Agent hosts Labour Fringe event in partnership with NZNW and NWBLT

Getting the UK ready for clean growth.

Over 120 influential guests from the worlds of business, politics and media joined us at our Liverpool studio for a packed-out Labour party conference Fringe event on Tuesday 30th September.

Attendees represented a range of industries, including energy, transport, connectivity and technology, many of whom had already spent a busy couple of days at the Labour Party Conference.

Our founder and CEO, Paul Corcoran, opened proceedings, highlighting the importance of collaboration across organisations and decision-makers.

Paul said: “With our partners Net Zero North West and North West Business Leadership Team, this event is, quite simply, about optimism and looking to the future, and how we can use our businesses, opportunities and power for good.

“At Agent, we are absolutely committed to the net zero agenda to make sure our country remains secure, clean, green and sustainable. The conversations to achieve this are happening across this room tonight and there is a real sense of urgency for us to really make the most of this unique opportunity in time.”

Unlocking potential.

Emma Degg, Chief Executive of North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), chaired a trailblazing panel consisting of Jane Gaston, Chief Executive of Net Zero North West (NZNW), Andrew Cooper MP (Mid-Cheshire), Patrick Hurley MP (Southport) and Victoria Merton, Director of Policy and Sustainability at Encyclis.

Emma Degg said: “Any time there is an opportunity to partner with Agent, it is always something I love to do. It is always a room full of purposeful people who want to do good things. By also partnering with NZNW, we are committed to focusing how we can make real progress in this space and drive investments into our region. We need to talk about the thousands of well-paid jobs we can create and how we can build a world that is fit for our children and their children”

Jane Gaston added: “We have a strong relationship with Agent and NWBLT because fundamentally, we all want the North West to succeed. We are determined to drive sustainable economic growth in the respective ways we can contribute. At NZNW, we want to ensure manufacturers in the North West continue to thrive throughout the energy transition.”

Last month, the UK government signed a landmark agreement with Encyclis to develop the first full-scale carbon capture storage (CCS) project for energy-from-waste. Victoria Merton, Director of Policy and Sustainability at Encyclis, spoke about this significant milestone for industrial decarbonisation and the future of the UK, with the project supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, as part of a £21.7bn carbon capture investment by the government, which will create thousands of jobs before 2050.

Looking forward, together.

Our panel explored the importance of building a cleaner future for generations to come, ensuring the clean energy revolution delivers for and is understood by everyone, with Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, speaking passionately about using language that people can get behind as the North West moves forward as a clean energy super power, creating jobs, lower energy bills and economic benefit.

The discussion also focused on realising the untapped potential of the North West, with Andrew Cooper, MP for Mid-Cheshire, describing his excitement. He said: “Cheshire is at the forefront of the net zero transition in this country. It is incredibly exciting to lead this and shout about the fantastic businesses, such as Storengy, TATA and Enclyclis, that make us a leading region.”

A powerfully positive future.

Following the panel, attendees spent the remainder of the evening networking in our studio, with senior decision-makers and business leaders coming together to discuss existing projects and investments, potential collaborations and their ambitions for the future.

Paul Corcoran concluded: “We can only achieve great things when we achieve them together, across businesses, geographies and industries. We will do amazing things when we pool our resources, our talent, our skills, our expertise and our knowledge to do what we do best: putting the great in Great Britain.”