A new group has met to try and transform the region's economic growth potential.

The first York and North Yorkshire Development Forum, held at York Biotech Campus, brought together developers behind the region’s key and strategic employment sites.

Under the Invest in York and North Yorkshire partnership, the forum, launched by mayor David Skaith, also included key partners at North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council.

This first meeting was an open discussion about challenges, the vision of the councils and the opportunities ahead including the incoming Local Growth Plan which will be launched in Spring 2025.

James Farrar, the CEO of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, chaired the meeting and Mayor David Skaith opened discussions with the developers by talking about his growth ambitions for the region.

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With the Invest in York and North Yorkshire partnership, Mayor David Skaith has singled out rail, manufacturing, creative and digital, healthy ageing and industrial biotech and agritech as sectors which are already well-established or emerging as strong with opportunities for growth.

Mayor David Skaith told the Development Forum: “York and North Yorkshire is a fantastic place to live and do business – we are well connected, we boast world-leading universities and research centres, and that is all underpinned by the people who live here and skills they provide."These strong foundations are why so many businesses have thrived here and made names for themselves across the world.

“To go for growth, we need to have the developers which facilitate the next generation of businesses at the heart of our approach, so we can keep creating opportunities and more high-quality jobs.

“Public and private sector relationships are essential for our region to reach its full potential, so that is why it is important to build connections, launch the Development Forum and help drive long-term growth.”

After the meeting Sarah Friskney, property development director at Glentrool, said the meeting was ‘absolutely first class.’

“As developers we don’t often get in the same room but it’s clear we are all in the same boat. It is all about open communication and getting everyone back around the table, so we can all get aligned and go for growth.”

Chris Davidson, regional director at Harworth Group, who is building the Gascoigne Interchange at Sherburn-in-Elmet, called the gathering ‘perfect.’

“It is the start of our journey to get all our stakeholders around a table so we can make these investments and drive growth.”