Coventry & Warwickshire Business Guide 2017

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They contribute financially towards the initiative which has
seen the area take its story to London, the establishment of a
successful and influential network, and led to the area featuring
across the national and international press.
Recently, the 100th Champion signed up in support of the
group’s efforts and Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations
at Jaguar Land Rover and chairman of the Champions board,
believes that was a significant step.
“Very basically we are a network of around 100
businesses and organisations who want to see the
best for the area,” he said.
“We all pay a contribution and while there are clear
benefits, the main reason people join is that they know
we are working towards one aim – and that is pushing
the assets of Coventry &Warwickshire.
Without exception Champions are 'can-do' people
who want to see new and existing businesses invest
and grow in Coventry &Warwickshire and are
prepared to do something to make that happen.
To have created such a strong network from a
standing start is a superb achievement and to have
had the 100th Champion sign on is fantastic. There is
a real momentum about Champions, we are making
great strides and want to attract more companies of
all sizes and fromall sectors.”
COVENTRY &
WARWICKSHIRE CHAMPIONS
Coventry & Warwickshire Champions has hit an important landmark in helping the area go from
strength to strength. The Champions is a group of businesses and organisations that have come
together to help promote the area and build on four key themes.
The bi-monthly meetings are attended by around 150 leading
business people from across the area and have attracted a
string of blue-chip speakers ranging from national CEOs,
leading national media figures and ground breaking SMEs –
all with a local connection. The news they impart is then spread
by the Champions and their networks.
One area of concentration for the Champions – which operates
under the auspices of the Coventry &Warwickshire Local
Enterprise Partnership – was Events Central.
Ratcliffe explained: “There was a strong feeling that while
we were attracting events, we really should be doing
much more. We have a wide variety of venues that are
right in the centre of the country and less than an hour
from London. We have assets that many areas of the
country would give their right arm for.”
That push has led directly to two new events which are
achieving those exact aims. MotoFest, a two-day annual event
which brings 125,000 people into the centre of Coventry, and
the Rising Global Peace Symposium are now established in the
calendar and achieving those aims.
Champions also took Coventry &Warwickshire’s story to a
selected audience of investors at the Shard in London, and
there are currently plans to replicate the event at other locations.
Ratcliffe added: “The Champions is a superb example of
an area helping itself. We knew there was a job we could
do if we garnered enough backing. We didn’t expect
anyone to do it for us, and think people have reacted to
that ‘can-do’ approach.” ‘‘
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For more information, please contact
Coventry &Warwickshire Champions Manager,
Nic Erskin