Greater Lincolnshire’s new Combined County Authority has held the first meeting of its Economic Advisory Panel, signalling a formal step toward closer collaboration between local government, industry and education. The panel has been created to inform the Authority’s economic strategy and provide structured input on the issues affecting businesses across the region.
Its remit includes advising on policy development, identifying barriers to growth, and contributing expertise on areas such as skills, transport, and housing. The group is expected to support both short-term decision-making and longer-term planning as the Authority shapes its devolution agenda. The Mayor said: “Devolution must deliver benefits for every business. As Mayor, I will champion the businesses of Greater Lincolnshire. I want to harness the expertise of the panel to help tackle key challenges such as transport, housing and skills. Together, we can close the productivity gap and ensure that Lincolnshire starts to compete on a national level.”
The panel brings together senior leaders from a range of sectors, with Lincolnshire Co-op Chief Executive Alison Hands appointed as chair. Members are tasked with acting as sector representatives, strengthening links with regional business networks, and helping to raise Greater Lincolnshire’s profile to potential investors.
The initiative follows recent activity by the Authority to showcase local innovation and reinforce the area’s ambitions for national competitiveness. The panel will continue meeting to guide priorities, support policy development, and help position Greater Lincolnshire for sustained economic growth.
Image: Back row, from left, Professor Neal Juster, Andrew Dawes, Steve Maxwell and Julian Knight. Front, from left, Katrina Pierce, Alison Hands and Andrew Ward. Image credit: Greater Lincolnshire’s Combined County Authority
