Gatwick Airport to work closely with Business South for “Joining the Dots in Surrey” conference

  • Gatwick announced as headline sponsor of Business South Annual Conference 2017
  • Event will bring together business leaders from across Surrey to collaborate on continued prosperity in the region

London, 2017-Feb-03 — /Travel PR News/ — Gatwick Airport is proud to announce it is to be the headline sponsor of this year’s ‘Joining the Dots in Surrey’ conference, organised by Business South.

The conference, taking place on 24th February at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, will bring together business leaders from across Surrey to look at how working together can help address the key themes of People, Place and Prosperity in the region.

An exciting and diverse programme of speakers from the region has been arranged with keynote speaker announced as David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times.

Gatwick is an important focus for the South East region’s economic activity and is a major employment site, generating around 24,000 direct on-airport jobs and a further 12,000 airport related jobs in the local area.

The airport related supply chain also plays an important role in the economic success of the region and Gatwick Airport Limited currently spends around a third of its total procurement spend (£74m) with businesses in the local area. We work with a variety of partners to support the growth and success of local businesses, including business to business networking.

Furthermore, 2017 will see the highest level of capital investment in the airport’s history with £250m worth of infrastructure projects planned for delivery, part of the £1.2bn capital investment plan that we will deliver over the next six years.

Alison Addy, Gatwick’s Head of Community Engagement, said:

“Gatwick is proud to be the headline sponsor of this year’s conference and we look forward to working closely with Business South to ensure it is a useful and engaging event for all who attend.”

Local businesses are very important to the airport and we participate in these activities to build a strong local supply chain, boost business and strengthen opportunities for employment and skills development.”

Andy Swift, Surrey Area Director, Business South says:

“This conference is the first of its kind, in that we are trying to connect business leaders, government organisations and community groups to champion Surrey as a great area to invest, live and work in. Collectively working together to ensure economic growth and prosperity, we want to involve as many people as possible and give them a voice in shaping priorities for Surrey.”

Event Details:
Friday 24th February 2016, 09:00 – 13:00
Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XZ

To register your interest for the event, visit: www.businesssouth.org.

About London Gatwick

Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the most efficient single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 228 destinations in 74 countries for 43 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South East region, generating around 24,000 on-airport jobs and a further 12,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is south of Central London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express, and is part of the Oyster contactless payment network. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.

About Business South

Business South is an independent and influential organisation operating with a proven track record in the South Central region. (A recent Business South survey revealed 85% of Champions did business with other Champions or made valuable connections).

Our aim is to connect leading employers to promote the place, our people & champion a prosperous economy. We are currently working in partnership with Surrey County Council to develop a Champion programme in Surrey.

Business South is a not for profit social enterprise and relies on the generous support of the Business Champions to help promote its agenda.

Business South assists businesses looking for a voice on regional issues; wishing to collaborate for ideas and innovation and wanting to further develop their credentials as good corporate citizens.

Find out more at www.businesssouth.org or contact Andy Swift Area Director Business South Surrey via andy@businesssouth.org.

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Media enquiries:
GATWICK AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE
Tel: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
Email: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com

Source: Gatwick Airport