The month began with Liz Twist MP meeting with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to discuss its work in the area of wellbeing in the workplace, primarily in the construction industry. Topics of discussion included Suicide Prevention and the unique challenges SMEs face in supporting their workforces. The construction theme continued on 9 October, when Derek Thomas MP continued his Fellowship with a visit to the Morva Reach Housing Development in Long Rock, Cornwall. Derek’s visit had a primary focus on the challenges posed by the lack of skilled construction workers needed to build and maintain the housing the region needs and possible solutions.

On 10 October Selaine Saxby MP visited TT Electronics in Barnstaple. During the visit Selaine got to tour the site and gain an understanding of the operations there. She also got to discuss with local management about how they are providing skilled and well-paid jobs in the region, which is a topic of interest of her Fellowship.

Then, on 12 October, Henry Smith MP continued his Fellowship with a visit to Airbus’ Surrey Satellite Technologies facility in Guildford. The visit included a tour of the site and an understanding of its operations. Henry also heard about the important work Airbus does in observing the earth in various missions and other geospatial data. Later that day, Damien Moore MP visited MBDA at their high-tech manufacturing facility in Bolton. A major manufacturer of missile systems, their Bolton site opened in 2018 and is the home to hundreds of skilled jobs which greatly enhance the business’s design and manufacturing capabilities.

On 18 October, Baroness Bloomfield visited Siemens Energy at the University of Lincoln to see the R&D they are undertaking there in the energy sector. The visit included a tour of the workshop and discussions around CCUS, Hydrogen and low carbon energy. Her Fellowship is all about gaining a better understanding of alternative and green energy sources. Meanwhile, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle followed up her initial meeting with the Horticultural Trades Association by visiting Frognal Garden Limited in North London in all its autumn glory. The visit was an insightful look into the enormous benefits that diverse wildlife gardens bring to our environment. 

19 October saw both Henry Smith MP and Jackie Doyle-Price MP visit Inmarsat at their HQ in Old Street, London. The visit began with a tour of the control centre and a discussion about the role that satellites play in connectivity. Attendees also got to see Inmarsat’s Satellites up close through VR headsets. The visit rounded off with a discussion around wider space policy and the future of the space sector.

Baroness Sheehan continued her Fellowship with a briefing on 20 October with Wood Mackenzie in Parliament. During the briefing the role that Wood Mackenzie plays in the energy sector was discussed as well as a wider conversation about the energy transition and the role that CCUS, hydrogen, and other renewables will play in the energy mix.

Later in the month, Baroness Merron of Lincoln visited the British Museum as she continued her Fellowship about the cultural and creative industries. The Baroness learnt about the challenges the museum is facing in the post-covid world and its work and presence outside of the capital. She met with the museum’s senior directors and toured one of its many galleries.

Jackie Doyle-Price MP completed her second visit of October with a visit to Rutland Plastics in partnership with the British Plastics Federation. The central theme of the visit was advanced manufacturing and through a tour of the site and discussions with employees, Jackie got to see how they were incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques into their operations.

The month in Fellowships ended with Gary Sambrook MP visiting tyre manufacturer Michelin as he continued his Fellowship focused on UK Manufacturing. Located in Stoke-on-Trent, Michelin’s tyre factory is another example of why the West Midlands remains one of the UK’s principal manufacturing hotspots.