Business Groups | GFirst LEP, Gloucestershire

Our Business Groups are the ‘engine-room’ – experts in their field who advise on business and economic growth decisions, to help Gloucestershire improve it's skills, increase it's innovation and reach it's economic potential.

As businesses adapt and embrace the changing future, GFirst LEP’s business groups are a key contributor in the development and implementation of the Gloucestershire Economic Recovery Plan. Their valuable contributions have enabled us to create a business-rich plan which reflects the county’s character, business needs and economic priorities.

Working alongside Growth Hubs, schools and a wider network of stakeholders, our business voice is louder than ever - informing local and national strategies as well as using their expertise to identify the skills and employment opportunities needed to future-proof Gloucestershire's business workforce.

For more information on the work of the business groups at GFirst LEP, click on the sectors listed below, or get in touch with our Business Group Manager Paul Woodhouse.

Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing

Identify and address skills shortages within the sector, engaging with academia to address these gaps and incorporate the manufacturing initiatives into the STEM learning environment. To ensure the right talents and capabilities are developed and retained within the county, avoiding skills seepage.To assist in the development and implementation of the county’s Local Industrial Strategy.

Agri Food and Rural

Supporting sustainable rural businesses with their growth potential, access to workforce and their innovation goals; identifying areas of opportunity and support from associated organisations.To assist in the implementation of the Local Industrial Strategy's Agri-tech strand with other business groups and the Inward Investment teams.

Banking and Finance

Work with the full spectrum of banks and financial organisations within the county to offer holistic support and impartial advice to businesses. To offer business-specific financial guidance to Growth Hub clients via banking and finance 'Clinics.'

Business Members Group

As a collective representation of the professional services in the county, to act collaboratively to review and feedback on GFirst LEP pipeline project proposals for consideration of future funding opportunities.This group provides a platform for representatives from the county’s business membership groups to engage with each other and with Board representatives. This group provides a conduit between the LEP Board and membership groups to identify mutual needs and solutions to enhance economic growth.

Construction and Infrastructure

To offer support in identifying and facilitating the planning of employment land within the county particularly along the M5 ‘growth zone’. To work collaboratively to support infrastructure developments surrounding planned growth areas, taking into consideration any environmental and social impact.

Cyber Tech

To support the key Government objective of making the UK one of the most secure places in the world to do business.To develop Cheltenham as the ‘cyber cradle’ within Gloucestershire, ensuring cyber-tech start-ups are surrounded with the knowledge and expertise to grow here, capitalising on the world-class Cyber-tech institutions in the county.

Energy

Ensure the application of Gloucestershire’s Sustainable Energy Strategy into new projects. To work collaboratively to strive for the ambition for Gloucestershire to become carbon neutral by 2050.To encourage the adoption of measures to improve the efficiency of energy usage by businesses.

Retail and the High Street

To have a joined-up approach to the current retail offering within the county. To identify current challenges facing high street businesses and work together to encourage diversification and offer employment and skills support.

Visitor Economy and Tourism

To ensure that Gloucestershire is a vibrant, year-round destination for tourists of all ages and from all locations. To ensure a joined-up thinking approach to every area of the county, to share best practice to generate a holistic approach to building the visitor economy.