A new taskforce is being launched to try and steer Leicester and Leicestershire out of lockdown and onto the road to recovery.
The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is launching the Business Gateway Ideas Taskforce to support economic growth, principally through innovation.
The region has been hit particularly hard after Leicester and some parts of the wider county were placed in a second period of lockdown following a local spike in Covid-19 cases.
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The LLEP believes “agility, adaptation and innovation” will be key for businesses to “survive and thrive”.
Sue Tilley, LLEP economic strategy manager said every successful business is based on a good idea, and the taskforce will try and ensure good business ideas see the light of day.
Members of the taskforce include representatives from NatWest, the British Business Bank, PPL PRS, which is based in Leicester, business advisors RSM, Loughborough, Leicester and De Montfort Universities, Innovate 海角视频 and local SMEs DPI Ltd and Aristec Ltd.
The taskforce has been established in response to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (REAP).
The LLEP was one of 海角视频 enterprise partnerships selected by the Department of Business, Energy and industrial Strategy to take part in it.
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The programme is designed to help regions accelerate economic growth and job creation through innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Businesses will be regularly updated about the taskforce's initiatives and support activities through the Business Gateway Growth Hub.
A survey of Innovative Leicester and Leicestershire businesses is currently underway to help determine the initial direction of the ideas taskforce.
Anyone interested in participating can complete the survey online.
LLEP board member Neil McGhee said: “Working with MIT has already delivered real benefits for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire, and the MIT REAP initiative has created a great platform for local collaboration and a catalyst for change.
“The LLEP and Business Gateway Growth Hub are delighted to have had such positive support from the universities, funding institutions, corporate business, Innovate 海角视频 and SMEs in the creation of the ideas taskforce.
“The ideas taskforce is about developing fresh new ideas and new ways of working within the innovation ecosystem, to positively benefit our economy.
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“Bringing together such a key group of stakeholders to develop these strategies will convey tangible benefits for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire and the delivery of the LLEP Economic Recovery Plan.”
Anjuu Trevedi is head of regional business engagement at the University of Leicester and a member of the Business Gateway Ideas Taskforce.
She said: “I’m very pleased and honoured to have the opportunity to work collegiately with public and private sector stakeholders to support the Ideas Taskforce on behalf of the University of Leicester.
“Membership of the taskforce will enable the university to jointly identify and develop new ideas to enhance the innovation ecosystem, to positively benefit our region.
“It will also help us to predict future business needs to benefit the economy of Leicester and Leicestershire.
“The ultimate aim is for Leicester and Leicestershire to become a leading region for innovation, which will provide the necessary climate for businesses to recover post-Covid and thrive in future.”