Nigel Davies said: "The thriving professional community are dynamic Blackburn stakeholders who are able to grasp the far-reaching opportunities, and make that commitment to build and sustain a skilled and motivated workforce, further shape skills and education across the borough, and harness the existing and future talent, enthusiasm and passion.
"It was a pleasure to be the guest speaker at the launch of Blackburn Business Professionals; I feel the opportunities this style of network supports can only allow for increased collaboration that’s enhances the betterment of Blackburn."More than 50 partners, managing directors and decision makers from Blackburn's professional community attended the invitation-only lunch.
Local bankers, accountants, solicitors, IFAs, insolvency practitioners, surveyors, commercial property agents, developers, architects and insurers were all represented.In conjunction with UCLan and Blackburn College, a number of students wishing to enter the professional services sector were also invited to attend.
The group's aim is to provide an opportunity to promote the professional service community within the town. It will facilitate discussions and identify common concerns, while promoting to inward investors and strengthening links with groups such as the council, theatre, college and Blackburn Rovers.Phil Stephenson, partner at KBL, said: “The Blackburn Business Professionals lunch is much more than a networking event. There is a tremendous amount of expertise in this room with immense pride amongst Blackburn’s thriving professional services community.
"The aim of these lunches is to further the links between the service sectors and strengthen existing relationships but also to create a genuine forum for discussion amongst Blackburn’s leading professionals."