He said: “The National Industrial Strategy high-growth sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, life sciences and data and tech.
“These are sectors in which the strength of Coventry and Warwickshire is world class – both in the research work carried out at the University of Warwick and other institutions, and in businesses large and small across the region.
“This is a great opportunity for our area to be central to the government's plans.”
Mr Clark’s comments were echoed throughout the event, which welcomed more than 150 senior business leaders from across the region.
One of the key speakers was Natalie Dowsett, Founder and Chief Operating Officer at OX Delivers, a pioneering automotive start-up based in Leamington Spa.
The business, which provides electric trucks to improve transport and trade across Africa, is expanding its operations with a move to larger premises in Harbury Lane.
Natalie, a former Jaguar Land Rover trainee, explained how the business is leveraging local expertise to grow its global impact.
“When we founded OX Delivers, there was nowhere we would rather have started than Coventry and Warwickshire, she said.
“The depth of the supply chain and the calibre of talent here are exceptional – many of our team have come through JLR, HORIBA MIRA and other key regional players.
“Our all-electric OX4 trucks are helping businesses in Africa access safe, reliable and affordable transport. With our new facilities, we’ll have the capacity to produce 400 vehicles a year – a significant step forward in our mission to transform trade in underserved markets.”
The event also featured James Scott, Group Director of Strategy and Planning at Urban&Civic, who gave an insightful update on the progress of the Houlton development near Rugby. The urban extension is bringing forward thousands of new homes and infrastructure, supporting the region’s long-term growth.
He said: "The Coventry and Warwickshire Champions Breakfast has become legendary within the region. If the pull of that wasn't enough, then the opportunity to speak alongside Rt Hon Greg Clark and at the University of Warwick was unmissable.
“The event exemplified the dynamism of this part of the country. It was great to be able to explain how the growth of Urban&Civic was inextricably linked to Coventry and Warwickshire as well as how we've been transforming Houlton, from a BT legacy site, into a thriving new community."
Other contributors included Professor Emma Flynn, Provost at the University of Warwick, who highlighted the university’s 60th anniversary and its £1.3 billion annual contribution to the regional economy.
Craig Humphrey, CEO of the CW Growth Hub Group – of which Champions is a part – said the event showcased the breadth of innovation and collaborative strength across the region.
“This was a Champions event that brought to life the potential of Coventry and Warwickshire,” he said.
“From transformative automotive technologies and strategic urban development to world-class research and innovation, the region continues to lead from the front.”
