In 2017, the Theresa May government launched the Industrial Strategy, with the stated ambition to boost productivity across the UK, as well as enhancing prosperity. The Strategy aimed to work with businesses, the education sector, not-for-profits and local partnerships to create jobs and increase the earning power with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.

The launch of the Industrial Strategy, in combination with the challenges raised by the Brexit referendum, resulted in a call for a greater focus from across the sectors to address the regional divide and economic disparities currently present in society.

The events series throughout the year will look at some of the guiding principles and initiatives by the Industrial Strategy, alongside the drive from private, public and not-for-profits to look at regional growth, R&D, productivity and the wider economic picture.

WIG will provide a forum to discuss some of the most important and pressing parts of what the Industrial Strategy highlighted.

The core events within the Economic Growth and Prosperity theme will focus on:

• The Industrial Strategy
• Regional Growth
• Productivity
• R+D, Funding and the Sector Deals
• Finance and Economics