Neil Evans, Chairman of the Burnley Bondholders and Managing Director at VEKA plc, joined local MP Antony Higginbotham at a Downing Street reception for businesses, representing Burnley and Padiham.
Hosted by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP, the reception recognised the valuable contributions businesses make within their communities and saw hundreds come from across the country.
Representing over 200 local business members, the Bondholders Chairman was invited to highlight the diverse range of enterprises operating within the borough and to speak about the business environment in Burnley and Padiham.
Burnley & Padiham MP Antony Higginbotham, who extended the invitation, said:
Our area boasts so many exceptional businesses, spanning aerospace, automotive, energy, retail, hospitality and much more. And together they make Burnley & Padiham what it is - providing employment for our friends and family. But that doesn’t just happen. It involves people taking the plunge to set up their business, to drive it forwards, to grow, and to make it a success. That’s why we should be rightly proud of the huge contribution the private sector makes.”
To pick just one company to invite to this event would have been near on impossible. That’s why I extended the invitation to Neil as Chairman of the Burnley Bondholders, which boasts over 200 local business members - from Crow Wood to AMS Neve, Fagan and Whalley to Door4. And not forgetting that as MD of Veka PLC, Neil is responsible for being one of our largest employers.
Mr Higginbotham affirmed his dedication to championing Burnley and Padiham's businesses in Parliament, acknowledging their pivotal role in fostering economic growth and prosperity within the area. And extended his gratitude to the Burnley Bondholders for their unwavering commitment to raising the profile of local businesses within the borough.
Neil Evans shared his enthusiasm for attending the event, stating,
I was very happy to accept the invitation from Antony to attend the Local Business Champions event at 10 Downing Street to represent both VEKA plc and the wider Burnley Bondholders community.
As well as such a once in a lifetime experience it was also great to spend some time inside Parliament and to discuss with Antony some of the challenges faced by businesses and ideas on what could be done to bring positive change.
With major infrastructure works taking place across the town Antony is keen to make sure businesses have the right environment to flourish. This includes ensuring that the skills businesses are calling out for are met through expanding the boroughs educational offering, and making sure that work always pays.
Commenting on the event in Number 10 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt added:
Local businesses are vital for our economy, our day to day lives and our communities. Creating jobs, supporting growth in a huge variety of sectors, their tireless hard work does not go unnoticed.
As Chancellor, I see the contribution that local businesses make across the country to all our cities, towns and villages and this is something we can all be proud of. Not only do they bring immeasurable value to the economy, but they are also the heart and soul of so many of our communities.
