Bury Council Leader and New Chief Executive visit big industry in Bury

Friday, 24 March 2023 09:50

By David Murphy

Top image: Chief Exec Lynne Ridsdale and Cllr Eamonn O'Brien with the team at Exyte Hargreaves. Below: Chief Exec Lynne Ridsdale and Cllr Eamonn O'Brien with the team at Wallwork

This week Councillor Eamonn O’Brien and Chief Executive Lynne Ridsdale met with leading industry professionals.

Starting with a visit to the ambitious team at Wallwork, a specialist in heat treatment who have been in Bury since 1978. They currently employ 260 employees of which over 95% are from the local area.

Speaking with the Leader and Chief Executive the team discussed how to improve consultations on new initiatives to better include the voice of local businesses and employers. There was also a key focus on how to support businesses such as Wallwork go green, with the council’s target of being Carbon Neutral by 2038, the Leader and Chief Exec were keen to listen as to how Wallwork have already improved their energy efficiency through solar panels and building insulation.

Moving on to a visit with the hard-working team at Exyte Hargreaves Ltd who have been based in Bury for 150 years and specialise in bespoke ventilation. Employing over 60 local people from across the borough.

Discussed was how to better improve connections with these industry professionals and local education as Exyte has a focus on upskilling people within their company. The Leader and Chief Executive talked about how they could work together to help improve the promotion of jobs and training opportunities for young people in Bury and how regeneration will support more people getting settled in the borough through affordable housing.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council, said, “We are always delighted to visit and meet with industry giants that are right here in Bury, it is important to highlight how much industry we have in our own backyard who provide skills training and jobs for life. I look forward to more talks with businesses across Bury and how we can work in partnership to achieve the best environment for both local businesses and residents.”

Chief Executive of Bury Council, Lynne Ridsdale, said, “As the newly appointed Chief Executive I recognise Bury’s proud industrial heritage and am keen to develop relationships with local businesses. It was great to meet some of our current advanced manufacturers, particularly as they are also both exemplar employers. I am looking forward to working together to provide more opportunities for our residents from all communities.”