MP for Stoke-on-Trent North Jonathan Gullis met with a group of business leaders and education providers to discuss key local issues.
The workshop was hosted by the Conservative politician together with members of the Lawrence Davis creative agency at their headquarters at Chimneys House in Stoke-on-Trent.
Topics under discussion included technology investment in the digital age, local employment, transport infrastructure and industrial building availability.
In attendance were Paul Conquest, Managing Director, Eden Holistic Petfoods, Michelle Bugliarello, Chief Operating Officer of Eden Holistic Pet Foods, Mark Berrisford, Sales Director Mantec Technical Ceramics, Andrew Frost, Sales/Project Engineer, Mantec Technical Ceramics, Mark Richards, Director Advanced Packaging, Rachel Basnett, External Partnerships and Events Manager City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Lisa Clowes, PR and Marketing Officer, City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.
Following an opening presentation from the MP the participants outlined their priorities for successful growth and issues that impacted on their organisations.
In response to their representations, Jonathan Gullis pledged to request an update from Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper about the Stoke-Leek railway line and to explore the potential of Stoke-on-Trent as a logistics hub.
The MP is to seek a virtual meeting with the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education to discuss the lack of formal qualifications and opportunities for the apprenticeships route in technical ceramics.
He will also apply for a Westminster Hall debate on precision ceramics.
Dawn Bezus, Director of Lawrence Davis, said: “It was very important to arrange the workshop based on feedback we receive when working closely with our clients.
“Every client has individual problems of growth, but they form a common theme for this area – expansion restrictions either based on location, investment and labour.
“It was a dynamic meeting filled with positivity looking at a complex need for the growth of Stoke-on-Trent.”
Mark Richards said: “It was a very beneficial discussion forum that helped me better understand the priorities of one of the local MPs for the area.
“It was good to hear about the challenges and opportunities faced by other local businesses and education providers. I think more of this kind of grass-roots communication would be very useful for both local and national politicians to better understand key issues facing employers in the area.”
