A business breakfast event hosted by Trafford Council was hailed a huge success with more than 100 people attending to hear speakers and network.
The event at the Snow Centre was organised by the Council’s Inclusive Economy and Communities Team.
Speakers included Karen Hirst, Project Director at Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation; Pamela Wharton, Director of Children’s Social Care at Trafford Council; and Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council. Welcomes and introductions were made by Graham Dixon from Esprit Warehousing.
Cllr Ross talked about the Council’s role in listening to stakeholders and communities at the heart of everything it does, including guiding regeneration plans.
Karen Hirst spoke about the importance of the MDC and the delivery of the new £7bn regeneration of Old Trafford, which will result in up to 15,000 new homes, including affordable, ones huge employment opportunities and working with Manchester United Football Club on its plans for a new stadium.
She said of the sports-led project:
"The team here is working together with a common goal – we want to get the best players to make this happen. It's already begun and I am going to drive it forward working with key partners, stakeholders, which includes all of you."
Before joining the MDC, Karen was managing director of Maple Grove Developments, overseeing major commercial projects in the North West, including industrial, logistics and town centre regeneration.
Pamela Wharton, Director of Children’s Social Care at the Council, gave a presentation about how proud she was of care experienced young people in Trafford and how the Council and its partners were there to support them as ‘corporate parents’
Pamela said:
"Many of you here will be parents and have children in your families. And what you want for them is exactly what we want for our care experienced young people. We want them to be successful in their lives and to go on to be successful parents and member of the community as well."
Trafford Council has made care leavers a protected characteristic, recognising that young people will face challenges and require support. Talking to businesses about what they can do to help young people is part of taking this agenda forward.
The Council is looking at continuing regular, borough-wide business network meetings as a forum for discussion between the Council, employers and workforces from all sectors.