Presenting 'Amplify', the economic development strategy for Mid & East Antrim

Throughout 2016, Simon Pringle, then with SQW Ltd, was responsible for developing ‘Amplify’, the local economic strategy for Mid and East Antrim. That work involved the development of a detailed base of socio-economic evidence, the production of jobs and growth forecasts through to 2030 (these allowing for recent local job losses), defining six key Strategic Imperatives, and the design of 15 high-profile actions to take the strategy forward.

In September 2016, Simon, now at Steer Economic Development, was invited back by the Council to present the finalised strategy to Elected Members, the Mayor, and key Council senior executives. The session provided an open and constructive opportunity to discuss the key strategic challenges flowing from the work and discuss the issues collaboratively to move the strategy from concept to reality. 

Following the session, Simon was commissioned non-competitively, by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to provide executive support to relaunching the Mid & East Antrim’s Manufacturing Task Force. The Task Force was charged with responding to some 2,700 jobs lost locally, following divestments by Michelin and JTI Gallagher at their local manufacturing plants in Ballymena.

The closeout presentation assignment had a duration of two weeks, involving detailed workshop preparation, delivery, and subsequent feedback.