As local economic development budgets have been reduced, organisational structures have been redrawn, and ERDF programmes are closed down the important bottom-up activities of economic development have begun to disappear.
The hard yards of business engagement may seem resource intensive, but the activity is an essential aspect of economic development. Account management to support a business with supply chain activities, skills development and wider linkages in the local economy can assist business performance, embed an investment in an economy and allow better local economic development planning.
Good account management will make the connections – but will also secure incremental investments, identify projects for the future, and build knowledge and networks that identify additional investment projects. We are undertaking some of this work for the Cheshire & Warrington LEP and have significant experience of undertaking this on behalf of clients.
Written by Nigel Wilcock, Director of Mickledore