Business involvement
After opening remarks on the UK Industrial Strategy from the Cities and Local Growth Unit, a joint unit between the Department of Business and Trade and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the day included NICRE presenting evidence and insight from its State of Rural Enterprise Survey and Cornwall businesses directly sharing their experiences.
Business leaders at the event included Piran Trezise, the Chief Operating Officer at Goonhilly Earth Station, who said Cornwall was at the forefront of those able to support the UK’s economic plans.
He said: "Cornwall has a unique blend of businesses which are well placed to help the UK with its growth ambitions. This includes businesses focussed on critical minerals which are needed for net zero through to businesses in the tech sector delivering broadband and Space services such as ours at Goonhilly. Cornwall has many businesses which are well equipped to help deliver that strategy."
Crossbench peer Lord Cameron of Dillington, former chairman of the Countryside Agency, also attended the event. He said: “People have the idea that the rural economy is all about agriculture, and it is to some extent, but there is a tremendous amount of small businesses in Cornwall, and the Government needs to understand that there is a huge potential, and they should focus on it.
“Cornwall has a lot going for it, it has got energy potential in terms of wind power, it's got sunshine for solar panels, it's got mineral potential for mining including tin and lithium which has a huge world market currently dominated by the Chinese businesses and it's got small enterprising communities who, given the opportunity, could thrive - but they have to be given the opportunity and that means the delivery of power, the delivery of planning permissions. It is sitting there ready to go.”
Pictured above, NICRE's Melanie Thompson-Glen (right) with representatives from Geothermal Engineering Ltd, Eden Geothermal and Cornish Lithium at the event.