Business leaders and major employers across Selby and the surrounding area have agreed three priority areas for practical action over the next 12 months, marking the first formal meeting of the Selby Connected Business Panel.

Twenty representatives from some of the area's major employers and organisations, including Altrad, Aviva, BAM Infrastructure, Drax and Smailes Goldie, joined public and voluntary sector partners for the inaugural meeting, hosted by Drax in September.

The panel agreed to develop practical projects focused on employability, high street vibrancy, and health and wellbeing. Work will now take place to turn the discussions into activity such as mentoring for small businesses based on Selby High Street, structured and targeted work experience and a one stop support and referral system for Selby residents.
The meeting marks the next stage of Selby Connected, the partnership led by Up for Yorkshire and Drax which connects the resources and expertise of local organisations with needs identified within Selby's communities.

Tom Meares, Head of Community at Up for Yorkshire, said: “There has already been a great deal of work behind the scenes to understand where the needs are and build relationships between organisations across Selby. This first formal Business Panel was about moving that work forward into action.

There are now 20 people around the table representing organisations with very different expertise, resources and networks. The next step is to use that collective strength to develop practical projects that respond to what communities have told us they need.”

Nick Robinson, Community and Education Manager at Drax, said: “Since Selby Connected was launched, the aim has always been to get local businesses, charities, community organisations and public sector partners around a table so we can tackle the issues our area faces.

“Our first business panel meeting proved just how committed the partnership is to improve the area for people who live and work here. We have already seen the importance of pooled resources and facilities amongst the partnership, now it is about turning that momentum into projects that produce tangible benefits for Selby and the wider community.”
The Business Panel sits at the strategic centre of Selby Connected and will help guide where businesses and partner organisations can contribute investment, expertise, facilities, networks and other resources.

Work will now continue on projects across the three priority areas ahead of the next Business Panel meeting in December.