Chloe is responsible for the end-to-end operations of the West of England, Gloucestershire and Swindon and Wiltshire LSIPs, including managing the LSIP team and our core deliverables (1-2-1 in-depth discussions and events). She oversees our comms strategy to circulate relevant news about the LSIP project as well as opportunities for businesses in the three regions to engage with the project and be given a platform to voice their future workforce and business growth requirements. She's also responsible for designing, producing and delivering our full events programme ranging from employer roundtables to industry topical conferences that align with the skills needs of companies in the region.
We chatted to Chloe to find out more about her background, her current role at Business West and what she thinks would be the perfect Sunday.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.
I actually studied languages at university – French and Portuguese – in Southampton and worked for a year abroad in an international relations office in Lisbon. During my time at university, I had a few part-time roles in Marketing, Comms and Events Admin. After uni, I then went on to work in events, travelling on various delegate trade missions for government contracts to the likes of Dubai and Paris to support UK businesses export their goods. I moved on to work in Higher Education at the University of Bristol Students’ Union as a Commercial and Strategic Project Manager, leading the enterprise function of the organisation and project managing the annual Welcome and Refreshers Fairs for the university. I joined Business West in November 2021 to work on the Local Skills Improvement Plan Trailblazer with Matt and Lauren and haven’t looked back! I also currently volunteer in my spare time as a Volunteer Supporter at Victim Support, helping the Avon and Somerset team with their events, marketing and admin needs.
What is your current role at Business West?
As Project and Events Manager at Business West, my role is very varied (and very busy)! I manage all end-to-end operations within the three Local Skills Improvement Plan projects, including delivery of our core outputs and I am responsible for keeping the LSIP team of 13 on track. I line manage our Engagement Team and Project Coordinator, which is one of my favourite parts of the job, working closely with bright and brilliant colleagues. I create and programme all events, focus groups, 1-2-1s and forums for the projects, ensuring we are following the Department for Education key performance indicators, that employers are getting the right support they need and that we are obtaining the most relevant and up-to-date data for our research. I also project manage other side projects internally at Business West to support our wider Business West organisational goals and objectives.
What are the 3 key aims of your day-to-day work?
1. Supporting employers of all shapes and sizes across the three regions to more easily understand and navigate the local skills system and get the support they need to learn, work and thrive.
2. Gain a deep understanding of employer skills needs and articulate them to providers in ways that are meaningful and actionable to ensure that provision meets the needs of industry and current and future demand.
3. Facilitate and enable collaborative action in the region, using our experience and skillset as a Chambers of Commerce to bring together local partners, employers and providers to support the delivery of our project and ensure that we are all working together in a region-wide collective approach.
What is the most interesting part of your job as Project and Events Manager for LSIP team?
The variation. New challenges and experiences arise every day and I can easily say that no two days ever look the same in my role. At the end of the month, I am chairing a roundtable for DCMS and the Secretary of State for all LSIPs nationwide, which I am very much looking forward to – I have thoroughly enjoyed planning this session and arranging speakers to showcase the fantastic creative cluster that we have in the West of England as well as putting to the forefront the strong collaboration and great working relationships collectively we have in the region. Although I have to say, my absolute favourite part of my job is getting to learn from the inspiring employers we speak to and be immersed into sectors I never thought I’d get the opportunity to work in, from Retrofitting in Construction, to innovative Health Technology and robotics, film and television production and farming for the future! It has definitely enhanced my small talk at social gatherings…
How can businesses get involved with the LSIPs?
There’s lots of ways businesses can get involved! You can book a 1-2-1 chat over a cuppa with one of our lovely Business Engagement Team members, or book a Skills Clinic with one of our experienced and friendly Skills Advisors, Barry or Fiona. We also regularly host a packed programme of events across a variety of sectors from Gloucestershire, to Swindon and Wiltshire and the West of England – both online and face-to-face, if you’re still suffering from zoom fatigue! I am currently behind the scenes curating our year 3 programme of events but keep your eyes peeled to our Eventbrite page for updates. Or – if you’d like to feedback on any of our work, reports (all live on our websites), priority findings or if you’d just like to have your voice heard, you can email us at LSIP@businesswest.co.uk to book in a chat with me or another member of the team, we encourage collaboration and feedback at every stage of the LSIP so do reach out and get involved!
Tell us about your perfect Sunday – what would it involve?
I’d start the day with a morning swim - in a perfect world, somewhere hot and sunny but in reality, it will be the local leisure centre! Then I’d go out for brunch with my husband and have lots of coffee, before a big dog walk somewhere green with blue skies. Returning home to cook a homely dinner before putting on a good TV series and playing a board game (and if it was a perfect Sunday- I’d win!).
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