News & views

7 February 2022

2021 - a year of progress for LBV and its members

2021 was another challenging year for many of us but a year of real progress for LBV. Here are some of the highlights:

• 36% increase in the number of members
• Growing influence and collaboration with key stakeholders e.g. recently announced Levelling Up Funds
• Delivery of nine events with input from senior representatives and stakeholders
• Growing support package for members with website profile and ‘Your Voice’

During 2021, LBV’s links with local business groups and key stakeholders such as East Midlands Chamber, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, FSB, Leicester City Council and BID Leicester had never been stronger, putting LBV in a unique position to help Leicester and beyond be a great place for business.

Helping Leicester City Council to land successful Levelling Up funding bids

In his March 2021 Budget speech, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled his £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund, intended for investments in regional infrastructure projects such as the regeneration of town centres and high streets and upgrades to local transport systems.

In June 2021, Leicester City Council submitted its bid for approximately £39m from the Levelling Up Fund to finance three development projects to help drive the city’s economic recovery.

LBV extended its help by submitting letters of support for each project to accompany the City Council’s bid. The move underlined LBV’s commitment to amplify the voice of the Leicestershire business community across the different networks of strategic stakeholders in the city and county.

The end of October saw the announcement of the first round of successful bids, which included a total of £45.5million for Leicester.

City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Engaging with LBV is an effective way for us to hear the collective voice of local business. This is integral to supporting local businesses and helping to shape the future direction of our proud and self-confident city.”

Great turnout for Members’ Dinner

To thank all of our members for their support throughout the difficult year, LBV’s annual Members’ Dinner was held at The Belmont Hotel in Leicester on 18 November 2021. Over 65 members and their guests joined LBV for the dinner with guest speaker, City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby. The event marked LBV’s 20th anniversary and was also the closing event at this year’s Leicester Business Festival.

Anjuu awarded MBE

We were delighted that Anjuu Trevedi, LBV Board Director and the Head of Regional Business Engagement at the University of Leicester until January 2022, was awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours list, for services to business innovation and to the economy in Leicestershire. Anjuu was recognised for the extraordinary contributions she has made, above and beyond the call of duty in her work.

Be part of a growing business voice

Becoming a LBV member means you are part of a growing business community with a growing voice. To find out more, go to www.lbv.co.uk/membership