Partnership “key to success” at Western Gateway conference

Leaders from across the Western Gateway area gathered in Newport on the 8th March 2022 for the partnership’s first conference, Green Growth in the Western Gateway.

The sold-out conference pulled in hundreds of leaders from across business, research, and government to discuss reaching Net Zero and creating sustainable growth for the 4.4 million people who live within its boundaries and the rest of the UK.

Also speaking at the conference was the Welsh Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething MS and the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, who both welcomed the work of the cross border partnership.

Vaughan Gething MS, Welsh Minister for the Economy, said: “I look forward to seeing the work of the Western Gateway, and I particularly encourage the partnership to focus on those areas where joint working across the water and the bridge is useful and necessary.

“The Welsh Government will be willing to play our part as a genuinely constructive partner… The key to success will be a genuine partnership approach.”

Also at the conference, the partnership announced the setting up of a new independent commission to explore tidal energy from the Severn Estuary, whether this can protect the local environment and create jobs, and discussed its bid to bring the UK’s STEP programme to the area.  

Vaughan Gething MS added: “I am aware of the Western Gateway bid for the Severn estuary to be home to the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant… We have an interest in seeing that bid be successfully achieved if at all possible within the Western Gateway region. I wish you well for the announcements and the outcomes later in the Autumn.”

Secretary of State, Michael Gove MP, opened the conference with the first keynote speech, recognising the important role the partnership should play in ensuring benefits across both countries.

Michael Gove said: “It’s my job to make sure the UK government works well with the Welsh and Scottish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive, particularly on shared challenges like levelling up and the race to Net Zero. The Western Gateway has a unique role to play on these defining missions.

“It is, without doubt, a special partnership. Spanning the English and Welsh borders, it is testament to the success of devolution and the strength of our United Kingdom.

“I am very pleased that Vaughan Gething is joining you today from the Welsh Government, underlining our joint commitment to the Western Gateway’s success.”

The day played host to a whole range of speakers covering everything from strategic rail planning, investing in a sustainable green economy and having a look at some of the exciting project going on which lay the groundwork for the area to become the UK’s first Green Energy Super Cluster.

The day was sponsored by Deloitte UK.

Dave Tansley, Vice Chair at Deloitte said: “We were delighted to sponsor the Western Gateway green growth conference.  It’s been a great opportunity to connect with people from the region and take part in some lively discussions. 

“The conference has started the process to increase the visibility of the region – this will ensure we get the funding we need to level up, skill up and future proof our industries.  It’s a very exciting time and there is strength in our unity provided that we continue to focus and coordinate efforts.”

You can read more about the day on our recent blog by our partnership director, Dr Jo Dally.

Check out the full photo gallery from the event here.

Read the full speech by Michael Gove MP on our recent blog.