February 2025 was another good month for IPT Fellowships with multiple individual engagements and another group visit to the London Stock Exchange. We take this opportunity to look back over the month and set out what was achieved.

On 4 February Dr Beccy Cooper MP began her IPT Fellowship with a briefing in Parliament with the Food and Drink Federation. The meeting covered the role of the FDF as a representative body, where the sector is currently at, and the challenges they are facing. For Beccy this was a great way to begin her Fellowship by giving her an overview to build on.

The same day, Mike Reader MP visited Cisco’s London HQ. Over 80% of the world’s traffic travels securely across Cisco connections, as the company leverages AI, machine learning, big data, and cloud technology to develop networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and advanced security solutions that detect and adapt to threats for customers of any size. Mike’s meeting covered a range of topics, from how Cisco support digitisation through their technology to their skills programmes. 

On 5 February, Baroness Kidron visited Adobe headquarters to explore AI's practical applications as part of her Fellowship. Adobe integrates AI through Sensei for enhanced creative tools and Firefly for generative design. Baroness Kidron is now a third of the way through her Fellowship; she aims to discuss how different companies are using AI, their perspectives on regulation, and key considerations for government policy.

Then, on 7 February Damien Egan MP continued his Fellowship on Aerospace and Defence with a visit to MBDA in Filton. Damien got an overview of their work and what they manufacture at the site, their R&D plans, their CAMM/Ceptor missile programme and their ECP engagement. As a neighbouring MP, Damien was keen to see and understand one of the manufacturing sites nearby where many of his constituents are employed.

On 10 February, Lord Gascoigne visited Heineken UK at their London HQ as part of his Fellowship on Sustainability. The visit began in their boardroom with an overview of their UK footprint and manufacturing operations, the work they are doing on DRS and EPR, and their sustainability agenda. The delegation then moved to a nearby pub, part of Star Pubs, here he got to see one of their pubs in operation and the work they are doing around responsible drinking.

Our second IPT cross-party group visit of 2025 took place on 11 February with our delegation visiting the London Stock Exchange. The visit began with the market opening ceremony at 8am, this exciting ceremony coincides with the beginning of trading on the exchange. We then moved into the boardroom where attendees participated in a roundtable discussed hosted by senior LSEG executives including the Head of Digital Market Infrastructure, Head of Sustainable Finance Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, and Head of Government Relations and Regulatory.

On 13 February, Baroness Sheehan met with Centrica in Parliament as part of her IPT Fellowship around the Future of the Oil and Gas Sector. They discussed the role that Centrica plays within the sector as an important playing in relation to gas and heating systems, the future of the sector and the next steps for gas a fuel for heating and energy.

Then, on 19 February Baroness Kidron visited the Synthesia Offices in Oxford Circus. Synthesia is the number one AI Video Communications Platform. Their AI video generator enables everyone to create professional videos without mics, cameras, actors or studios. They discussed the role of consent in their AI platform, the growing use of AI in professional services, and the current government regulations surrounding AI, as well as how these regulations may evolve in the future.

February saw Richard Holden MP continue his IPT Fellowship with a visit to Allianz in London. Through a roundtable discussion, Richard got to hear about the work they do and the products they have on offer. They discussed the impact of fraud on insurers and customers and what can be done to combat this. It concluded with how insurance is priced and the employment the sector provides to the economy.

On 26 February, Baroness Blower continued her Fellowship in the creative industries with a visit to Channel 4's London offices. Passionate about expanding opportunities for young people in creative fields, she met with the skills and apprenticeships team to explore initiatives in this area. Having now passed the halfway point of her Fellowship, Baroness Blower looks forward to the upcoming visits and engagements ahead.

Finally, IPT Fellowship in February concluded with Steve Race MP visiting the Aerospace Technology Institute on 27 February in London. This visit covered the role of the ATI and their work at present. It then led to a discussion around the work they are doing around technology and innovation within the sector and gave space for Steve to ask any questions he may have.

We would like to thank all the businesses and parliamentarians involved in February’s IPT Fellowship Programme for their support and hard work on these engagements. We look forward to continuing our engagement with parliamentarians on Fellowship programmes throughout 2025, furthering their understanding of business.