Huntingdonshire District Council has welcomed Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce to the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster partnership, strengthening support for Project FAIRFAX and economic growth.
The Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster is being developed around the district’s strategic assets, including RAF Wyton, RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth. Together with Project FAIRFAX and the wider North Huntingdon Opportunity Zone, the initiative aims to create a nationally significant centre for defence, intelligence, geospatial technologies, advanced manufacturing and innovation, helping to attract investment, support business growth and create high-skilled employment opportunities.
The Chamber’s involvement will help strengthen engagement with businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, promote opportunities arising from the cluster and support greater collaboration between industry, local government and defence-related organisations.
Councillor Sarah Conboy, Executive Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said:
“Partnership working is central to our vision for the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster. Bringing together organisations with shared ambitions allows us to build momentum and maximise the opportunities that projects such as Project FAIRFAX can create for Huntingdonshire and the wider region.
“The Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce’s involvement strengthens our ability to engage with industry, support local supply chains and ensure businesses are well placed to benefit from future growth and investment opportunities.
“We are delighted to welcome the Chamber as a partner and look forward to working together to deliver long-term economic benefits for our communities, businesses and residents.”
Charlotte Horobin, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster represents a significant opportunity for businesses across the region. By bringing together industry, government and defence partners, we can help local companies connect with new supply-chain opportunities, develop the skills needed for future growth and contribute to innovation in strategically important sectors.
“The Chamber is delighted to join the partnership and support the ambitions of Project FAIRFAX. We look forward to ensuring the voice of business is heard as the cluster develops and helping to translate this vision into investment, high-quality jobs and sustainable economic growth across the region.”
The Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce joins a growing partnership supporting the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster and Project FAIRFAX. Earlier this year, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Urban&Civic and Newlands Developments formally joined Huntingdonshire District Council and the Ministry of Defence in committing to the project’s future success.
To explore the opportunities and challenges facing the manufacturing, defence and security sectors in more detail, business professionals are invited to attend the Manufacturing, Defence and Security Summit on Friday 18 September at The Welding Institute (TWI), from 8.00am-1.30pm. Bringing together influential leaders, industry experts and organisations from across the region, the event will provide a platform for discussion around innovation, supply chains, skills, investment and the future growth of these strategically important sectors. Speakers include Sir Laurie Bristow, alongside other sector leaders, sharing insights into the opportunities ahead for businesses.
Read more and book your place: www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/events-training/events/manufacturing-defence-and-security-conference/