186. The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, Sheffield and South Yorkshire Trade Mission to the City of London, Plaisterers’ Hall, 16 May 2024

The Master Cutler of Hallamshire and the Regional Mayor of South Yorkshire (SY) invited Livery Masters to a lunchtime event, where the region outlined investment opportunities and success stories in South Yorkshire.  We received presentations from the Regional Mayor and others representing the South Yorkshire Growth Team, Sheffield Chamber, Sheffield Property Association, Yorkshire AI Labs, research institutions and several regional manufacturers.  It was fascinating to hear how the city and region has evolved from the traditional industries of the region to cutting edge technologies and innovations, ln many cases building on the skills developed from past enterprises.


 In a series of discussions I heard all about the amazing new composite material and metal technologies used in turbines – aero engines and wind.  The challenge with composite materials is developing options for their end of life reuse or disposal.  I also head about the retrofitting of electric power trains to diesel vehicles of all sizes, where the use of electric propulsion reduces costs and improves reliability, especially for shorter mileages such as local delivery or waste collection.  I also heard the frustrations of the industry around the government U-turn on the roll-out of electric vehicles which has put many companies out of business and created major uncertainties in local authorities and operators.  Investors and business above all want certainty and the current political, investment and business environment is very unhelpful for future growth and prosperity.

After the Yorkshire representatives had spoken, the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, responded, drawing on the “Connect to Prosper” theme of his Mayoralty.  He stressed the value of working together - universities, local authorities, investors and business.  He welcomed the delegation to the World’s Coffee House.

I should like to share the promotion for the region:

Sheffield and South Yorkshire (SY) is home to the first Innovation Zone announced in UK; its manufacturers are an important part of the global supply chain and it is a recognised innovation hot spot. 

The Region is famed for its manufacturing prowess and is home to an Innovation Zone based around the Advanced Machining Research Centre (AMRC) and the Nuclear AMRC.  It is home to companies integral to the supply chain, such as Swann Morton, Sheffield Forgemasters, Forged Solutions, Magtec, ITM Power and TWINKL.  The applied research from the research facilities flows into both spin outs and well-known names in the Region, such as Boeing, McClaren, Rolls-Royce and UKAEA.  It has a well-trained population with two world class universities, excellent vocational colleges and a depth of manufacturing, creative, digital and IT skills.  Further information about Sheffield and SY as an investment and manufacturing destination can be found at:

https://invest.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk

www.welcometosheffield.co.uk

www.sheffieldpropertyassociation.com

www.madeinsheffield.org

www.cutlers-hallamshire.org.uk  

www.scci.org.uk/about/


 Congratulations to the Master and Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire for a very successful and inspiring event.

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