Maya Ellis MP champions Lancashire businesses in Westminster meeting with Business Secretary

By Antao Greer Communications

13 May 2025

MP Maya Ellis hosted the Preston Business Roundtable with representatives from Seriun, Interact Digital, Sairo, Teleplan Forsberg, Fuuse, Knight Frank and Plexal.jpg.jpg

Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis has met with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, to raise the concerns of local business owners and discuss how national policy can better support small and medium-sized firms across the constituency.

The meeting, held in Westminster, gave Mrs Ellis the chance to put Ribble Valley businesses front and centre, relaying views from retailers, manufacturers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who are working hard to keep the local economy thriving.

It follows a series of events and business visits across Ribble Valley, Lancashire, and the wider North West over recent months.

Visits by Mrs Ellis include Baxi and Bowker Group, both in Bamber Bridge, Massey Feeds in Walton Le Dale, Eight at Gazegill in Gisburn, Panthera Biopartners and Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, both in Fulwood, James’ Places in Whalley, Daniel Thwaites’ Ribble Valley Brewery in Mellor Brook, Goodshaw Farm in Knowle Green and BAE Systems in Samlesbury.

Mrs Ellis has also been hearing from companies at events including the Downtown in Business’ Leaders Lunch in Mellor Brook and a technology business roundtable in Preston attended by representatives from Seriun, Interact Digital, Sairo, Teleplan Forsberg, Fuuse, Knight Frank and Plexal.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Ellis said: “It was great to sit down with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Small Business Minister Gareth Thompson to talk about the real-world issues our local firms are facing - and the opportunities they see for growth if they’re backed by the right policies.

“We discussed the government’s forthcoming Industrial Strategy and how it can reflect the needs of regions like ours. I pressed for simpler procurement rules to help local SMEs win public sector contracts, more investment into Lancashire, and stronger local powers over skills and infrastructure through the devolution deal.

“We also touched on how we can modernise the school curriculum to encourage creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurship from a young age - key skills for the economy of tomorrow.

“I was encouraged that both ministers welcomed the feedback and recognised how important regional perspectives are in shaping policy that works for everyone.”

Mrs Ellis will continue to visit businesses across Ribble Valley. She encouraged others to contact her constituency office to share their views or register interest in future events. 

“Having productive conversations with the doers on the ground is one of the best parts of my job,” she said. “These are the voices of people creating jobs and driving our local economy. I’ll keep working closely with Ribble Valley businesses to ensure they’re not just heard - but supported.”

Latest news

1

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

2

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

3

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 Sep 2025

4

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual NW Mutual chief exec Dave Burke and Valerie Wise and Matthew Brown from Preston City Council

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual

08 Sep 2025

5

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results Jeremy Hartley

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results

08 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin