It was an absolute pleasure to attend the Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme Conference last week at Lancaster University!

The programme itself has been running for 17 years and is directed by Teaching Fellow, Brian Gregory. They host 90 business owners across the globe, reaching from Lancaster to Africa, Europe, Asia, Canada, America and New Zealand.

The Entrepreneur’s in Residence support both teaching and research at Lancaster University, breathing life into academic theories that are taught and lending their experience to the world renowned research that is undertaken in Lancaster.

Professor Jan Bebbington gave an incredible speech on how global businesses are using Artificial Intelligence to track and boost global food security.

I was delighted to open the conference and speak about my parliamentary work on the Environmental Audit Committee and EFRA as well as, sustainability and how businesses are using technology to adapt, in order to reach net Zero targets. Also, I was honoured to announce that the EiR’s have been developing their local programme into a Global Entrepreneur is Residence Programme where universities from across the world will be inducted to the programme with the aim that the depth of knowledge and experience, led by Lancaster University in this field is extended and cements their place as the worlds leading experts in this field.

I would like to extend thanks to Brian Gregory for inviting me to open the conference this year and wish all the Entrepreneurs in Residence every success going forward.