Highlights from today's event to engage entrepreneurs
Giving entrepreneurs the chance to have their say on the future of the local economy, Hertfordshire CEO, Neil Hayes engaged fifty and more businesses at the biz4Biz event 'Entrepreneurs are Essential for Society' held at Knebworth Barns.
This formed part of a series of conversations that have been taking place across the county to fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing those who live, work, and invest in Hertfordshire. From business events, such as this one, to workshops with a range of stakeholders, and online surveys, Hertfordshire Futures is engaging widely to ensure a diverse range of views inform the strategy.
The business sector was ably represented today with accounting, digital and technology, staffing solutions, consultancy, data processing, manufacturing and more!
First to speak was Peter Livesey from Espirit Digital, Stevenage. His 'Technology for the World' was inspirational. Followed by Lyndsay Wood, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, then Tim and Sarah Millward from Extrastaff, St Albans whose values-led recruitment organisation demonstrated magnificent growth over a challenging period. Future-forward, inspirational businesses.
When Neil stood to speak, the audience were engaged and considering some of the themes of the day, AI and technology featuring strongly.
Neil Hayes, CEO of Hertfordshire Futures, said:
"We are consulting more broadly than ever before to truly reflect the diversity of our communities and acknowledge and recognise the unique challenges they present. This economic strategy goes beyond what we have collectively achieved before to create a broader definition of socio-economic success that delivers for the many, not the few."
Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of Hertfordshire Futures and Chairman and Founder of biz4Biz, said:
"I'm delighted that so many diverse views from across the business community could be heard today. This event has provided an opportunity for businesses to provide early input into the strategic themes of the economic strategy. We aimed to invoke inspiration to create aspiration.”