaring the West of England as 'the fastest-growing regional economy'.
Ms Godwin highlighted the region's strong track record, joking: "I know that others are claiming that title but we are having it!" She emphasised that while the West has always been successful, contributing strongly to UK GDP, it has been too humble. "What we haven’t done is gone out there with swagger and talked ourselves up like others have," she said.
Competition from Other Regions
Facing competition from other dynamic city regions, the West now needs to push its success in innovation, national security, and food security. Ms Godwin described the region as having a skilled and diverse population where people want to live, stating: "We are really important to this country’s story."
Jessica Lee, director of policy and strategy at the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), echoed this sentiment: "Everyone else is talking themselves up so we should do the same thing." Annabel Smith, director of strategic partnerships and stakeholders at Weca, added that by working together, organisations could turn 'West of England plc' into a globally significant brand.
Skills Strategy and Inclusive Growth
The panel stressed the importance of ensuring all residents benefit from economic growth. Ms Godwin highlighted the need to tackle child poverty and ensure sectors like care and education are not neglected. Ms Lee discussed the region's skills strategy, focusing on lifelong learning to enable career switches.
Improved transport links were also deemed crucial. Ms Smith noted a 'significant shift' in conversations about potential mass transit for the region. The panel celebrated successes like the West Innovation Arc and companies from innovative SMEs to global giants like Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
Housing and Commercial Space Challenges
Ms Godwin called for more commercial space to retain university spin-out firms, which often leave the region. She also highlighted the need for more housing, with 'ridiculous' high prices in places like Bath hindering relocation.
She urged businesses to engage with the upcoming skills strategy, detailing skills gaps so providers can create a 'workforce of the future'. Emphasising her strong relationship with government, she said: "Talk to us about what you’d like to see."
Concluding, panellists stressed the power of a unified message. Ms Smith said the region cannot build its narrative without partners pulling together. Ms Lee added: "We’ve got a really strong story here... and we all need to be sharing it consistently."
