Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Conservative’s Dave Stewart, has confirmed a Digital Conference will take place on the Island later this year to support the growth and development of tech businesses.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has agreed to support and fund the event this Autumn and invitees will include businesses from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Topics on the agenda include starting your own business in the digital world; digital business opportunities worldwide; how to manage and protect yourself from cyber-crime and a chance to appreciate the world leading technology and employment opportunities that exist across the 2 counties.
Councillor Stewart has said:
“This is great news for the island and its desire to become a prosperous and leading hub for high-tech and digital businesses.
“We must have more opportunities here if we are to grow our economy and if we are to give our young people the careers they need.
“The event is also building on recent good work to develop business opportunities which have included a business reference group, better career development within schools and a forthcoming business analysis event for students aged 15 to 18 on the island so we can understand their career aspirations and how the business community can help them to find the right employment.”
Cllr Stewart says this latest initiative is on top of other important wins the Council has achieved for the Island since the Conservatives took over leadership in January:
“We have achieved a great deal in a short space of time. We set a lawful and balanced budget, we have gained £6 million from Government for adult social care, we have secured £9.5 million from Government for infrastructure improvements at Coppins Bridge, we have enabled agreement for development of Sandown Bay, we have approved the Newport Harbour Order to allow regeneration and we supported the saving of Newport Football Club.
“This are tangible improvements that will change lives and I’m immensely proud of all these achievements secured in such a short space of time.
“I would also like to say that, if we are elected to next month, there will be more initiatives, more help to get this island back on its feet and more help for those who are vulnerable.”
