More than 20 local businesses back launch of Gloucestershire Growth Forum

Published: 17th February 2025
Read Time: 3 mins

Events set to capitalise on County Council’s economic growth strategy

17th February 2025, Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire Growth Forum, a new event series headed up by Cheltenham-based technology consultancy, Emerge Digital, and backed by more than 20 other organisations, is set to support local businesses aiming to capitalise on the county council’s economic growth strategy.

Released in 2024, Gloucestershire’s Economic Strategy announces plans for the county to become a hub for the UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agencies. It also aims to attract world-leading businesses in digital communications, advanced manufacturing, and agri-tech. Proposals include initiatives to accelerate investment, create jobs, and develop future skills, positioning Gloucestershire as a leader in green industries and technologies.

Despite these plans, Gloucestershire County Council's new economic growth board predicts that the local economy will stagnate this year due to the impact of the government’s National Insurance increase on local SMEs.

The Gloucestershire Growth Forum, hosted at the University of Gloucestershire and supported by their dedicated Growth Hub team, will run its first event on March 19th, to provide actionable growth guidance to more than 20 local businesses. Attendees will hear from senior business leaders and voices from across the region delivering a series of workshops covering funding, growth, team development, innovation strategy, ESG, exit planning, sales, and technology adoption, as well as 1-2-1 sessions.

Guest speakers include Alex Brown, CEO of Gloucester Rugby, who will be discussing his experiences with leadership both received and given during his rugby career, the transition into off-field leadership roles at Gloucester Rugby, and how his leadership approach has steered the club to its strong competitive and commercial position.

Other business leaders supporting the forum include Nikolas Venios, Founder of The Ideas Agency, Peter Quintana, Director at business consultancy hgkc, and Paul Hillis, Regional Director of Sandler Training. Better Business Better World’s Camilla Barnes, a sustainability consultant specialising in B Corp certification, is also backing the event, alongside Nigel Griffiths, Corporate Finance Consultant from FRP Advisory, and Hayley Parker, Director of Tandem Consultancy.

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, said: “The county has a huge amount of untapped potential for growth. The plan outlined by the council last year highlights the scope of the opportunities in the region across multiple sectors, especially technology and cyber. These events will help businesses to understand the steps they can take to take advantage of these opportunities, improve their offerings, support growth, and help boost the local economy.”

Alex Brown, CEO of Gloucester Rugby, said: “The support for Gloucestershire Growth Forum is fantastic. As a local company deeply rooted in the county, it’s exciting to see so many businesses coming together to connect and fuel growth in the region. Gloucestershire is a county which has lots to offer across multiple sectors, and the Gloucestershire Growth Forum will seek to provide practical advice to all of them, while also giving leaders the chance to network and learn about each other’s businesses.”

Alex Cottrell, Head of External Relationships at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted to support this event and play our part in connecting regional businesses with opportunities for growth. Through our dedicated Growth Hub which first opened its doors in 2014, and our unique access to academics, research, student talent and skills, our teams have supported thousands of SMEs. Our growing portfolio of services to business allows us to drive economic growth and create lasting careers and professional development opportunities for our student and business communities.”

The funds received from registration fees will also go to three charities, The King's Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Cheltenham Animal Shelter.