New Mayor's Business Guild launched to connect businesses with local decision making
These events are aimed to give local SMEs direct influence over policy, attract global investment, and support economic growth
The Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has launched the Mayor’s Business Guild, a new initiative to connect local employers directly with the Combined County Authority (GLCCA).
The launch, held at Thonock Park, Gainsborough, featured a high-level diplomatic delegation from Taiwan. The meeting focused on dismantling trade barriers and positioning Greater Lincolnshire as a premier destination for global investment.
Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns said:
"It was fantastic to see a full house of local SMEs at Thonock Park, Gainsborough, for our first Mayor’s Business Guild, and a real honour to host Ambassador Vincent Yao and delegates and discuss how we grab a slice of that £10 billion trade market.
"Following my mission to Taiwan, we are working to turn Smart City ideas into a Smart Rural future for Lincolnshire. We aren't just talking about growth, we are laying the groundwork to deliver it.
"We are driving growth by attracting global investment for high‑tech jobs and innovation, keeping talent local by linking skills to real opportunities, backing our farmers through agri‑tech to modernise the sector, and delivering smart infrastructure that improves rural connectivity and keeps Lincolnshire open for trade, open for investment, and putting Lincolnshire first."
The Business Guild ensures local SMEs have a "seat at the table" in shaping regional policy. Future events are scheduled for Grimsby (July 9), Lincolnshire Showground (Oct 21), and Boston (Dec 7), with further stops planned for Scunthorpe, Skegness, and Sleaford.