Reviewing the Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force

Steer Economic Development was commissioned to conduct a headline review of the Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force (MTF). The MTF was set up in 2017 with three defined objectives:

• Enabling replacement job creation in M&EA, following those lost directly, indirectly, or through induced effects as a result of JTI Gallaher’s and Michelin’s disinvestment in the Borough;
• Ensuring that the area’s manufacturing expertise was not lost, and developing plans that  would improve  the area’s competitiveness to protect and grow the economy; and
• Helping realise an inspiring vision for the area as an entrepreneurial, ambitious and forward-thinking economy which was n welcoming of business, committed to investment and working to achieve the best outcomes for its firms, residents and communities.

In the context of these objectives, the review worked to understand:

• Whether the MTF was/remained the most appropriate vehicle to deliver the above objectives
• How successful the MTF and its parts been in achieving its objectives
• Where success had been less than expected in terms of realising objectives
• The lessons that MTF might take forward at this point

This project was managed by Caitriona Lacy and directed by Simon Pringle, and was delivered in August-October 2019, with a final presentation by Simon to the Steering Group on 5 November 2019.