September 11, 2024
Emily Smith attends inaugural event bringing together regional business leaders
Michael Smith Switchgear was invited to attend the inaugural event of the Midlands King’s Awards Network (MKAN).
Operations and Finance Director, Emily Smith, spent the day networking with other regional business leaders as the network met for the first time.
The event, at the University of Birmingham, convened leading businesses from across the region representing over £7bn in turnover and £294m of investment.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise is recognised as the highest honour for a UK business.
The Midlands is home to more King’s Awards recipients over the past five years than any other region outside London and the South East, highlighting how the region stands at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.
The Assembly symbolised a powerful coming together of many of these pioneering businesses, setting a new standard for collaboration in pursuit of economic growth across the region.
Emily said: “It was a privilege to be in the room with so many inspiring business leaders.
“The event really showcased what the Midlands has to offer and hearing from business owners and representatives that have experienced King’s Award success was really motivating.
“We recognise at MSSL how important collaboration is and the potential that the Midlands has to offer. I’m looking forward to seeing what the network can achieve as it develops.”
The Midlands King’s Awards Network, arranged by the Midlands Engine Partnership in collaboration with regional Lord-Lieutenants and government partners, represents a groundbreaking initiative.
It aims to harness the collective power of the region’s most successful enterprises, driving investment, economic growth and social mobility - a testament to the thriving ecosystem of innovation and enterprise that defines the Midlands.
The first meeting programme included a series of dynamic panel discussions and interviews, each aligned with the Midlands Engine Partnership’s drivers for inclusive economic growth – Investment, Business, Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity.
The insightful discussions featured numerous award-winning businesses from across the Midlands, designed to inspire and enable new collaborations that will drive investment and growth and unlock greater opportunities for the region.
