April 2021

WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Welcome from Warwickshire County Council chief executive Monica Fogarty

Hello and welcome to the April edition of Warwickshire Means Business.

It is encouraging to read in this edition that the most recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed rising optimism amongst the business community in our region.

The roll-out of the vaccination programme, alongside the easing of lockdown restrictions, has led to an increase in business confidence, particularly within the service sector. Of course, we all know that challenges remain, and will remain for some time to come, but I do believe there is room for cautious optimism.

One of the biggest challenges ahead for our economy is that the business landscape post-COVID will be very different in many ways. Warwickshire businesses have adapted to the demands of the pandemic with outstanding creativity, enterprise and resilience and those attributes will continue to be very much needed in the months ahead.

Of one thing you can be certain - whatever the challenge your business faces, Warwickshire County Council and our partners across the Region will be here to help in every way we can.

Nowhere are the needs of businesses evolving more quickly than in the area of Skills and in this edition of Warwickshire Means Business we feature our Employability & Skills Team, led by Fay Winterburn.

I can't speak highly enough of the work that Fay and her six-strong team helping to equip businesses with the skills they need and young people with the careers they deserve. The Team is full of ideas and also has the talent and application to turn those ideas into reality.

There is so much going on...please have a read about the many projects they are current delivering and get in touch about any that could benefit your business.

Also in this edition of Warwickshire Means Business, please read about some other funding opportunities coming down the track. Our very successful Adapt & Diversify grants will soon open for a second round as we seek investment projects to submit to the Government's Community Renewal Fund.

Our Sustain, Support & Grow programme is still offering invaluable support of the sort which has enabled Leamington & Warwick Gymnastic Club to remain at the heart of its community.

Please read too about Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Business Pledge, the rollout of full fibre broadband into six more towns in Warwickshire...and much more in another bumper edition of WMB.

Yes, there is room for optimism - and while rebuilding the economy in the months ahead will take a lot of long hours and hard yards from businesses, you can be sure that the Economy & Skills team at Warwickshire County Council will be right there beside you.

MONICA

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