Blackburn Youth Zone, Youth Zone Darwen, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Lancashire Business View joined forces to share their perspective and knowledge on the ‘UK Energy Crisis’ with the Blackburn and Youth Zone Darwen Patron network.
Hosted by Richard Slater from Lancashire Business View, he welcomed to the panel; Andrew Graham, MBE CEO at Graham & Brown, Miranda Barker, OBE CEO East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Ebrahim Sidat, CEO at Signature Tax, David Ford from Businesswise Solutions and Nicolas Butcher from Emerson & Renwick.
Guests were welcomed to the Supporters’ Event by Blackburn Youth Zone Trustee Marcus Saxton; he highlighted the importance of bringing the business community together to secure a better future for young people in Blackburn with Darwen.
The business networking lunch was attended by Blackburn Youth Zone and Youth Zone, Darwen Patrons and Supporters, including Accrol Papers, Blackburn Chemicals, Fagan & Whalley, Pets Choice, Senator, Nybble IT, Suez, Watson Ramsbottom and many more.
The panellist gave their perspective on exploring the role energy has played in the past, with their view on current market trends and the importance of energy right now; it also included what might happen in the future from both a cost and environmental perspective regarding policy, legislation, markets and support.
‘We recognise if we don’t do it now, we will limit our future opportunities’ was the message from Nicholas Butcher from Emerson & Renwick.
Wayne Wild, Trustee of Youth Zone, then presented certificates to new Patrons from Blackburn and Darwen and gave an update to the Patrons on how the Patrons of Darwen are supporting the transformation of the town.
The event then came to a close with Hannah Allen, CEO of Youth Zone and Rt Hon Jack Straw, Chairman, informing the local businesses how Blackburn and Youth Zone Darwen will be there for young people, whatever it takes to support them through the cost of living crisis.
Rt Hon Jack Straw Chairman of Blackburn Youth Zone and Youth Zone Darwen said:
“We are proud to bring together over 80 local businesses who share the same vision to invest in the next generation; we really value our Patron network and want to be there as a network for guidance and support to all of the East Lancashire Business Leaders.’
If you are interested in finding more information and supporting Blackburn Youth Zone and Youth Zone Darwen, please contact melanie.thomas@backburyz.org.
Cummins Mellor Group are also hosting their annual BYZ Quiz this year, taking place at Accrington Stanley Football Club on the 24th of November; if you are interested in entering a team, please contact melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org
