Colin Mustoe, Senator International
I see very limited opportunities. Most businesses will be trying to maintain activity and turnover.
When you pair that with the region’s strengths in the manufacturing, energy and utilities sectors, you can see there will be a massive opportunity in the cleantech space as these industries move towards a net zero future.
Helen Clayton, PM+M
For us, the most significant growth opportunities lie in offering advisory services that go way beyond statutory compliance. Our work with clients has grown significantly in the advisory space.
Keith Melling, Napthens
We expect demand for employment law and HR advice to surge as the government introduces more employee legislation
Brian Newell, Shackerley Façade Systems Graham Blanchard, Fort Vale Engineering
Our opportunities will likely come in the US and European rail market. In particular this will likely be in the liquified transportable gas markets and speciality chemical transport sectors.
Nicola Clayton, executive director of business development and external engagement at Blackburn College
We have very strong relationships with employers in the area and want to build further on those, developing strategies and opportunities that support the skills needs of industry and the supply chain.
We work closely with Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is very forward thinking, and willing to try things. It is always looking to invest, creating new industries and attracting businesses into the area.
Deborah Smith, S&L Planning
Green development appears to be picking up a pace. Increasing regulatory and consumer focus on sustainability is driving
demand for energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy integration. Ageing building stock presents opportunities for retrofitting with green technologies.
Steve Murphy, UVS
We have a relatively small percentage of some market sectors we are working in, mainly due to a lack of awareness of UVS and our products. We are focused on increasing awareness. The same applies to our international business, which is expanding.
Andrew Brown, Crow Wood
Given the Budget we have just had I am not hopeful of any growth at all. Pressures on recruitment will ease, but employers will be reluctant to hire, particularly if the new employees’ rights are implemented.
Hannah Churchman, Lancashire County Council
Lancashire’s growing digital and cyber economy is set to give the county a massive competitive advantage. Opportunities generated from our strengths in digital and physical security and defence, future flight and space, and nuclear and cleantech, will be significant.
The investor confidence which will flow from the National Cyber Force HQ bedding in across 2025, progress on the new Innovation Hub at Samlesbury, and Lancashire set to be at the heart of the new North West Defence and Security Cluster – there’s lots of opportunities on the horizon.
Rory Southworth, project lead for Lancashire County Council’s fhunded VC investment programme
The RedCAT and Chamber Low Carbon programmes, and some of the industrial decarbonised work coming out of places like AMRC North West, highlight how strong our low carbon offer is.
The Building Safety Act and developers’ focus on sustainability are both opportunities for us.
Jeremy Hartley, Eric Wright Group
We see the increased housing targets across our local authority areas creating opportunity and planning reforms potentially
playing a part in accelerating associated development timelines.
The demographic shifts around an increase in our aging population will also provide growth opportunities for our elderly living accommodation and new residential care business.
Our water business will undoubtedly see growth as the regional water organisations ramp up their infrastructure expenditure plans, and we would hope to see increased civil engineering activities as the government gradually increases spend on infrastructure projects in the region.
WHAT THOUGHTS DO YOU HAVE ON LANCASHIRE’S ECONOMY OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
Babs Murphy, North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Lancashire’s economy has the potential for steady growth over the next 12 months, particularly as the region continues to leverage its strengths in manufacturing, digital technology, and renewable energy.
The area’s focus on innovation and its robust industrial base provides a solid foundation for economic resilience. Investments in local infrastructure, including transport links and business parks, are likely to further enhance business operations and attract new companies seeking to establish a presence in the region.
Keith Melling, Napthens
The government has committed to increase investment in public services which I’m hoping to see cascade into the local business community.
The establishment of a Combined County Authority should see an improved programme of skills development, such as the £20m funding for the Samlesbury Innovation Hub, and I’m hoping the relocation of the National Cyber Force into the region will create more job opportunities.
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
29
LOOKING AHEAD
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
